WITH THE ARRIVAL OF SUMMER comes the season of family vacations and exciting trips to new places. We’re as excited for it as our patients, but before everyone leaves to explore parts unknown, we want to give you a few tips and reminders about taking care of your teeth while you’re away from home.
#1. Before You Go, Come in For a Dental Check-Up
The last thing anyone wants while relaxing on a beach or enjoying the rides at a theme park is for their fun to be interrupted by a toothache or dental emergency. Depending where you go on your vacation, it might be hard to get proper dental treatment. You’ll save yourself a major potential hassle by simply scheduling a dental appointment before you leave! With our online scheduling tool, finding and reserving your next appointment is easy.
A simple dental checkup will ensure that your teeth are clean and cavity-free when you start your trip. It’s especially important to get any restorations (e.g. crowns and fillings) checked in case they’re becoming loose, and untreated cavities and weakened dental work can become painful due to the pressure changes on flights.
#2. Don’t Get Too Carried Away With Vacation Food
We can probably all agree that the food is often one of the best parts of any vacation, but that can make it easy to overdo it. Try to avoid eating too many sweet treats and snacks, and maybe keep a pack of sugar free gum handy to help prevent cavities.
#3. Take Your Healthy Habits With You
When we’re at home, it’s easy to go through daily routines like brushing in the morning and brushing and flossing in the evening. Make sure to pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss when you go, and quickly establish these routines in your new location.
One important thing to remember is that bacteria grows fast on a toothbrush that is damp and in an enclosed space, such as in luggage. Give your brush time to dry before you pack it, and store it somewhere it can get plenty of ventilation between uses.
Just like sunscreen and a phone charger, make your toothbrush, toothpaste, sugar-free gum and floss, an essential part of your travel bag for when you're out for the whole day. We love having single-use pre-pasted toothbrushes handy for easy brushing on the go. You won't even need water to brush your teeth. If you're really in a bind, giving your teeth a good gargle and rinse with water after a meal or snack can remove some food debris that bacteria can chow down. Dental decay doesn't go on vacation just because you are!
#4. Smile Wide!
Following these tips will make it easier to relax and flash a big, bright smile for the camera! Have a wonderful time, and we look forward to seeing you again soon! Don't forget to schedule your check-up and cleaning before you go.
