6 Travel Tips For Healthy Teeth

Many people ignore their teeth while on vacations. We’re here to share with you some travel tips, which can help banish this bad habit. It’s often hard to give your oral care the attention it needs when you’re traveling for business or pleasure. 

However, being away from home shouldn’t mean that you’re out of your routine. The health of your mouth should never be compromised. You need to make sure you keep your teeth and gums healthy wherever you are.

Here are some ways you can take care of your oral health while traveling:

Consider a Check-Up Before Travel

For sure the best way to avoid any unexpected dental problems while you travel is to prevent them before they could happen. It’s important to have an open conversation with your dentist about any potential risks. If possible, schedule your regular visit about a couple of weeks before a trip, leaving time to have any potential issues taken care of before you go.

With a thorough exam, your dentist can help spot any potential problems, and make sure they are addressed. The best thing about that is that you’ll have peace of mind and your dentist will have up-to-date information on your teeth, including x-rays if needed.

Pack Properly

Pay attention to the travel container you keep your toothbrush in. It should be large enough to provide air circulation. Don’t use a case that holds your brush tightly, and make sure that it has holes for drainage and ventilation. If you use a sealed bag, pop it open when you reach your destination and let your brush air dry.

Don’t forget to clean the case before and after your trip! A while ago the American Academy of Periodontology posted a survey that showed that one-third of travelers never wash out their toothbrush cases, so don’t become one of them. 

Dry Out Your Toothbrush

A brush that stays wet breeds bacteria. As we mentioned, that’s why it’s best to take your toothbrush out of its travel case once you reach your destination. It’s best to put it upright in a cup. This will allow any water to drain away from the bristles.

Also take your toothbrush out of its container right away as soon as you get home afterward, and don’t forget to let it air dry as well.

Watch What You Eat

When we travel for work or go on a vacation, we tend to change our eating habits. We indulge ourselves a lot more. However, you shouldn’t forget that the frequency of sugar exposure is crucial. Try your best to limit the number of times you treat yourself to sweets in a day.

Of course, we won’t tell you to limit yourself all the time and not enjoy your vacation, but keep in mind that each exposure makes a difference to the health of your teeth.

Get Back On Track

If you failed to follow your regular schedule of brushing and flossing while you were away, or if you indulge in too many sweets, that’s okay. The right solution after that is, of course, to get back to your normal routine as soon as possible once you’re home. Brushing twice a day and flossing should continue as usual and in the best scenario, you should be just fine.

In Case of Emergency

Contact information of your dentist should be handy at all times. It’s best to keep it in your cell phone or on a business card in your wallet. It’s usually hard for people to tell if something has to be treated right away or it can wait for a while. That’s where we need help from our dentist.

If you don’t skip your regular visits, your dentist should have a full record of your health history and they could be able to provide insight over the phone. Furthermore, they might help you decide if you need to see a local dentist immediately or you can wait until your trip is over, in any case of emergency. And if you’re looking for an emergency dentist in Albuquerque, at Gallegos Family Dentistry we are ready to help you at any time. 

Enjoy Your Holiday

If you book an appointment with your dentist before or right after your trip, he can advise you on how to take care of your oral health or examine any problems that might have occurred while you were away. 

Contact Gallegos Family Dentistry for a checkup now and enjoy your vacation however you like, without worrying about your oral health! Our experienced professionals can handle everything from preventive care to cosmetic dentistry to keep your mouth looking and feeling its best, so you have a vacation-ready smile.