Even when you dream of a vacation or a trip, there’s still no place like home – especially when it comes to dental care.
Prevention isn’t just about caring for your teeth – it’s about building a relationship with your dentist. If you can, schedule your next visit before you travel and have a full check-up, so that we can detect and fix any problem in time.
Emergency help…
Having your dentist’s mobile number in your phone or their business card in your wallet is handy (essential, in fact). More urgent cases can be handled over the phone than you might think – it’s hard for a patient to tell which cases need immediate treatment and which can wait until you’re back from your trip.
If you need urgent help abroad…
If you’re abroad and urgently need to see a dentist, you can go to a local clinic or contact your country’s consulate. You can also ask the hotel staff about local dental clinics.
Forgot your toothbrush?
Sunscreen? Check. Phone charger? Check. Toothbrush? Oops…
If you find yourself temporarily without a toothbrush, you can rinse your mouth with water often to wash away caries-causing bacteria. You can also put toothpaste on a clean cloth or your finger and brush your teeth. When you reach the nearest pharmacy, buy a new toothbrush.
How to carry your toothbrush
Air-drying your toothbrush is the best way to keep it clean, but when you’re on vacation that isn’t always possible. Disposable plastic bags are the ideal solution: they keep the toothbrush clean and protect it from contact with other items, which is very important. Make sure you dry it well, leave the bag open and let the air dry it.
Take sugar-free chewing gum on your trip
Chewing sugar-free gum will help relieve pressure during a flight and also protect you from caries. Studies have shown that chewing gum for 20 minutes after eating helps prevent caries, because chewing gum produces a lot of saliva, which washes away the caries-causing bacteria.
When you’re not sure the local water is clean, use bottled water
If you’re in a country where water is limited or you’re not sure it’s clean, use bottled water to brush your teeth. Don’t use local tap water. What should you do if local water accidentally gets on your toothbrush? Buy a new one if you can. If that’s not possible, rinse it well with bottled water to protect yourself from illness. When you arrive at your destination, open the bag and let it air-dry.
Get back to your usual routine after your trip
If you didn’t use your toothbrush and floss or ate lots of sweets, don’t be too hard on yourself – just get back to your usual routine: brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes and floss when you get home.
