I don’t know about you but I really enjoy two very different approaches to vacation travel. Either I enjoy relaxing, eating what we like and drinking some high calorie beverages, when I am in vacation mode. Or, I like to adventure into the backcountry and get remote and wild. Regardless of how you like to vacation or travel most of us tend to veer away from our routines and we may even let our oral hygiene slide a bit. (If you have found a miracle travel toothbrush I really want to know about it.) Sadly, neglecting our teeth and gums can throw a spanner in the works (be a real drag) when it comes to enjoying a well-earned break. If you’ve got a trip looming, it’s wise to bear these oral care tips for travelers in mind.
Key things to take care of: dental health tips for travel
If you’re on vacation, your priority may not be tending to your teeth, but it’s so important to keep an eye on and maintain your oral health. The last thing you want is for a dream trip to turn into a nightmare that involves nursing sore gums or a troublesome toothache. To prevent dental dilemmas, here are some key dental health tips for travel.
- Packing tips: Get yourself some travel-sized dental heroes
We all know that excess baggage costs a fortune. Whether you’re whizzing around a European city, or you’re venturing off the beaten track in the jungle, it’s beneficial to embrace dental care tips for travelling and invest in space-saving dental products. You can buy travel products or invest in handy innovations like toothpaste pods. It’s also a great idea to travel light when it comes to your toothbrush. Rather than using up valuable ounces with a hefty electric toothbrush and charger combo, go for a lightweight bamboo brush. One of the best dental health tips for travel is to make sure you’ve got a mini dental kit with you. This will make it easy to abide by oral hygiene tips for travellers, no matter where you are in the world.
- Drinking water for brushing
Safety should be a priority when it comes to oral hygiene tips for travellers. In some cases, it may not be safe to use water from the tap to brush your teeth. If you’re in a far-flung destination, and you aren’t sure whether to take a risk, follow oral care tips for travelers and use bottled water. While you might feel like the ultimate adventurer when you’re striding up mountain tracks or putting a tent up in seconds, exposure to unsafe water can take its toll on even the most intrepid of explorers. It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to following water safety tips for dental care while traveling.
- Clean and store your toothbrush properly
It’s tempting to chuck everything in a backpack and then leave the contents of your wash bag on a bathroom ledge when you’re away. However, it’s critical to take this helpful oral hygiene tip for travellers to heart. Clean your toothbrush with clean water (bottled if necessary) and let it dry in the open air afterwards. This will help to eliminate bacterial growth.
- Maintain your brushing and flossing regime
If you’re going to take any of these oral care tips for travelers as your number one commandment, this is it. While you’re away, don’t let your oral hygiene habits slide. Keep brushing and flossing as you would at home, taking care to brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes and floss daily. If you’re forgetful, or if you’re moving through different time zones, setting a timer to remind you to brush is another one of our useful dental health tips for travel.
- Book an appointment with your dentist
If you’ve followed these dental care tips for travelling, the final task on your list is to book an appointment with your dentist for when you return. Regular dental checks will help you reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, and these checkups also play an important role in early oral cancer detection.
Conclusion: Top tips for dental care while traveling
Nothing threatens a long-awaited adventure like an unexpected dental health issue. And almost nothing is scarier than going to a dentist who doesn’t speak your language in a small town in a third world country. If you’re a keen traveler, and you’re eager to keep your smile positively sparkling, these are your most golden tips for dental care while traveling. Keep up with brushing and flossing, use safe drinking water, store and clean your brush safely and invest in handy, travel-size dental products like Poppits toothpaste pods. Once you’ve crossed all these oral care tips for travelers off, don’t forget to call your dentist and book a check-up when you get back.
