The holiday season often means hitting the road or taking to the skies to spend quality time with loved ones. While travel can be exhausting and stressful, it’s important that you don’t neglect your dental care routine. While it may be tempting to let it slide because “it’s the holidays,” cavities and gum disease never sleep!
If you want to keep your oral health in top condition while traveling, continue reading. Follow these seven essential tips to ensure your smile stays bright and healthy during your holiday adventures.
1. Make a Travel Dental Kit
Before you embark on your travels for the holidays, assemble a compact dental travel kit. This should include a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and perhaps a travel-sized mouthwash if you can fit it in. Having these essentials readily available will make it easy to maintain your oral hygiene routine wherever your travels take you!
2. Drink Plenty of Water
Traveling can be dehydrating, so be sure to drink plenty of water. Hydration is not only essential for your bodily health, but it also helps support a friendly oral environment. When saliva production is stunted, the dryness can cause bad breath and other oral health issues.
So, keep water with you at all times as you go. This can be especially important if you’re traveling by air as higher altitudes cause dry mouth much faster.
3. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum is an excellent way to keep your mouth fresh and stimulate saliva production, especially during long flights or road trips. Be on the lookout for gum with xylitol. This is a sugar substitute that research shows can help inhibit the growth of bacteria that contribute to tooth decay. When you can’t find a convenient place to brush, it’s the next best thing!
4. Snack Mindfully
It’s common, especially on road trips, to stop at gas stations to refuel and grab snacks. However, be mindful of your choices if you’re trying to preserve your oral health. Try to avoid sticky candies or snacks that are too hard. The last thing you need on your journey is a cracked tooth or a painful cavity!
5. Keep Brushing and Flossing
Last, but certainly not least, continue your oral care routine. If you made the kit in the first suggestion, then you have all the tools you need. Brush twice a day, once in the morning, and once before bed. Floss each night to ensure you’re not missing the plaque between your teeth.
It takes a little discipline to maintain your teeth during the holidays. However, with these tips in your back pocket, it won’t be so hard. The things that matter most require you to make time for them. So, while it’s important to see family and friends, be sure to pencil in preserving your smile. Happy holidays!
About the Practice
At Dental Partners of Newburyport, you’ll find a team of highly skilled and passionate dental professionals who love working with their patients. They pride themselves on their ability to make custom treatment plans that fulfill smile goals without breaking the bank before the holidays. Call (978) 465-5358 to schedule an appointment or visit the website to discover the services they provide.