Spring is here and that means you might be thinking about fun in the sun, road trips and relaxation. But bacteria don’t take a vacation and neither should your oral care routine. Keep your beautiful smile and white teeth on the go by packing the essentials in a travel dental kit. A well-prepared travel dental kit includes more than just a toothbrush and toothpaste, too! Keep reading for items to pack in your dental kit and tips to keep your teeth in top condition on your next vacation!
Before Your Trip
As your vacation nears, make sure you haven’t been putting off a visit to your dentist. It’s easy to say, “I’ll schedule an appointment when we get home,” but you don’t want dental issues ruining your relaxation. If you’ve had tooth pain or are simply overdue for your regular dental checkup, complete your appointment before you go!
If you’ll be traveling by plane, keep in mind that mild tooth pain can turn serious on your flight. Just like your ears, your teeth are susceptible to the shift in cabin pressure that happens during air travel. It’s another good reason to check in with your dentist before taking off for fun in the sun.
Packing Your Travel Dental Kit
Of course, you will need your toothbrush and toothpaste for your dental travel kit. Remember, if you’re traveling on an airplane, security limits you to a specific volume of liquids, which includes your toothpaste. Consider purchasing a travel size version of your toothpaste and other essentials. Here are a few other items that you may not have thought to bring:
Toothbrush Travel Case – Of course, you have to bring your toothbrush, but don’t forget a travel case to help protect the bristles and cleanliness of your toothbrush.
Floss – A small travel pack of floss should be all you need for a short vacation. There are a lot of types of floss, so think about which type of floss will be best for you.
Mouthwash – Just like your toothpaste, make sure to purchase a travel size version of your mouth wash so it doesn’t get thrown away at the gate.
Compact Mirror – A small, travel-sized mirror can be helpful to include with your dental travel kit. This will let you give your smile a last-minute check even if you can’t make it back to your hotel room.
Orthodontic wax – If you or your children are currently wearing braces, you won’t want to forget this! Vacation is all about comfort, so it’s handy to have orthodontic wax nearby in case you start to feel irritation from the brackets.
Emergency Medicine – It never hurts to be prepared, especially if you were having any pain or discomfort before you leave. Keep over-the-counter pain medicine and even oral antiseptic just in case. Hopefully you don’t have to use them, but you’ll be glad you have them if they’re needed!
Eat Healthy & Avoid Acidic Drinks
It’s important to enjoy yourself on your vacation, but don’t overindulge on sugary candy or drinks that damage your enamel. You may be feeling tired from all the travel, but those energy drinks and sodas will do just as much damage to your teeth as they always do. One good way to keep yourself on track is to pack your own snacks and beverages. Good old-fashioned water and healthy snacks do more than just keep your teeth happy, they’ll prevent you from ruining your whole trip with a stomach ache!
That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and enjoy the local delicacies! It is a vacation after all, just remember the most important thing…
Your Travel Dental Kit is Useless if You Don’t Use It
No matter how packed your itinerary is, you can always make time for the few minutes it takes to brush and floss. Just bringing your dental travel kit won’t help if you aren’t using it. Maintaining your oral care routine is important, so keep your kit close enough to use in the morning and before you go to bed.
Don’t Take a Vacation from Your Oral Care
Caring for your teeth while on vacation is easy if you’re prepared! Pointe Dental Group can provide you with a complete examination, answer any questions you may have, and discuss treatment options. Schedule your appointment with us today!
New patients can receive a FREE comprehensive exam and consultation, plus a panoramic x-ray with paid cleaning procedure (a $200 value!)
Grosse Pointe Farms: (313) 881-2480
Shelby Township: (586) 803-8300
Don’t miss a thing! Connect with us on Facebook!