5 Oral Health Tips to Implement During Your Summer Vacation

Is your summer vacation rapidly approaching? Congratulations! Whether you’re taking a road trip across the U.S., flying to a different country, or planning to stay local, the last thing you want is for a serious dental emergency to bring your plans to a screeching halt. To help prevent that from happening, it’s important to care for your smile even when you’re away from home. If you’re unsure where to start, here are five specific oral health tips for your summer vacation!

Tip #1: Pack (and Use!) Your Oral Hygiene Essentials

In your bag, you need a soft-bristled toothbrush, toothpaste with fluoride, a pack of floss, and some travel-sized mouthwash. That way, you can complete your entire oral hygiene routine with ease each day. Remember, timing is important as well, so make sure to brush for a full two minutes and rinse with mouthwash for 30-60 seconds!

Tip #2: Keep Sugar-Free Gum On Hand

Whether you’re eating lunch in the car or at a nice restaurant, it’s not always feasible to brush your teeth after each meal. That’s where sugar-free gum comes in. Chewing on a piece will help stimulate saliva production, rinsing food particles from your teeth and gums until you have a chance to complete your dental care regimen.

Tip #3: Drink Plenty of Water Throughout the Day

On vacation, it can be tempting to opt for “fun” drinks, like mouth-puckering lemonade, fizzy sodas, and fancy wines. While indulging is certainly okay in moderation, it’s equally as important to drink lots of water. This will benefit you in multiple ways, from keeping you hydrated to preventing food particles from lingering on your teeth.

Tip #4: Exercise Caution When Eating Hard Foods

While traveling, you may want to try the local cuisine. Just make sure to exercise caution with particularly crunchy foods. One wrong bite can leave you with a cracked or fractured tooth, resulting in you having to handle a dental emergency away from home.

Tip #5: Wear a Mouthguard If You’re Playing Sports

If beach volleyball or another summer sport is on your list of to-dos, wear a mouthguard. It may seem unnecessary, but it’s important to remember that five million teeth are knocked out each year in sports-related accidents. So, you need to protect your teeth!

About the Doctor

Over the years, Dr. Alan R. DeAngelo has been named one of America’s Top Dentists by the Consumer Research Council and received the Top Doc Chicago Award! Some of his other accomplishments include studying at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, becoming certified in Invisalign, and earning his certification in dental lasers through the World Clinical Laser Institute. Above all else, he genuinely loves helping his patients achieve the best smiles. So, if you have a question about your oral health or are overdue for your biannual checkup, visit his website or call (708) 854-5912.