Dental Travel Tips
Summer’s approaching fast, and with it comes road trips, family vacations, and travel plans. We’re all for travel and vacations, but just because you’re going on vacation doesn’t mean you can take a break from oral hygiene. We’re not saying you have to pack an electric toothbrush or a Waterpik® if you’re going camping for the weekend, but you should make an appropriate plan to continue caring for your teeth and gums… or else you could end up with an unpleasant souvenir from your trip: a cavity. Make it easy for yourself with travel supplies. Packing for a trip, whether a road trip or an overseas flight, is always a pain. You never have enough room for everything you want to bring, or you forget something you definitely need (like a toothbrush). Prepare ahead by having a small case or bag with all the travel necessities—toothbrush, toothpaste, floss or picks, and mouth rinse, for starters. Travel sizes aren’t the most economical way to purchase supplies, but they are convenient and ensure you can breeze through security checks at the airport. [spacer size=”20″] Ditch the toothbrush case. Sure, it might not feel good to think about your toothbrush jostling up against shampoo, soap, deodorant, and all the other items you’ve got in your toiletries bag… but it’s not as bad as sealing a wet toothbrush inside a plastic case that doubles as a bacteria breeding ground. You can always wash your toothbrush with hot water when you get where you’re going. [spacer size=”20″] Carry on your supplies. A quick brush, floss, and rinse can do wonders to help you feel refreshed on a long flight or when you get to the airport—and going carry-on will save you headaches if your luggage is delayed. But don’t obsess about it. You’ll be able to get new replacements at a drugstore almost anywhere you go. [spacer size=”20″] Stick to your routine. When traveling, it’s all too easy to get caught up in sightseeing, hiking, and dining out. In fact, that may be the entire point of some vacations. But oral hygiene is one of those things where the routine matters. Remember to brush at night before bed, in the morning after waking up, and to floss at least once a day. [spacer size=”20″] If in doubt, use bottled water. In foreign countries, especially ones that are off the beaten path, play it safe by using bottled water for your oral hygiene routine. As a rule of thumb, if you’re going to avoid drinking tap water, then avoid using it for brushing. Thankfully, in these places, most hotels will provide a complimentary bottle or two every day. [spacer size=”20″] Stick with healthy snacks. When you’re on the go, whether in the car or out sightseeing, there’s a temptation to pick up junky snacks for a quick energy boost. Avoid doing so if you can. Not only is the energy from a candy bar or bottle of soda short-lived, sugary snacks and drinks give bacteria plenty of fuel to cause tooth decay. If you do give into temptation, you’ve packed your toothbrush in carry-on for a reason. Use it. And if you like to chew gum on a plane, stick with sugar-free. [spacer size=”20″] Finally, if you’re planning a long trip, consider a check-up before you go. When your departure date gets close, it’s easy to put off routine tasks until after your vacation. If one of those tasks is your dental checkup, reconsider. If you’ve got a nagging concern, like an achy tooth, get it taken care of before your vacation. The last thing anyone wants is a full-blown toothache ruining your vacation! [spacer size=”20″] We hope you’re all set to enjoy a great summer vacation, but don’t forget to take care of your teeth when you’re traveling. If you need to set an appointment for a check-up before you go, or if your schedule is just a little bit simpler during the summer months, call or visit our website to make your next appointment today.
Manual vs. Electric: The Battle for Best Brush
Once every three or four months, you inevitably find yourself standing in the oral hygiene aisle at the grocery store scanning rows and rows of an endless variety of toothbrushes. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors — and some of them even come with small motors. But how do you know which one is the best for you or your children? The Basics There are some basics you should look for when purchasing a new brush: The handle of the toothbrush should be a length and shape that best allows you to hold and maneuver it as you brush. The head of the toothbrush should be able to easily access all of the surfaces of your teeth. A half inch wide and one inch tall works best for most adults. Toothbrushes come with bristles that are categorized as hard, medium, and soft. Soft is preferable for most people; medium- and hard-bristled brushes can cause damage to tooth enamel. Choose a brush with American Dental Association-approved nylon bristles. Manual or Electric Electric toothbrushes have become increasingly popular over the last several years. They come in all shapes and sizes, and they are suited for both children and adults. But are they more effective than manually brushing your teeth with a traditional brush? The American Dental Association (ADA) has addressed this topic in multiple news releases, saying that manual brushes can indeed be as effective as electric. People using manual brushes who have excellent oral hygiene practices can prevent tooth decay as well as those who use electric. Electric toothbrushes can be very helpful for people who have difficulty adequately brushing. Individuals who suffer from a disability or arthritis, as well as children just learning to brush, stand to benefit from using a suitable electric brush. Manual vs. Electric Both manual and electric toothbrushes have their benefits and their drawbacks. This is how they stack up next to each other. Benefits of the Manual Toothbrush Teeth can be adequately cleaned after only two minutes of brushing. Toothbrushes come in a large variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, so you can find the one that works perfectly for you and each of your family members, including your children. Some children’s brushes come with their favorite characters on them, making them extra appealing and fun to brush with. Low maintenance and travel friendly, manual toothbrushes don’t require batteries or electricity for recharging, and you can just pop them in your travel pack or purse when you are on the go. Manual toothbrushes are low cost or free (with some dental visits). Benefits of the Electric Toothbrush There’s little work with a lot of payoff. With very little effort, these toothbrushes thoroughly clean your teeth. Many electric toothbrushes come with a timer so you don’t even have to pay attention to the clock — perfect for those groggy mornings. These brushes are child friendly and tend to alleviate the battle parents typically face when trying to get their children to brush their teeth. Oftentimes children even look forward to the task. These brushes also come with fun characters printed on them. Disadvantages of the Manual Toothbrush Using a manual toothbrush requires more effort and attention than when using an electric toothbrush. Disadvantages of the Electric Toothbrush These brushes are more expensive than the manual alternative. Electric brushes are higher maintenance as they require batteries and the ability to recharge, which also makes them more challenging to travel with. There are some basics that should be covered by any good brush. Whether you should choose to purchase a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush for your oral hygiene routine largely depends on your personal and lifestyle choices. While choosing the right toothbrush for yourself and your children is important, dedication your daily at-home oral hygiene routine and making it to your routine dental visits is crucial to maintaining your oral health. If you would like to learn more about products and oral hygiene habits that will help you maintain your best oral health, call us today at 661.202.3542 to set up an appointment.
