When traveling, whether it’s for business or recreational purposes, it can be difficult to pay equal attention to your oral care, being out of your comfort zone and wanting to let go of your usual responsibilities. But this shouldn’t be an excuse, as your oral hygiene doesn’t need a vacation.
Before you go on vacation, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit to your dentist, who will check your entire oral cavity to make sure you don’t have any problems that could spoil your vacation.
When packing your toothbrush, it is important to keep it away from other personal items. You can use zipper bags or different caps specially designed for the brush head. The toothbrush should also be taken out of your luggage and stored so that the bristles dry. If you keep your toothbrush bristles damp, there is a risk that bacteria will attach and multiply much faster.
When we go on vacation, we often change our eating habits. We tend to indulge much more, but the frequency of exposure to sugar is very important for oral health. Try to limit your teeth’s exposure to cariogenic foods as much as possible. Each exposure will make a difference to the health of your teeth.
It is helpful to always have sugar-free chewing gum on hand, this can be used after every meal rich in cariogenic foods and brushing is not possible. Chewing gum will remove food debris and stimulate salivary flow, thus helping to prevent tooth decay. Chewing gum can also help relieve the pressure in your ears during flight.
To make sure you have room in your luggage for everything you need to clean your teeth (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash), you can buy them in a mini version, specially designed for travelers.
If you’ve left your toothbrush at home, you can rinse vigorously with water to remove some of the bacteria that cause tooth decay. You can also put toothpaste on a clean piece of fabric or clean finger and rub your teeth in this way until the next day when you can buy a toothbrush.
If you find that your tap water is not safe to drink, it is advisable to use bottled water to protect your oral cavity from any possible illness.
Regardless of where you go and how busy your schedule is, make sure you follow your regular dental routine. If you take a vacation from following oral care habits, then you may continue this bad habit after returning home. Brushing can also be a great way for the family to get together at the end of the day and create a plan for the next vacation day.
In case of dental emergencies, always pack pain medication in your luggage or contact your dentist for advice on how to deal with the problem you are experiencing. To avoid such situations, avoid eating hard, sticky foods and stick to a routine of 2 brushings a day.
