Keep up with your dental routine while you are on vacation this summer.

Summer vacation is the time to let loose, have fun, and relax, but that doesn’t mean you should skip out on your dental routine while you are away. If you want healthy teeth it is important to keep up with your oral hygiene routine daily so they stay in top condition. 

1. Don’t forget to pack your oral hygiene items.

One of the first things you should think about packing when you travel for your summer vacation is the items you will need for your oral hygiene routine. You can pack a toothbrush, travel-sized toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss. Travel-sized items will help you get through airport security if you are flying, as you can pack these items in your carry-on bag. If you want to bring full-sized oral health items, those will have to be packed and stored in your checked bags.

2. Continue with your daily routine.

When you are on vacation, some of the routine things you do might fall to the wayside, but it is important to make time each day for your oral hygiene. Even on vacation, you should be brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time.

To help keep up with your dental care routine on vacation, try to brush your teeth at the same time as you would at home. Maybe that is after breakfast, but before you go out exploring your travel destination. At night, make sure you are brushing your teeth before bed, no matter how tired you might be from your excursions. Oral health is something that shouldn’t be ignored!

3. Choose tooth-friendly foods.

While a vacation can be a time to relax and splurge, you should also be mindful of the foods you are consuming and make sure they are tooth-friendly.

While a glass of red wine or a cup of coffee on occasion is fine, the tannins in those drinks can stain your teeth, causing discoloration. To avoid this, make sure to limit your consumption of drinks with tannins in them, and remember to brush your teeth after you are done drinking those liquids.

It’s also important to choose foods that contain vitamins and minerals that help keep your teeth and bones strong. Anything with calcium is great for building strong bones and teeth, and many fruits and vegetables are great sources of other vitamins and minerals that are important for building strong teeth. Vegetables that are fibrous, like celery, can even act as natural toothbrushes, brushing away bacteria on your teeth. Crunchy, leafy green vegetables, like kale and spinach, are also tooth-friendly foods that are great sources of vitamins and minerals, and also help with cleaning your teeth as you chew them.

And if you splurge on something sweet while on vacation, make sure you brush your teeth thoroughly after. Sugars can break down the enamel on your teeth, which can lead to cavities, so brushing and flossing after consuming sugary substances should be part of your routine while on vacation or at home.

4. Don’t pick up any bad habits

It’s easy to think that vacation time is guilt-free time, but the truth is that healthy habits are even more important when you are in a strange location without access to your usual routine. A vacation can be a time to indulge, but if you’re going to try the local delicacies—such as pecan pie in Alabama or scrapple in Delaware— which we highly recommend you do, then you need to stick to your at-home oral health hygiene routine (see tip #2). 

We know this can be especially tricky if you’re on the road for long periods of time or catching overnight planes or trains. This is why we recommend you pack a travel toothbrush and toothpaste so you can brush your teeth on the go. 

And, if you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have access to a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, then it’s important to at least rinse your mouth with water to dislodge those sticky food particles.  

Get a dental checkup before you leave or when you return.

It is important you visit the team at Compass Dental Group twice a year for your biannual dental checkups. Stick to your routine by scheduling your checkups before you leave on vacation, or right after you come back. Our team will examine your entire mouth, ensuring your teeth and gums are healthy, and we’ll even perform a professional cleaning to make sure your pearly whites are sparkling. Call us today to schedule an appointment!