Planning to travel soon? Don’t forget to take your oral hygiene routine with you.

While maintaining good dental care may be more challenging as your days become busier, you’ll want to avoid dental emergencies. You’re away from home and your dentist in NW Calgary and oral health care may not be easily accessible where you are. 

Here are some dental hygiene tips to maintain good oral health while traveling:

1. See your dentist before leaving. Include it on your to-do list before leaving. Allow yourself some time for follow-up checks too. A dental checkup is all the more essential if you’re currently undergoing dental treatments or use an oral appliance. You might also want to ask your dentist if they can recommend a dental professional in your travel destination.

2. Get in touch with your dental insurance provider. Contact your dental insurance provider to see which services you’ll be covered for if you’re going abroad. Take note of contact information you may find useful in case of dental emergencies. You may also be able to gather data on offices or practitioners that accept your insurance.

3. Pack your supplies. Pack your dental kit with you. Take a spare toothbrush with you in case you forget or lose the one you’re using. It might be hard to get to the grocery or pharmacy, depending on your location. Preparing dental supplies keeps you from forgetting essentials, for example a specific tool for your oral appliance, which can be hard to find elsewhere. You might also want to pack medications, such as pain-relievers. 

4. Dry your toothbrush. This might not be possible at all times. But when you can, leave your toothbrush to air dry before storing it back in your luggage. A wet toothbrush can host harmful bacteria, which you can transfer to your mouth when you brush.

5. Use safe drinking water. Only use water you would drink to brush your teeth. If unsure about the quality and safety of the water source, use bottled water instead. You can still brush even if you run out of toothpaste, but you need to ensure that you’re using clean water. Otherwise you risk contracting an illness. The last thing you’ll want to deal with is a health emergency.

6. Minimize intake of starchy or sugary food. It’s okay to indulge in a gastronomic tour. You wouldn't want to miss your chance to taste authentic local dishes or treats. However, you’ll want to avoid grazing throughout the day. You’ll also want to limit your intake of sugary and starchy food which tend to linger on teeth longer, be harder to remove, and attract harmful bacteria leading to plaque and decay.

7. Drink plenty of water. If you cannot brush or floss after meals, skip the sugary or acidic beverages and drink plain water instead. Water is beneficial to the mouth as it rinses away debris, keeps it moist, neutralizes acid levels, doesn’t stain teeth, and reduces bad breath.

Keep your smile ready for conversations and the camera. Take care of your oral health when you’re traveling. Have fun and avoid common dental problems, such as toothache and dental infections.

When you get back, find the time to see your dentist in NW Calgary as soon as possible, especially if you feel you’ve been out of track for a while. Not to worry, your dental team is here to help you get your oral health back in good condition.

A comprehensive examination at the dental office can pinpoint its cause and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. In one case report, a young healthy patient reported being dizzy. His medical checkups showed no signs of abnormality, but after his routine oral exam, his dental team detected a chronic abscess infection in his molar area, close to the sinus. A root canal was then performed, which resolved thedizziness. Recover from tooth infection and dizziness with help from your dental teamProper diagnosis is crucial to your recovery so see your dentist today if you’re experiencing a toothachewithdizziness. Enduring the pain willonly worsen the issue. Dizziness can lead to fainting andpose serious safety issues. Losing your balance while driving or working with machinery can lead to fatal accidents. If you’re hesitant to see the dentist due to dental fears or anxiety, we’re here to support you. Get in touch with us today so we can alleviateyour concerns, protect your oral health,and improve your quality of lifeas a result.