It can be easy to neglect your oral hygiene habits when traveling; after all, you’re away from home and out of your normal routine. With a little advance planning, you can avoid taking a vacation from your dental health during your travels!
Dental Health Tips from Your Seattle Dentist
7 Dental Tips for Travel
- Schedule your cleaning and checkup with your dentist in Ballard Seattle prior to planned travel to ensure any problems are identified and treated before you leave. Call us at 206-784-6310 to book your appointment.
- Remember to pack your toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash. If you wear a night guard, pack that too!
- Use a protective cover for your toothbrush that has holes for ventilation.
- If traveling by air, keep your toothbrush and floss handy in your personal item for easy access during the flight.
- During long flights, drink plenty of water, avoid sticky snacks, and chew sugar-free gum.
- When you arrive at your destination, take your toothbrush out of its cover – a wet toothbrush can breed bacteria. Allow your toothbrush to dry thoroughly before covering it again.
- If the water isn’t safe to drink where you’re vacationing, it’s not safe for brushing either! Use bottled water instead.
Dental Emergencies While Traveling
Emergencies happen! Here are a few preventive tips to help avoid a dental disaster:
- Avoid chewing ice, hard candies, or other foods that could chip or crack your teeth.
- Pack an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen, in case of a toothache.
- Double-check your dental insurance to be aware of what’s covered while traveling in other states.
When traveling abroad, it’s especially important to find a trusted professional if you need emergency dental care. Many countries have dental associations that can refer you to a dentist locally, if needed. If you have a travel insurance policy, contact the insurance company to find a qualified dentist near you.
If you experience severe tooth pain or trauma while traveling, feel free to call our office at 206-784-6310 to discuss your symptoms. We can help you determine if it’s urgent to see a dentist right away or if you can wait until you return home to seek treatment.
The entire team here at Smile Ballard wishes you safe and festive travels!