Dental Tips for the Summer

With summer here, here are some things you can do to prioritize your dental health during your trips and vacation. Taking care of your teeth may not be top of mind during your vacation planning process but it’s important to make sure you are doing the right things to prevent a dental emergency. Read on for advice for protecting your teeth and to learn what should do in case of a dental emergency.

Keep up your oral hygiene

When you’re on vacation, it may be tempting to slack on your daily oral hygiene habits. Pausing routine flossing or brushing can lead to swollen gums and a mouth filled with plaque. Your next dental visit may require more dental work. To avoid this, remember to add dental essentials to your packing checklist. These items can slip your mind and if you do forget, check with your hotel if they provide them. For trips that last several months, replace your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles start wearing out.

Don’t forget to eat well

We know vacations can be a great time to try and indulge in new foods, but some foods may not be the best for our teeth. If you have an existing dental condition, ask your dentist for a list of foods you should avoid. For example, if you are susceptible to gum disease, you should continue to reduce the amount of sugary and acidic foods you eat. Have a bottle of water handy nearby to rinse your mouth after if you do eat these items.

For those who currently have braces, continue avoiding crunchy and sticky foods to protect your brackets. Who wants a broken bracket during an amazing summer vacation?

What to do during a dental emergency

We’re keeping our fingers crossed that an emergency dental visit will not be part of your trip. But, it is a good idea to research nearby dental offices in the area you are visiting just in case. Castle Dental has sister offices all across the country so visit our website to see if there is an office near your trip. Dental issues such as a knocked-out tooth, dental abscesses, or any facial trauma or oral injuries caused by an accident are considered dental emergencies and will require immediate attention. Don’t wait to call a dental office for an appointment. You may also want to consider purchasing travel insurance to help cover any emergencies.

We hope these tips will help you prioritize your dental health during your vacation and trips. Don’t let dental problems ruin your summer!