teeth

Good Oral Hygiene While Travelling

Though you may be taking a vacation from your everyday life, your oral hygiene should never be on a break. Taking care of your teeth while you travel may seem quite straightforward, however, here are a few tips on how to keep your smile perfect even when on the go.

Visit a dentist before your trip

Preventing oral problems on your trip begins long before you board the plane. Even if you’ve always taken good care of your teeth and see your dentist at least once a year, it’s smart to give him another visit particularly if you’re planning a long trip abroad. You never know whether you’ll have access to dental care when you’re abroad, so it’s better to stay safe than sorry.

Your dentist can immediately identify possible issues you may have with your oral health in the near future that may cause pain or discomfort. Dental or gum problems you thought were healed should not resurface while travelling. The last thing you’d want to do is to stop your vacation early so that you can go to the dentist.

If you need to have a cavity filled, a root canal performed, a tooth extracted, or have issues with your dentures addressed, make an appointment well in advance of the trip.

Get your teeth whitened

If you have a vacation incoming, you should definitely be prepared for having a lot of pictures taken. One of the main aspects of every holiday photo is a bright smile, therefore if yours is lacking make sure to employ your trusty teeth whitening strips for the most gorgeous of smiles! Teeth whitening strips don’t work overnight, it’s usually a treatment that works over a couple of weeks. So, it’s important to stay consistent to see the best results!

Let your brush dry

It’s best not to store your brush in a sealed container if you don’t want it to become ruined. Bacteria love the wet environment, plus, naturally, all of us have some bacteria on our teeth which get transported to the toothbrush. If you leave it wet, the germ numbers will grow and your toothbrush could even make you sick. Allowing your toothbrush to air dry before storing it in a case or holder is always preferable. Don’t forget to unpack your toothbrush, clean it, and store it in a dry place as soon as you arrive at your destination. 

Make sure to get toothbrush containers that are not completely sealed off since the germs thrive in a dark and moist environment.

Always have a backup brush

As far as oral hygiene is concerned, we’d like you to have a second, third, and even a fourth toothbrush on hand. You don’t want to lose your toothbrush while on a vacation since the complimentary toothbrushes provided by your hotel are usually too hard for your gums. You never know when you’ll need a spare toothbrush or a toothbrush head. So, you want to be the smartest person in the room? You should have a spare in your carry-on and one in your backpack or handbag.

Watch what you eat

Be cautious about what you eat! When we’re on vacation, we’re more likely to experiment with new foods and we are far more prone to overindulgence. Let’s face it, we can’t deny you a few bites of local cheese and a couple of glasses of that rich wine. However, how often you’re exposed to sugar is critical for oral health. Limit your daily intake of sweets to no more than one or two sweets. 

Avoid tap water

It’s best to avoid drinking and brushing your teeth with tap water while you’re traveling. In many towns, the drinking water is acidic, which weakens your teeth’s enamel. Drinking and brushing your teeth with bottled or filtered water will keep your body and teeth safe. 

No matter where you are, it’s critical you take care of your teeth. Travelling can be very stressful on your body, so make sure to nurture it when you’re on a vacation. Your oral health is just one aspect of your overall health and is extremely important if you want to be perfectly fit!

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Peter Minkoff

Peter Minkoff is a gay travel and lifestyle writer. Besides writing, he worked as a travel journalist for many publications in Australia and the UK. Follow Peter on Facebook and Twitter for more tips. Peter Minkoff ist ein schwuler Reise- und Lifestyle-Autor. Er arbeitete als Reisejournalist für viele Publikationen in Australien und Großbritannien. Folge Peter auf Facebook und Twitter für weitere Tipps.