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Are you leaving for your trip soon? Naturally, your days might be filled with last-minute preparations –from making dinner reservations to buying tickets for local museums. Before you leave, it’s also helpful to freshen up on how to take care of your smile while you’re away from home. After all, the last thing you want is to wind up spending a portion of your trip at an emergency dentist’s office. To help prevent that from happening, keep reading to learn five oral health tips for your summer vacation.
1. Make Sure to Pack All of Your Oral Hygiene Essentials
Simply put, whether you’re at home or traveling abroad, you need to care for your teeth. To make that task easy while you’re out of town, double and triple-check that you’ve packed everything you need, including a fluoridated toothpaste, soft-bristled toothbrush, and floss. Of course, it’s just as important that you use them, so commit to completing your oral hygiene regimen each morning and evening.
2. Bring a Mouthguard If You Plan on Participating in Sports
If you’re planning on surfing, rollerblading, playing beach volleyball, or participating in any other summer sports, it’s of the utmost importance that you pack a mouthguard. Although it may seem silly, all it takes is one bad fall or one accidental blow to your mouth for your teeth to get severely damaged. To prevent a serious dental emergency while on vacation, always wear a mouthguard during physical activities like these.
3. Chew on Sugar-Free Gum Between Meals
Ideally, you would be able to brush and floss your teeth after each meal. However, that may be unrealistic if your vacation itinerary is jam-packed with to-dos or there isn’t a clean restroom on every corner at your destination. If that’s the case for you, then chew on some sugar-free gum between meals to stimulate saliva production and keep your teeth clean.
4. Do Your Best Not to Consume Added Sugar in Excess
On vacation, it’s common for patients to indulge in all different types of foods and beverages – from a local favorite dish to piña coladas. Unfortunately, sugar is one of the leading causes of cavities, even when you’re away from home. That’s why it’s important to enjoy sugary items in moderation.
5. Be Careful When Eating Crunchy Foods
On a similar note, eating crunchy foods isn’t ideal. Although they may be delicious and satisfying, one wrong bite can leave you with a chipped, cracked, or fractured tooth. So, always exercise caution or avoid these items entirely.
About the Doctor
Since earning her dental doctorate at Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Mamata Ponnaganti has continued to pursue advanced training. In fact, she’s studied everything from oral sedation and dental implants to Six Month Smiles more in-depth to ensure that her nearby patients benefit from the latest techniques and technology. If you want to learn more about how to protect your smile or you’d like to schedule an appointment with her before or after your vacation, visit her website or call one of her two conveniently located offices.