Planning to go for a vacation? Can’t wait to kick back and forget about your responsibilities? Yep, we’re with you on that but before you board the flight, remember that while you’re on vacation, your oral hygiene isn’t.
It can be hard to pay attention to your dental health while you’re travelling, be it for business or pleasure. You’re away from home, and you’re out of your routine. But your mouth health shouldn’t be compromised. Don’t let your dental health fall by the wayside.
Aside from keeping your dental clinic’s phone number with you in case of emergency, you should also follow these tips to stay on top of your oral health wherever you go.
Toothbrush and Travel Case
Oral health starts with the most basic and universal tooth care tool – your toothbrush.
Remember to pack soft-bristled toothbrushes for you and your family. Toothbrushes that your kids can easily hold are great and be sure that the toothbrush heads easily fit into their mouths as well, so that it is easy for them to brush.
Make sure your family brushes twice daily for two minutes at a time. If your child is travelling on their own with friends, try sending them daily reminders to brush.
Toothpaste
Brushing without toothpaste just because you’re in a hurry is an exercise in futility, so it’s important that you buy an appropriate toothpaste for any travels.
Find a suitable travel-sized toothbrush that will last your trip and pick a flavour that your kids will enjoy. Children should avoid whitening toothpaste as it can contain harmful abrasives that can erode the enamel.
If you’re unsure about what to bring in terms of dental care, you can always seek advice from your dental professional.
Floss
Brushing your teeth only cleans about a third of the total surface area of teeth which leaves most of the teeth unclean!
While you and your spouse are familiar with flossing, you should teach and guide your child on how to floss. Your child should floss once per day to clean between every space in their teeth.
Give them a small pack of travel floss, or a set of floss picks to encourage them to regularly floss while they are away.
Tongue Scraper
Have you ever used a tongue scraper? They are fantastic little tools that help you get of bad breath.
Tongue scrapers work by scraping away bacteria that causes bad breath. Simply use the head of the scraper to scrape the surface of your tongue after you’re done brushing your teeth. Avoid applying too much pressure and be sure to rinse the scraper when you’re done.
Maintain Your Routine
It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of your vacation, but that’s no excuse to shirk your dental responsibilities. Always remember to brush twice daily for two minutes at a time and floss once daily.
If your children aren’t too keen about it, try to make it a fun activity in the morning and the evening. Talk about what you enjoyed that day and what you’re looking forward to for the rest of the vacation. Having more than one person involved with the brushing routine will give you and your family more accountability and make you (and your kids) more likely to stick with it.