Summer has come to a close, and summer vacation with it. Somehow, once you’re back to the grind, all you can think about is the next trip. Maybe you have something planned with your family over one of the long autumn weekends. Or maybe you’ll be traveling over the holidays.
Whatever the case, travel will always mean a disruption to your oral habits. This will have its effect on your teeth, which makes it all that much more important to maintain good health habits while you’re away from home. Here are some tips on how to go about it.
Healthy travel diet
Wherever you travel, you’ll have options to include veggies in your diet. Whenever you have the chance, even if it’s a substitute that costs an extra dollar at the restaurant, try to include servings of broccoli, carrots and cauliflower in your diet. These veggies have a strong, fibrous texture that naturally cleans your teeth as you eat. Fruit salads and parfaits are great substitute for sugary desserts, too. A rich parfait, in particular, will be packed with the Calcium you need to keep your teeth strong.
In–case–of (dental) emergency
Make sure you have your dentist’s number saved to your phone so you can contact the office if you experience any issues while away. Even if you’re headed to a destination only a few hours out of town, imagine if something were to happen and you were left without this crucial resource. Having an accident, losing a tooth, having a crown fall off or any other number of dental emergencies could completely undo the joy of your vacation. Imagine if any of these things happened to one of your children!
Whatever the emergency, your dentist will be able to tell you what can be done right away, and whether it’s necessary to seek emergency attention before you come home.
Forgetting your dental products
Your toothbrush is your single most important piece of dental equipment. What’s more, you get pretty attached to the toothbrush you call your own. So, what can you do if you forget it on a trip? The easy answer is to buy yourself a new one, but in case you’re trapped in an airport, or arrive to the hotel too late and don’t know what’s open nearby, there are other fixes to keep tartar buildup at bay.
One quick trick is to rinse your mouth out with warm water a few times until the next day when you buy a new toothbrush. Or, if you at least remembered to pack toothpaste, put a little on your finger for brushing. This won’t remove much, but it’ll help you feel fresher. Sugar-free chewing gum is another quick-fix way to stimulate saliva production and wash a little tartar away.
Most importantly of all, once you do have a new toothbrush, be sure to stay on top of brushing after every meal. Especially after missing a couple of brushings, you’ll have to be diligent to clean your teeth of all tartar before it turns into plaque.
There are all sorts of things that can happen to your teeth while you’re away on vacation. What will you be eating? Will you be participating in sports wherever you’re going? If you’re traveling with the whole family, do you have a child who might lose a tooth while you’re gone? Do you have your Tooth Fairy alternatives or spin-offs at the ready?
Everything about travel changes what’s going on in your mouth. You eat and drink different things, keep different habits, and probably have different oral hygiene products on you. Just remember that your teeth will thank you if you don’t take a vacation from your oral health, too!
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