With traveling becoming a viable option once more, you might be excited to book a getaway and go on an adventure. With all the excitement of visiting a new locale and seeing the world, it can be easy to let your oral health take a backseat to just enjoying new places. That said, there are some easy ways to maintain your smile, like keeping up with your regular brushing and flossing, no matter where your find yourself. In today’s blog, your North Hollywood, CA dentist discusses travel tips that will help you keep your teeth healthy all across the globe. 

Kick Things Off With A Checkup

Before you travel, it could be a good idea to schedule an exam and cleaning. You will be able to rest easy knowing that everything looks healthy and that you won’t have any surprises you’ll have to deal with in a new, unfamiliar place. If there is something out of the ordinary, your dentist will spot it before you leave, and they will either be able to take care of it before you leave, or they can give you precautions to maintain your oral health while away. Moreover, a professional cleaning will leave your mouth feeling fresh, and you will feel confident with the brightness of your smile as you explore your vacation spot. 

Tips While You’re Away

Make sure you have all of your dentist’s contact information on hand when you’re away. If you think something might be amiss, you can call them to ask questions, and they’ll be able to provide helpful advice. They might say you’re fine and can wait until you’re home if the necessary fix is something minor. If your dentist thinks you might need immediate oral surgery, for example, they could suggest visiting a local dentist. If you are traveling overseas, you should seek dentist recommendations from the U.S. Embassy or local consulate. 

When you pack a toothbrush, make sure it is in a sealable plastic bag or a dedicated container, separate from everything else. It is important for it to remain dry. If you find yourself without a toothbrush for any reason, and you aren’t able to buy one immediately, you can vigorously rinse out your mouth with water to dislodge food particles. You can also put a little toothpaste on a clean finger and use that as a stop-gap measure. 

If you are somewhere that has questionable water quality or restrictions on water use, you should use bottled water to brush and rinse your mouth. The last thing you want when abroad is to get sick from the water. Once you get back, just reestablish your routine of brushing twice a day and flossing each night. 

Contact Us For More Travel Tips

If you have more questions about travel tips to help maintain a healthy smile, do not hesitate to contact Modern Smiles in North Hollywood, CA by calling 818-763-9353 today.