5 dental health tips for travel

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as clocking out for the last time right before a vacation. You rush home, eager to hit the road, and start packing. Ordinarily you take really good care of your teeth! However, there’s only so much room in your bags, so you settle for toothbrush and toothpaste. Or maybe in all the hustle and bustle you simply forgot to grab your floss! Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help keep your mouth healthy when you travel.

Use proper toothbrush storage

One of the worst things you can do, is throw your toothbrush into a plastic bag. There’s no circulation, so any lingering moisture and bacteria that were on your toothbrush now have a veritable playground! You’ll want to make sure you have a toothbrush travel container that has proper ventilation.

Clean your travel case

Make sure to keep your toothbrush case clean as well! Just because it can dry properly doesn’t mean there aren’t any bacteria inside. A survey found that a third of travelers don’t wash their toothbrush cases… Gross, right? It doesn’t take much! Little bit of hot soapy water and you’re good to go. Allow it to dry completely before putting your toothbrush inside.

Avoid sugary snacks – eat healthy ones!

If you’re taking a long car trip somewhere, instead of loading up on chips and gummy bears or chocolate at the gas station, bring along some healthy snacks! Pack up a small cooler with things like broccoli, baby carrots, or grapes. Sodas and other sugary drinks won’t do you any favors either. Drink water instead! If you feel yourself getting tired, try some green tea instead of an energy drink, as it can kill cavity causing bacteria, while still giving you a caffeine boost.

Brush your teeth when you stop for bathroom breaks

Brushing your teeth after meals is a bit difficult when you’re on the road. So take a few extra minutes when you stop to use the restroom to brush your teeth! You can also bring along some of those disposable floss sticks in the event that you’re trying to hurry and don’t have time to floss properly. Although we recommend you always floss the right way, the disposable option is better than nothing!

Clean your teeth thoroughly when you arrive

When you do reach your destination, you’ll undoubtedly be tired. Traveling is exhausting! Before you fall into bed, make sure you do a thorough teeth cleaning. Brushing before bed is an important part of any daily dental routine, so be sure you don’t skip it!