Travel tips for your teeth

Whether you’re a vacation-once-in-a-while type or a wanderlust who’s always in the middle of booking your next trip, you’re probably aware of some of the common things you can do to take care of your body while you travel: get enough sleep, stay hydrated, choose healthy foods, drink alcohol only in moderation and get a little exercise.

But did you know there are also things you can do to take care of your teeth when you travel? Here are eight tips from the American Dental Association (ADA) — and you can start while you’re still at home.

Stay current with your checkups

The important care you receive during regular preventive dental exams can give you peace of mind: a clean bill of health, or maybe the relief that comes with knowing a small problem was detected — and treated — before it could become a bigger one.

Regular checkups also help maintain a good patient-dentist relationship. And that can come in handy if you’ll be traveling far from home. Armed with the most up-to-date information on your teeth, including X-rays, your dentist will be better prepared to help you from afar, if necessary.

Keep your dentist’s contact information handy in case of an emergency

Make sure you have your dentist’s phone number in your cellphone contacts, or carry a business card in your wallet. If you’re having a dental problem while out of town, call your dentist, who may be able to advise you whether your problem needs to be treated right away, or if it can wait until you get home. In fact, some dental emergencies can be resolved over the phone for the time being.

Transport your toothbrush safely

Use a plastic case or resealable plastic bag to keep your toothbrush clean and out of contact with other items in your bag. When you get to your destination, take your toothbrush out and let it air dry, the way you do at home.

When in doubt, brush with bottled water

If you’re on an adventure in the wilderness and aren’t sure how clean a creek’s water is, or in a country where the water supply may be compromised, always use bottled water to brush your teeth.

If you need to see a dentist while you’re overseas, contact the local consulate

If you’re traveling out of the country and need to see a dentist, the ADA recommends getting in touch with the local consulate or U.S. embassy for a recommendation on who to see. It’s OK to check with the concierge at your hotel, but checking with the consulate and its employees may result in a more independent recommendation than what you might receive from the concierge.

Use an ADA Seal of Acceptance toothbrush

If you forget or lose your toothbrush, replace it with one that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If you can’t find any Seal products, buy the softest brush you can find. While you’re temporarily without your toothbrush, clean your teeth by rinsing your mouth vigorously with water. You can also put some toothpaste on a clean washcloth or clean finger in a pinch.

Chew ADA-accepted gum

Research showed that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent cavities. That’s because it gets saliva flowing to help wash away cavity-causing bacteria. Look for sugarless gum with the ADA Seal.

Get back on track when you get home

If you find it hard to stick to your brushing and flossing health regimen when you travel, just get back to your normal dental care routine as soon as you can when you get home. For most people, that means brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing.

By keeping up on your dental care — at home and with regular checkups — and following these tips when you travel, your teeth will play only a happy role in your vacation as you enjoy local cuisine and smile for the camera.