Oral Health Tips for Travelers

Food is an essential component to explore when traveling to a location — be it familiar or completely new. From exotic recipes to classic comfort food, there’s always something to sink your teeth into.

The trade off, though, is that travelers may not be able to take care of their teeth at all times, specially with all the moving around, which causes rather erratic washroom times. Do not let this discourage or pull you away from enjoying your trip, though! Here are some oral health tips to keep in mind when traveling:

1. Bring your own toothbrush

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As many seasoned travelers will tell you, there is no substitute to the toothbrush you normally use at home. Couple this with your toothpaste and mouth wash of choice, and you’re good to go.

If you ever forget to pack your own, make it a priority to run to the nearest convenience store and grab you and your family some high-quality ones. It will make each meal that much more satisfying.

While it’s a nice gesture for accommodations to provide toothbrushes, they usually have hard bristles which may even damage the gums when used often. They are most certainly not good replacements, and those with sensitive gums and teeth may even need extra soft bristles.

2. Keep your toothbrush dry and well-ventilated

Since traveling may lead us to spending less time in our comfort rooms, make sure that your tooth brush has a container with enough holes to keep it ventilated. Letting the brush dry out before packing it also prevents it from being the newest breeding ground for bacteria — you certainly don’t want your teeth to touch that.

3. Keep sugar consumption to a minimum

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Any sweet treat is most certainly irresistible, but it becomes increasingly dangerous to the teeth while traveling because trips to the bathroom to brush the teeth are not as common. Remember: the longer you don’t brush your teeth after a sugary snack, the higher the risk of bacteria that may destroy the teeth.

4. Snack smart

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Make it a point to consume snacks which are not as tough on the teeth. This means avoiding chewy candies and dried fruit. Opt for water instead of soda or juice, and choose fresh fruit when given the option.

5. Always brush well before the day ends

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When it’s time to hit the hay, fight the urge to immediately plop down on the bed. Instead, make one last trip to the faucet to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth.