Taking a fun summer vacation is a great way to recharge, but it’s important not to let your oral hygiene slip while you’re relaxing. Keeping consistent habits is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life. Whether you’re heading out on a road trip or hopping on a plane, here are five dental health items you’ll want to take with you on your adventures this summer.
1. A Toothbrush and Toothpaste
There’s no excuse for leaving these essentials behind! If you use an electric toothbrush that can’t easily travel with you, pick up a cheap manual or battery-powered one from your local drug store. You can even get dehydrated toothpaste tablets at some stores if you’re worried your regular paste might make a mess in your bags.
2. Floss
Flossing while on vacation will keep your gums healthy and make sure you don’t break your oral hygiene routine. If string floss isn’t convenient to use during your trip, bring some floss picks along instead. When you floss, make sure you’re just as thorough as you would be if you were at home.
3. Mouthwash
Mouthwash is great for keeping up with your oral hygiene on the go. Stash a travel-sized bottle in your bags and use it to rinse your mouth once or twice a day – ideally after eating. You’ll keep your breath fresh, kill built-up bacteria, and deliver an extra dose of fluoride to help keep your teeth strong.
4. Your Retainer
You’ll need to wear your retainer on vacation to keep your orthodontic treatment results intact. Bring it with you in a travel case along with a small bottle of retainer cleaner. Wear it every night the same way you would at home, making sure to brush your teeth thoroughly and disinfect the retainer before each use.
5. Sugarless Gum
Chewing some sugarless gum after a meal helps scrape the plaque and food particles off your teeth, giving you an easy way to keep up with your oral hygiene between brushes. Chew a piece in between meals, snacks, and sugary drinks to help protect your teeth from all those vacation goodies. Choose gum with xylitol in it to control bacteria growth alongside its other benefits.
Book Your Summer Cleaning and Checkup Today
After you get back from your summer getaway, it’s a good idea to give your teeth a little extra TLC. Contact Coscarella Family Dentistry today to book an appointment for a dental cleaning and checkup and set your oral health up for continued success.
