Are you counting down the days until your summer vacation? Whether you plan to travel abroad, take a road trip, or stay local, you don’t want your trip to include a painful dental injury. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to significantly reduce the chances of that happening to you. So, keep reading to learn four summer vacation-specific oral health tips!
Tip #1: Schedule a Dental Checkup and Cleaning Before You Leave
The days and weeks leading up to your trip can be hectic. However, it’s worth putting some time aside to visit your dental team. That way, they can examine your teeth and gums to make sure there aren’t any untreated oral health issues, like tooth decay or gum disease. These dramatically increase your chances of experiencing a dental emergency while away, so it’s crucial that you seek treatment before that happens.
Tip #2: Make Sure You’ve Packed All of Your Oral Hygiene Essentials
Whether you’re planning an overnight trip or you’re going to be gone for several weeks, it’s of the utmost importance that you pack all of your oral hygiene essentials. That starts with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride and extends to floss and travel-sized mouthwash. It’s also a good idea to keep your dentist’s contact information on hand in case anything unexpected happens, like you chip a tooth.
Tip #3: Exercise Caution with Extremely Hard and Crunchy Foods
Trying new cuisines is one of the best parts of traveling! While you should certainly indulge, make sure to exercise caution with extremely hard and crunchy foods. If you don’t, you could end up with a serious chip, crack, or fracture, which can negatively impact the look, health, and function of your smile.
Tip #4: Wear a Lip Balm with SPF Daily
If you’re heading somewhere sunny, you’ve likely packed some sunscreen to protect your skin from burning. Similarly, you should pack a lip balm with SPF! In addition to preventing your lips from blistering, wearing this daily can help reduce your chances of developing oral cancer.
About the Practice
Our entire team at Mayberry Dental strives to provide our patients in Vienna with the exceptional dental care they deserve. That starts with a commitment to exceptional customer service and expands to utilizing the latest dental technology and providing a wide range of treatments in one convenient location. Whether you need to schedule your routine checkup before you leave town or you want to explore the cosmetic dental services we offer for a vacation-ready smile, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our team via our website or by phone at (703) 281-2111.