Looking forward to a summer vacation? Whether you want to visit loved ones in a different state or travel and explore a new city, you will need to make plans to get the most out of your trip. But if you do not plan with your oral health in mind, a dental emergency might spoil your vacation.
You can reduce the danger of a serious dental issue ruining your plans when you prioritize your smile before you leave. With proper preparation, you can have your smile beautiful as well as healthy during your vacation, allowing you to better relax. Read on to find advice from your dentist that will ensure you can keep your smile healthy while you travel this summer.
Keep Up with Routine Dental Check-Ups
Even with diligent at-home oral hygiene and dental care, you still need to visit your dentist on a regular basis to keep your smile in good shape. Your toothbrush and floss cannot always reach all parts of the mouth. This may mean plaque and other residues remain on your smile.
Lingering plaque and tartar can breed and spread bacteria, which can weaken your teeth and increase your risk of infections. Attending professional teeth cleanings during a check-up at your dentist’s office will make your smile cleaner, stronger, and fresher.
Seeking this dental attention before you leave for a vacation will mean that you can feel less stressed, knowing your smile is looking and feeling its best. Plus, during a check-up, a dentist examines your teeth and gums for signs of potential issues. Without underlying problems, thanks to the dentist’s evaluation, you can feel confident leaving for a trip.
Pack with Oral Hygiene in Mind
Although you may look forward to a relaxing break from your usual busy schedule while on vacation, plaque and other dental dangers will not pause in threatening your oral health. For this reason, you should continue with consistent oral hygiene practices while away from home.
To ensure you can keep up with good oral habits, pack all necessary oral hygiene tools before you travel. This should include a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss.
Consider bringing travel-sized supplies, like a mini toothbrush that can fit in a purse or pocket. This way, you can have access to oral hygiene materials during travel times. You can still complete oral hygiene despite not having access to your luggage, for instance.
Make sure you store your oral hygiene supplies properly too. At home, you will need to air dry your toothbrush bristles so that it will not breed bacteria or mold. You will still want to do this while away on vacation.
When packing your toothbrush, you want to ensure it avoids contact with other items in your suitcase. Consider keeping it in a sealable plastic bag. Then when you arrive at your location, you can open the bag to encourage air drying. For more tips about good oral hygiene on the go, call your dentist.