Summer Vacation Dental Tips

Say hello to summer! If you’re planning a trip or vacation, remember to continue maintaining your dental health even on your trip. It might not cross your mind during your planning process but you wouldn’t want a toothache or dental emergency to ruin your fun. Follow these easy tips to keep your teeth in good shape so you can enjoy all the things you have planned for this season.

1. Don’t slack on your dental routine

Being on vacation doesn’t mean that you should take a break from good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily is still a must. If you return from your trip with swollen, red gums and plague-covered teeth, your next dental cleaning may be a lot of work. Look for travel-sized versions of dental essentials for easy packing. Ask your hotel if they provide them in case you forget something. If you have any other routine dental tasks, continue to do them. For instance, if you had your teeth straightened, make sure to bring your retainer with you on your trip so your teeth don’t shift during the trip. For extended trips, replace your toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if the bristles become worn.

2. Keep good eating habits

Vacation can be a time to indulge in a variety of new foods, but it’s important to keep a balanced and tooth-friendly diet – especially if you already have pre-existing dental conditions. Ask your dentist if there are any foods you should avoid during your trip. For those with braces, keep avoiding hard, crunchy, or sticky foods – a broken bracket during your trip isn’t fun. If you will be consuming sugary and acidic food frequently, make sure to have a bottle of water near you. Rinse your mouth after eating these types of foods to prevent cavities from forming or wearing down your enamel.

3. Be prepared for dental emergencies

It’s always a good idea to have a plan established for emergency dental care. Before leaving on your trip, research nearby dental and medical providers and write down their contact information. Bright Now! Dental has many locations throughout the country so use our website to see if there is an office near your vacation destination. You can also purchase travel insurance to help cover any unforeseen emergency visits to the dentist.

The following dental issues should be looked at immediately:

• Dental abscesses
• Knocked-out teeth
• Severe scrapes and bleeding from the mouth or any other oral injuries caused by an accident

Do not wait for your trip to end to visit a dentist since these types of injuries and dental issues will worsen if they aren’t treated right away.

By following the tips above, we hope that you will be able to prioritize your dental health while having a good and relaxing summer. We all need a break and we don’t want dental problems to keep you from enjoying your summer fun!