Dental Care Tips For Travelers

You can go on vacation, but you can’t take a vacation from caring for your teeth! A sudden toothache can quickly undermine all the time and money you spent planning that perfect holiday.

Are your teeth fit to travel? Schedule an appointment with your dentist before you travel. This does not mean that you breeze into the clinic the day before you leave with complaints of chronic pain. Allow enough time to complete any necessary work. Inform your dentist about your travel plans so potential teeth problems can be addressed.

Pack your Dental Hygiene Kit! Your toothbrush should be carried in a clean case which allows air circulation. Clean the case before and after your trip. Unpack your brush once you reach your destination and place it upright to dry in a container. The same should be done on your return home. Prolonged storage in a travel case lets bacteria flourish. Floss and folding brushes are compact and can be carried everywhere. Are you packing for the wilderness? In such cases, even rinsing with water and brushing without tooth-paste will help maintain oral hygiene.

Food for thought… Eating habits are often changed during vacation. Increased snacking on sugary goodies can take their toll on your teeth. In this case, regular oral hygiene becomes even more important. Sugarless gum stimulates saliva flow, which helps to cleanse your teeth. Research suggests that drinking white tea (commonly known as Chinese tea) may help to destroy cavity-forming bacteria.

Emergency Management. Loss of a dental filling or prosthesis is one of the most common dental emergencies. A cap or bridge should be retained, because it is likely your dentist can re-attach it. Sometimes even a fractured piece of tooth can be re-bonded. In some countries, over the counter dental cements are available which can be used as a temporary fix. Dental First-Aid Kits also contain quick remedies to simple dental emergencies.

Travel Insurance I’m often asked advice on whether to buy travel dental insurance. Yes, this is always a good idea! The best insurance, however, is to have your teeth in tip-top shape before you depart :)