There are few feelings worse than stepping into a hot shower after a long flight to find that your hotel room has no soap. Or opening the door to your new Airbnb only to find that there’s no shower at all. Whether it be an unfortunate mishap or you’re just trying to save some money on hotels, there is nothing worse than showing up in a new place without the necessary amenities, especially when they are something as important as toothpaste.
Not only does a lack of toothpaste feel like torture, but it also presents a serious issue for your oral hygiene. If you’re planning on going to a new place for a much-needed vacation or during an adventurous move, here are ten tips to keep your teeth clean while traveling:
1. Pack a Travel-Sized Toothbrush
This is the obvious first step. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t carry around an extra toothbrush with you throughout your day either.
To save space, look for a foldable model that can easily fit in your purse or luggage.
2. Pack Dental Floss
Traveling means eating at new places where you might not know if they keep up their dental hygiene, so it’s important to stay on top of yours!
Be sure to pack some dental floss or tape before heading out on your trip so that way, no matter what type of food is being served, you’ll be able to cleanly enjoy it without bringing home any cavities.
3. Travel Bottles of Oral Rinse
If you’re not a fan of flossing, be sure to pick up some bottles of mouthwash to take with you on your travels.
Not only can they help keep bad breath at bay, but they will also act as extra protection against the bacteria in your new surroundings.
4. Travel Size Toothpaste
Again, this is an obvious one — but sometimes it’s easy to forget simple things like toothpaste when traveling long distances.
Look for travel-sized tubes that are TSA approved so that way if you need to go through security, you won’t have any problems bringing them along with you!
5. Bottled Water (with Meals)
Mouthwash and floss can only do so much. If you’re looking to up your oral hygiene game, be sure to ask for a glass of bottled water when enjoying meals.
You can either take it with you or use it as an excuse to leave the table so that way you can rinse your mouth out before returning!
6. Stay Hydrated (with Fluids)
Did you know that staying hydrated was actually considered one of the most important factors in dental hygiene?
Whether it’s water, tea, coffee, or even sodas-it’s incredibly important to drink plenty of fluids throughout your day so that way there is less saliva in your mouth which means fewer cavities and less plaque buildup. So go ahead and enjoy those drinks guilt-free! Just remember to cleanse your mouth out afterward if you’re trying to be extra careful.
7. Visit Dental Clinic Before and After Trip
If you’re not the adventurous type and plan on staying in one place for a while, be sure to book an appointment with your dentist before leaving.
They will be able to give you advice on how to best care for your teeth during your stay. If they think it’s necessary, they may even put together a custom kit just for you!
8. Stay Healthy
Aside from brushing and flossing, there are other ways that you can take care of your teeth while traveling.
Combine them with healthy eating habits and plenty of fluids throughout the day, and you should have no problem maintaining good oral hygiene during your trip!
9. Know Local Fluoride Levels
If you’re traveling to a new country where the local water may not have fluoride mixed in it, be sure to check before brushing your teeth with tap water.
They will be able to tell you what strengths of fluoride they recommend and which ones might give you an upset stomach or tooth damage.
10. Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks
No matter where you are, sugar is bad for your teeth-even more so when you don’t have access to proper dental hygiene tools like toothpaste and floss!
Limit the amount of candy that you eat while on vacation (they tend to stick around in weird places!) and drink plenty of water instead of sugary sodas and juices, and you should be able to maintain a healthy smile!
Maintaining good oral hygiene habits while traveling can be a challenge, but with these ten tips, you should be able to stay on top of your game! From packing the necessary tools to avoiding sugary foods and drinks, there are plenty of ways to make sure your teeth stay clean and healthy-no matter where in the world you find yourself.