As you begin to plan for your upcoming summer vacation, don’t forget about your oral care. There are several things you should do before and during your holiday to care for your teeth and gums.
We will cover six of these tips in this article. Make sure you add them to your vacation “to-do” list, and then contact Oakville Place Dental Office for a pre-trip checkup.
It’s extremely important to take care of your teeth and gums, no matter where you are! Whether you’re travelling to a faraway beach or a cabin a few hours away, you need to pack your dental hygiene essentials.
Otherwise, your oral care will lapse and you’ll be at an increased risk for plaque buildup and tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth never goes on vacation, after all. You must always be vigilant against plaque and tartar.
In the chaos of packing for your upcoming summer vacation, you do not want to forget your toothbrush, toothpaste, or floss. It can be surprisingly easy to forget these essentials.
Therefore, one of the best things you can do pre-holiday is to assemble an “on-the-go” dental care kit. This kit lives in your suitcase or carry-on bag, permanently! That way, it’s always there when you need it.
You should include the following in your travel oral hygiene kit: a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash as recommended by your Oakville dentists. Make sure that the toothpaste and mouthwash are travel-sized (less than 100 ml) if they’re going in your carry-on luggage.
While on vacation, you can abandon many of your usual routines. However, your oral care routine should not be included in this. No matter what you do or where you go, your oral health remains of the utmost importance.
You can sleep in, skip the gym, and go days without checking your emails, but you still need to take care of your smile. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for a full two minutes.
You should brush in the morning before breakfast and in the evening after dinner. Make sure you’re waiting 30 minutes after eating to brush, since your tooth enamel is weakest at this time.
Of course, you also need to floss at least once per day. Oakville dentists suggest rinsing with mouthwash, especially after midday meals. Mouthwash helps rinse away lingering food particles and sugar residue.
Wherever you’re vacationing, there’s a good chance that it’s going to be warm. This means it is especially important to stay hydrated by drinking enough water.
Water plays an important, albeit often underappreciated, role in our long-term oral health. First, drinking water ensures that you stay hydrated. When you’re hydrated, your mouth produces sufficient saliva, which helps wash away leftover bits of food.
Saliva also prevents dry mouth and neutralizes acids. A dry mouth is an acidic mouth and high levels of acidity wear down your tooth enamel and promote tooth decay.
Second, water flushes your mouth every time you take a sip. This helps prevent bacterial overgrowth, acidity, and plaque buildup. You’re also keeping your mouth moist.
Whenever you’re thirsty, it’s best to reach for a glass of water. Other beverages, particularly fruit juices, pop, and sports drinks, contain far too much sugar.
Sugar is not beneficial for your oral health. It feeds the mouth’s naturally occurring bacteria, leading to the production of plaque and acid. Plaque deposits and acids wear down the precious enamel that protects your teeth. When the enamel is weakened, tooth decay soon follows.
Although we understand that indulging is often part of travelling, you still need to be mindful of your sugar consumption. You should limit your consumption of sweet beverages and snacks as much as possible. Making healthier dietary choices leads to healthier teeth and gums.
Instead of desserts like ice cream, opt for something healthier, like fresh fruit. Water is the most tooth-friendly beverage available, but unsweetened herbal tea is also a good option. If you do indulge in a sugary (or acidic) drink, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth and then rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
If your summer vacation involves sports or adventurous summer activities, you should pack a mouthguard. You do not want a knocked-out tooth and emergency dental surgery to be part of your holiday. It’s easy to limit or prevent oral injuries simply by wearing a custom mouthguard during high-risk activities.
Sports, biking, swimming, and other recreational activities carry the risk of dental trauma. A mouthguard is a simple investment that allows you to play without worry.
Additionally, don’t use your teeth as tools! Your teeth are strong, incredible devices, but they’re not invincible. Attempting to open bottles or tear packages with your teeth can damage them. You can easily chip or crack a tooth.
It’s a good idea to visit your dentist at Oakville before you depart for summer vacation. This gives your dentist an opportunity to check for any developing oral health conditions that could cause trouble while you’re away.
If you need to have a procedure done, then there is time to do so. It is far less stressful to have these treatments completed at your trusted dental clinic, rather than in a foreign place with dental professionals you don’t know.
During your pre-vacation appointment, you also receive a thorough professional cleaning. Dentists at Oakville can help remove any plaque and tartar buildup before giving your teeth a good polish. This reduces the risk of tooth decay while you’re away. Plus, your teeth will look brighter and more ready for all those upcoming vacation photo-ops.
The dental professionals at Oakville Place Dental Office are ready to assist you. Our team is highly trained, knowledgeable, and dedicated to keeping your mouth healthy for years to come. We provide a wide range of oral care services, including routine cleanings and comprehensive treatments. Oakville Place Dental Office stands out as one of the premier dental clinics in Oakville.
Before leaving for summer vacation, visit our modern and comfortable clinic in Oakville. We strive to make every one of your visits positive for the entire family. Additionally, we will work with your insurance company to bill them directly for applicable services whenever possible.
To make an appointment with your Oakville dentist, call Oakville Place Dental Office at 905-842-6030 or contact us here.
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