A vacation is a great time to get away from it all. We don’t want you to have to worry about anything while you travel – including dental care on the road. A little advance preparation is key to keeping your smile in great shape, no matter where you are.
Check out our five tips for dental care on the go:
- Schedule an Exam Before Your Trip
- Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- Watch What You Eat and Drink
- Keep a Supply of Sugarless Gum
- Properly Store Your Toothbrush
If you have any questions or need to make an appointment, call R.R. Williams DDS today at 817-281-4801.
See Our Team Before Your Trip
Make time for a dental exam and cleaning before you leave home. Dr. Williams will treat issues like small cavities, so they won’t become bigger problems during your vacation. A pre-trip exam is especially important if you’re traveling to a place with limited access to dental care or if you don’t speak the language and might experience difficulty communicating with a dentist.
Dr. Williams will also want to make sure your dental fillings and crowns are in good shape if you’ll be spending time in the mountains, on a long flight, or scuba diving. Restorations that are loose or damaged can create an opportunity for air to get inside your teeth while you are under atmospheric pressure. This can cause an uncomfortable condition called barodontalgia or “tooth squeeze.”
Reach Out to Our Office in a Dental Emergency
Hopefully, you won’t experience a dental emergency on your trip, but you should be prepared just in case. Add our office number and our after-hours number, which can be used at night and on weekends, to your phone contacts. Keep a copy in your wallet too, in case your phone battery dies. We’re happy to advise you on the best way to handle your emergency.
For problems that can’t wait until you get home, your insurance company may be able to offer assistance in finding a qualified dentist who can treat you. If you’re in another country, try contacting the local consulate, or the U.S. embassy.
Be Careful What You Eat & Drink, Even the Water
It’s always a good idea to limit your consumption of sugary and acidic foods and beverages. It’s even more important on long flights or car rides, where you may go extended stretches without brushing and flossing. If you can’t brush, rinse your mouth out with water. If you’re visiting an area where the water supply can make you sick, don’t brush your teeth with it either. Stick with bottled water.
Chew Sugarless Gum
Another good option for cleaning teeth between brushing is chewing sugarless gum. It spurs the production of saliva, which helps remove food debris and bacteria from teeth. Look for a gum that contains xylitol, a natural substance that makes your smile less susceptible to decay. If you’re driving or flying into higher elevations, the gum will also relieve painful ear pressure.
Let Air Get to Your Toothbrush
You want to keep your toothbrush as free of bacteria as you can. Store it in a holder that has holes for ventilation to keep it as dry as possible. Remove your brush right after you arrive, and place it in a spot where air can circulate around it.
Dental care on the road doesn’t have to be a big deal. Call R.R. Williams DDS today at 817-281-4801 if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment in North Richland Hills, TX.