Whether you’re living the digital nomad lifestyle or you just love to travel, things are different when you’re on the road. Everything changes – including your morning and evening routines. But brushing and flossing are just as important when you’re traveling.
Honestly, a good oral health routine is even more important when you’re away from home – who doesn’t indulge and dine out a bit more when they’re visiting exciting new places? If that sounds familiar, this guide is for you – we’ll help you keep your teeth looking their best while you’re travelling.
Get your teeth cleaned before you leave
If you’re going on a long journey, you should get your teeth professionally cleaned by a hygienist before you leave.
As UDental Clinic puts it on their homepage “Preventative maintenance is essential if you want to avoid costly and painful dental issues”. When you’re in a new country, you might not know how to access their dental services – you may also be unsure about the quality of their dental services. By getting a cleaning and check-up before you leave, you’re giving yourself a measure of protection against unexpected dental problems while you’re away.
It’s a good idea to get your teeth cleaned every 6 months or so – it helps stave dental illness away, and keeps your smile looking its best! If you’re away pretty much nonstop, look at reviews for dentists in your area or the area you’re planning to go to, and try to book an appointment every 6 months, even when you’re on the road.
Store your toothbrush properly
The best way to store your toothbrush is to keep it in a ventilated toiletry bag after covering it with a plastic cap (which should also be ventilated).
Don’t store your toothbrush in a plastic bag. When your toothbrush isn’t ventilated, it stays damp, and that can lead to bacteria flourishing. As you can imagine, that’s very bad for your oral health.
Keep your oral health routine intact
This is especially important if you’re living the digital nomad lifestyle. There’s a lot of jet lag, a lot of time spent in airports, and a lot of ways your oral health routine can be disrupted.
Don’t let these barriers stop you from taking care of your teeth. Brush and floss in the airport if you need to – you might get weird looks from some, but you’ll get nods of approval from the others who are living the same lifestyle as you. Did you miss a chance to brush? Keep sugar-free gum on you at all times – it can help freshen your breath and stimulate saliva production, which helps to remineralize and strengthen your teeth.
While regular brushing and flossing paired with the occasional sugar-free gum substitute can’t replace the benefits of a routine hygiene treatment, they’ll keep your teeth as strong and healthy as possible until you can make it to a dentist.
Pack portably, and pack extras
When you’re always on the road, there’s often very little room to spare for extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. You always want to pack an extra of each, though – it can be easy to accidentally leave your oral hygiene products behind in a bathroom.
That’s why you should opt for everything to be travel-sized. Small items save space, and give you room for an extra set of everything – just in case.
Water quality matters
You may find yourself venturing to places where the tap water isn’t drinkable. When water isn’t potable, you can’t use it on your toothbrush either. Make sure you always check the water quality of the area you’re in, and only use clean water for your toothbrush. Keep bottled water by your bathroom sink to make brushing your teeth easy.
Enjoy your travels!
With a healthy mouth, all of the culinary delights of the world will be at your fingertips. Go out there, and enjoy the wonderful food the world has to offer.
Thanks for reading!
