Taking a Summer Vacation?
If you are planning a trip far from home, it is important to keep up good oral hygiene while you are away. And, even if you are enjoying your summer at home in our beautiful Portland area, we have some tips to keep your teeth in good shape. We want to help you avoid having a dental problem pop up in the middle of your vacation or spoiling your summer fun.
Here are some simple tips to keep your teeth healthy during summer:
1. Be prepared just in case.
Call us immediately if you have a dental emergency. We should be able to help, or we can direct you to the best type of treatment. Then we can take more permanent action once you are back home. If you are traveling, you can also search on Google for a dentist in that location who has good reviews so that you have them in your phone, just in case.
3. Pack ahead.
Make sure to pack all of your dental hygiene supplies such as your tooth brush, tooth paste, dental floss, and mouth rinse. If you will be in a car, train or plane for a good amount of time, take along portable tooth products such as a collapsible toothbrush and disposable tooth picks.
4. Choose your snacks wisely.
Summers are full of fun travels, picnics and barbecues. These often change our normal eating habits and it’s easy to eat more cavity-producing foods. For example, foods such as chips, crackers and cookies tend stick to your teeth and in between your teeth more. This becomes a bacterial feeding ground for cavities to form. Candies that are hard or sticky can cause a lot of damage. They can break or chip teeth as well as cause fillings to fall out. Try to choose healthy snacks as much as you can. Even if you indulge your sweet tooth, stay away from hard or sticky candies.
5. Avoid chewing ice.
Try to be mindful of not chewing on ice. Chewing on ice can damage your teeth. When you finish your drink get a refill. Better yet, when you are done with your drink fill up your cup with some water rather than chew on the leftover ice.
6. Get a checkup before you leave.
Come in and see us for a checkup now. We can catch any forming cavities or other dental problems before you leave for a vacation or start on your summer fun. This can save you unnecessary annoyance and possible pain on your trip.
So add us to your “To Do” list before you go on a trip. Contact us now and we’ll get you scheduled and on your way!
Wishing you the best of summer holidays!
Sincerely,
Dr. Dave