Travel & Oral Health
Given the end of summer and upcoming Labor Day holiday usually means some sort of travel. We thought we would take the opportunity to discuss the concern over travel and the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. There are comprehensive resources available to minimize your risk (e.g., CDC), but one aspect of caring for your health while on the road is to maintain your healthy dental routine. It can be hard to give your oral care the attention it deserves while traveling. Being away from home and everyday routines can make it easier to neglect your dental health, which can take its toll on your teeth. But the health of your mouth shouldn’t be compromised. You can’t take a vacation from good dental hygiene. Here are some tips to help keep you and your family’s teeth clean and healthy while traveling.
Have a Backup Plan ~ Pack extra travel toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss where you can get to them easily. If your luggage is lost or if you run out of supplies and can’t buy replacements, you will still have access to oral health care. Brushing your teeth can be almost as nice as a shower after a long flight!
Protect Your Toothbrush ~ Toothbrush caps are a great for protecting brush bristles from germs and damage in your bag. But a brush that stays wet breeds bacteria. If you can, take your toothbrush out of its travel case as soon as you reach your destination.
Take Disposable Products ~ If you plan to travel to a location where clean water is not readily available, pack floss and products that don’t require toothpaste or water. Disposable flossers, tooth wipes, or disposable toothbrushes are good ideas.
Watch What You Eat ~ Most people change their eating habits and tend to indulge more on vacation. Try to limit the number of sweets you eat while away from home. Take a pass on sugary drinks, and opt for water or sugar-free beverages instead.
Gum is Fun ~ Traveling can make it tricky to brush your teeth after meals. Sugar-free gum helps stimulate saliva production and rinse away food particles, great for long flights and car rides!
Rinse with Water ~ Rinsing well after eating and drinking can help rinse away sugars until you are able to brush.
When your plans call for travel, good oral hygiene is an important part of staying healthy. Do you have more traveling tips? Let us know here at McGann Facial Design and give the office a call with any oral health questions and/or concerns.
