How to Keep Teeth Healthy During Travel

Flossing, brushing and using mouthwash at least twice per day is the standard, but travel can have a way of impeding on your routine, especially if you are traveling with children.

Firstly, for families or individuals traveling regularly, invest in a toothbrush that is easy to travel with. This sounds like a no-brainer, but investing in something like a Quip toothbrush can make dental health while traveling simpler. These are pretty affordable, even if you are grabbing one for each member of the family. There are plans for adults and children, and the starter kits include the actual electric toothbrush, replaceable brush heads and toothpaste. There are refill plans as well, which deliver new heads and toothpaste every three months. To top it all off, Quip is easily travel-able and comes with a brush head cover, so you can toss it in your carry-on.

Make sure to carry floss with you. This, like the toothbrush tip, sounds simple, but it’s pretty easy to forget to pack floss. Just grab a package of standard string floss, not the picks, and toss them into your regular toiletry bag or carry-on.

Kids brushing teeth. Photo: Anna Kraynova | Dreamstime.com

Much like floss, mouthwash can be tough to remember. Add in the fact it’s a liquid and typically too large to get through TSA screenings — it’s easy to simply forgo mouthwash for a few days. Find a few travel-sized options and toss them into your bag, as it can come in handy on long flights.

Especially when considering caring for kids’ mouthcare, get mouthwash that does not sting. Get a no-burn flavor and monitor younger kids as they practice dental hygiene, ensuring they don’t swallow the mouthwash or toothpaste.

The best way to build and maintain good habits while away is to practice regularly. If you are used to brushing, flossing and using mouthwash as a family, it’s much more likely you will bring those habits on the road with you. Then, the next time your dental hygienist asks if you floss regularly, you won’t need to lie.