Summer Travel Tips: Caring for Your Teeth While on Vacation
The weather has warmed up and the kids are out of school’ summer is here! Many families have their calendars marked for vacation over the next few months. Whether you are hopping on an airplane to enjoy a tropical location or you are road tripping to spend time with family, it is important to consider ways you can care for your oral health while on the road.
Here are a few tips to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums while on vacation:
- Consistent Daily Habits: Just because you are traveling, doesn’t mean that you can take a vacation from brushing and flossing. Remember to pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. If you’re traveling with a small suitcase, consider buying travel-sized items. Don’t worry; you can always pick up these items from a corner store if you arrive at your destination and realize that you forgot your toothbrush!
- Sugarless Gum on the Plane: Do you find it helpful to have something to chew during takeoff and landing? If you need to relieve ear pressure on a flight, make sure that you aren’t damaging your teeth with sugary gum. Sugar exposure can lead to tooth decay, resulting in the need for fillings. This problem is easy to avoid by choosing the right sugar-free products. It’s smart to carry a pack of sugarless gum in your travel bag, giving you a way to relieve ear pressure without worrying about your dental health.
- Clean Water Source: When traveling overseas, it is important to be aware of the safety of your drinking water. Sometimes it is recommended to only drink bottled water, especially if you are traveling in a third-world country. If that’s the case, then it is best to brush with bottled water as well. Be careful to avoid the habit of running your toothbrush under the tap when you are done brushing.
- Mouthguard for Sports: What kind of activities will be enjoyed while you are traveling? It is smart to use a mouthguard if you will be participating in contact sports or other potentially dangerous activities. This guard will protect your teeth in case an accident happens.
- In Case of Emergency: In the situation where a dental emergency occurs when you are away from home, don’t hesitate to call our team for advice. Sometimes, emergencies can be resolved over the phone. You can talk to us at any time. We are happy to offer recommendations regarding immediate treatment, as well as the best timeline for your dental care. We might even have local referrals that you can visit in the area.
- Don’t Forget Your Checkup: It can be scary to deal with a dental emergency when you are away from home. Your regular dental checkup is an opportunity to prevent the problem of finding a dentist at your destination for something that could have been avoided. If it’s time for your biannual checkup, then fit it into your schedule to visit with our staff before you take off.
For more information about caring for your dental health, talk to our experienced team at myDental. We have several locations nearby for your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
A travel dental kit should include a travel-size toothbrush with a cap or case, fluoride toothpaste, floss or floss picks, and mouthwash. Packing sugar-free gum with xylitol is helpful for freshening breath and stimulating saliva when brushing is not possible. Keeping supplies in a carry-on bag ensures access even if checked luggage is delayed.
For a knocked-out tooth, keep it moist in milk or saliva and seek a dentist within 30 minutes if possible. For a broken tooth or lost filling, cover the area with dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect it and take over-the-counter pain medication. Locate the nearest dental office or emergency room for prompt treatment.
Stick to brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, even when the schedule is different from home. If brushing after meals is not possible, rinsing with water or chewing sugar-free gum helps remove food particles. Keeping a consistent routine during travel prevents plaque buildup and keeps gums healthy.
Many dental insurance plans provide some coverage for emergency care regardless of location, though benefits and provider networks vary. Checking the plan’s out-of-network coverage before traveling is a good idea. Travel insurance policies often include dental emergency coverage as well, which can help with unexpected costs away from home.
Getting a dental checkup before a long trip helps catch small problems before they become painful emergencies on the road. A dentist can address any loose fillings, early cavities, or gum issues that might flare up during travel. Schedule a checkup at least two weeks before departure to allow time for any needed treatment.
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