Got travel plans this holiday season? Don’t forget your toothbrush! Take great dental care with you with these five tips for brushing on the go.
1. Maintain Your Habits
First and foremost, don’t use your new and temporary location as an excuse to abandon the routine you stick to at home. Forgetting your dental floss isn’t an excuse to skip flossing for a week, we guarantee you can find dental floss and other essentials just about anywhere. Even better? Be prepared. Keep a bag set aside with an extra toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, and a roll of dental floss that you only use when traveling. That way you’ll always have the supplies you need, no excuses!
2. Stay Hydrated
Try as we might, our routine may deviate somewhat when we travel. Say you’re accustomed to brushing everyday in the middle of the day, after lunchtime. When you’re on holiday and you’re on the go, you might not be able to fit in that midday brushing. You can hold yourself over by drinking lots of water. H2O rinses out lingering food particles, stimulates saliva production, and neutralizes some of the acids in your mouth. In short, don’t forget your water bottle!
3. Pack Sugarfree Chewing Gum
Another way to stay fresh and clean when you can’t make it to a sink? Sugarless chewing gum. The chewing also does a nice job cleaning the teeth. Though it’s never a substitute for brushing, it’ll do the job in a pinch. Plus, traveling, especially over the holidays, can have you reaching for sweet, sugary, cavity-causing foods. Sugar free gum can help you curb those cravings.
4. Bring the Buzz
If you rely on an electric toothbrush to get your mouth sufficiently clean, don’t compromise just because you’re on the road. Plenty of brands sell portable electric toothbrushes that you can easily take with you. Purchase one and set it aside in your travel bag, so it’ll be charged up and ready to go when you need it.
5. Mind your Brush
If you do use a separate toothbrush for travel, it probably goes forgotten most of the year. Make sure you’re doing your best to keep it clean. Ensure that it stays clean and dry, and that it’s contained in a case or something similar, not bouncing around the bag freely with your other items. Remember, toothbrushes or brush heads need to be replaced after three months of use.
Happy Holidays From Pacific NW Dental Center
If you’re on the go this holiday season, travel safely. Once your back to reality after the season, double check your calendar to make sure you have an appointment for your routine cleaning and exam in the coming months. If not, there’s a New Year’s resolution you can keep! Give us a call to schedule your appointment for early 2020.
