How to Take Care of Your Oral Health While Travelling

Vacation plans always bring so much joy as we get our much-needed time and space to relax and recuperate. However, along with your passport and clothes, an important item that seems to be missing from holiday checklists and preparations is oral health tools.

It’s important that you don’t take a break from healthy dental habits whether you’re backpacking Europe or heading to an Airbnb for a weekend getaway. There are a number of steps and precautionary measures you can take to ensure you have fun without compromising on your oral health.

Things to do before your vacation

• Visit your dentist for a quick check-up
  If you are almost due for a dentist visit, it is always better to go in for one before your holiday. This can help ensure any problems you might have get resolved before you are miles away from your dentist. If you are going for a long period of time, it’s best to get a full check up to ensure your teeth are travel ready.
• Make sure you have insurance
  Check that your travel medical insurance covers dental emergencies and familiarise yourself with the policy. That way if an emergency does happen, you are more aware of what is and isn’t covered.
• Know where to go in dental emergencies
  Make a list of dental practices that are close to your vacation area and are credible as well as safe. Your dentist or insurance provider should be able to help you with that.
• Pack all your oral hygiene essentials
  Being on holiday doesn’t mean you get to skip out on your teeth cleaning essentials. Get a good-sized travel bag to fit all your supplies: toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and mouth rinse. If you use headgear, mouth guards or dentures make sure you pack them as well as the carrying case. Pain killers are also a good thing to have in case if any toothaches.

Things to do during your vacation

• Keep a few oral hygiene items in your carry-on
  Travel usually entails a lot of time spent in and out of planes and airports. This means your brushing schedule can get a bit messy. Keeping items like toothbrushes and toothpaste in your carry on gives you easy access to them whenever you need it. That way even if you’re at the airport, you can pop into the toilet for a quick freshen up and to brush your teeth.
• Stay away from foods that are bad for the teeth
  It’s hard to maintain your regular oral cleaning schedule while on holiday. However, to prevent any worst damage to your teeth you can avoid sugary food and carbonated drinks as these produce acids that erode tooth enamel.
• Keep your toothbrush clean

Let your toothbrush dry whenever you can as wet toothbrushes breed bacteria. When arriving at a new location, if possible get the toothbrush out of its case and into a cup or holder to allow water to drain away from the bristles.

• Remember to stay hydrated

Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated throughout the trip as dry mouth can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Planes especially can be quite drying due to the recycled air. Make sure to always have a water bottle on you and keep filling it up whenever you have the opportunity to.

The most important thing is to ensure you are practicing good oral hygiene no matter where you are. A two-minute proper brushing every morning and night can go a long way in reducing plaque and any other gum diseases.

If you or a loved one are travelling anytime soon, feel free to get a dental check up to ensure everything is in order.