It’s all too easy to forget about your responsibilities while you’re kicking back on vacation. But it’s important not to put your dental health aside for the sake of travel. As many as 92% of adults have cavities, and plaque doesn’t take a break for anyone.
The good news is that there are a few tips you can use to keep your dental health in great shape even when you’re on the road (or in the air). Here some ways to keep your teeth fresh and clean wherever you are.
- Make your toothpaste easily accessible. When you’re packing, it’s a good idea to keep your toothbrush and whitening toothpaste in one of the smaller, easily accessible pockets of your suitcase or travel bag. This is because you’ll be using your toothbrush at least twice a day throughout your trip. You don’t want to have to take out several items to reach them.
- Skip the travel case. It may seem like a good idea at the time to keep your toothbrush and whitening toothpaste in a small, compact travel case for easy reach. But toothbrush travel kits can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. This is because the moisture from your toothbrush builds up on the inside of the travel case. That said, skip the travel case and instead give your toothbrush time to air dry before packing it away.
- Keep your toothbrush in your carry-on. It’s best to keep your toothbrush and whitening toothpaste with you in your carry-on bag rather than putting it into your suitcase. This ensures that you have access to your toothbrush and toothpaste when you’re on long layovers or in case your suitcase goes missing.
- Stick to your regular dental routine. Plaque and bacteria don’t go away just because you’re on vacation or on a work trip. Make sure you’re still brushing your teeth twice a day. Plaque needs less than 24 hours before it solidifies to your teeth and starts to form plaque.