You’ve got your luggage packed and your plane ticket secured. All that’s left to do now is wake up early tomorrow morning and pack your oral care kit before you leave. But what exactly do you have packed in it? Are there additional items worth having in case of an emergency?
Traveling for the holidays can be a stressful time, especially for your oral health. That’s why you should consider these four tips a dentist recommends to everyone who intends to travel in the near future.
Bring the Right Gear for Oral Care
While it should be obvious that you bring your toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, there are other items that may be worth consideration. If you have dental fillings or crowns, are you going to be able to reseat them if they suddenly become dislodged? If you use a denture, do you have a backup in case your current denture is lost? Are you putting your oral care kit in your carry-on or solely relying on your luggage? If you’re currently going through a clear aligner treatment, do you have a backup pair in case your current pair is lost or damaged? Staying prepared while traveling is half the battle, so take the time to consider exactly which items you’ll need.
Don’t Revert Back to Bad Oral Habits
It’s no secret that traveling is a stressful experience for most people. The more stressed out you become, the more likely you are to resort to old habits, especially if you’re trying to ease anxiety. This can lead to nail-biting, teeth clenching or grinding, and chewing other inedible objects like pens and pencils. That’s why it’s important to keep your hands busy while you travel. Listen to music, read a book or draw to keep your mind and/or hands busy.
Watch Out for Damaging Foods
Certain foods aren’t typically around except during the holidays. This is usually because of their high sugar or starch content, which is often the case for Christmas cookies or candy platters. If you’re served food that is particularly hard, chewy or tough on teeth, politely decline. Say that you’re working on avoiding these foods for your New Year’s resolution. After all, maintaining good oral health is a great place to start.
Pay a Visit to the Dentist Before Leaving
If you haven’t been to the dentist in recent months, there is no better time than now to pay them a visit. They can confirm many aspects about your oral health, including the quality of your at-home care and the current state of your restorations. Routine visits have been proven to reduce the risk of a dental emergency occurring, and you definitely don’t want that to be the case when you’re hundreds or thousands of miles away from home.
No matter what your holiday plans are, make sure to pay visit to your dentist before the new year is up!
About the Author
Dr. Ramandeep Badhan earned his DDS degree from the New York University School of Dentistry. He’s educated on a wide variety of dental topics and works hard to help patients protect their smile prior to holiday travels. If you’re overdue for a visit, you can contact his office through his website to schedule your next appointment.