Caring for Your Teeth While Traveling or on the Go

Many of us travel frequently for work, and with the holidays coming up, even more people will be on the road. When we travel, we tend to slip out of our daily routines—including our oral hygiene practices. Oral hygiene is incredibly important to preventing dental diseases and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. In between visits to the dentist, our practice strongly encourages patients to brush properly and floss daily. We also stress the importance of water consumption and consuming foods low in sugar and acid. Following are some tips for caring for your teeth when you’re away from home.

Purchase a Travel Case for Your Toothbrush

When traveling or on the go, it is important to keep your toothbrush in a sanitary place. This is because you don’t want the bristles of your brush exposed to dirty items in your luggage or purse. While your brush should be protected, it should not be contained in an airtight case or bag. Some patients may keep their toothbrush in a plastic bag. This is problematic because the bristles of your brush will not be able to dry in between uses and moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria. In addition to keeping your brush in a travel case with holes in it, we recommend that you rinse its bristles after every use.

Don’t Forget to Floss

It is easy to forget or forego flossing when you’re not at home but this is a bad habit that can lead to the accumulation of plaque and tartar along your teeth and gums. Brushing only cleans about two thirds of your mouth. Your brush cannot clean the tight spaces between your teeth. We recommend that patients keep extra floss in their purses, briefcases, and travel bags for easy access.

Drink Water

When traveling, some folks unknowingly decrease their water consumption. Beyond keeping your body hydrated, drinking water is good for your oral health. It helps rinse away food, dilutes acid, and keeps soft tissues moist.

To schedule a checkup or cleaning with one of our dentists, call our team at Aesthetic Dental Partners today.