Although taking a trip away from home and the office causes many people to slack on their good habits (eating more dessert, temporarily pausing exercise programs, etc.), your great oral hygiene habits shouldn’t take a vacation, too. In fact, since you may be indulging your sweet tooth a little more, this is an even more important time to keep up with brushing and flossing. Here are some tips on how to ensure your mouth’s protected during your vacation.
- Travel-size it. Since you won’t have access to your bathroom, keep a travel toothbrush and pack of dental floss permanently packed. That way, you’re less likely to forget it. When you do reach your destination, however, be sure to take the toothbrush out of its case and let it dry out.
- Brush during bathroom breaks. Especially on road trips with children, you’re going to make a lot of stops along the way. Take the opportunity to get a good brushing sesh in.
- Don’t brush with the water, either. In places where the water’s not safe to drink, it’s not safe to brush your teeth with it, either. Having a couple bottles of water handy here helps. Be sure to use the bottled water to rinse your toothbrush after use, too.
- Chew sugarless gum. While it’s no substitute for brushing, it’s better than nothing when you can’t get to your brush right away. Studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum, especially the kinds with xylitol, helps promote saliva flow and rinse away bacteria.
- Eat crunchy fruits and veggies. Foods like apples and celery are great for promoting saliva flow. They also give you nutrients your body needs.
- Use interdental brushes. These are useful when you’re hiking, camping, etc. and your hands tend to get a little dirtier than usual.
Summer is knocking at our door, which means it’s vacation time. Follow these tips to keep your teeth healthy during this vacation season, and don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly!
