Oral hygiene while traveling: Tips for dental care on the road

Vacation at last! Laze around and let your soul dangle. Neither cooking nor cleaning. And what about brushing your teeth? Can you let it slide on vacation? Unfortunately not, because in most cases teeth and gums have to endure real endurance tests while traveling. On the one hand, this is due to unregulated meal times. On vacation, it's easier to treat yourself to an ice cream than at home. On the other hand, sometimes you don't have the opportunity to brush your teeth, for example, if you're going on an all-day excursion or have a long journey.

If you're honest with yourself, you know that you wouldn't actually have to miss out on brushing your teeth while traveling. After all, there are foldable travel toothbrushes in handy boxes that also have room for a small tube of toothpaste. With the travel toothbrush in your handbag or backpack, you can take care of your teeth in any washroom. No matter if you are on a plane or in a restaurant.

No toothbrush at hand: how to care for your teeth anyway

Many people do not want to unpack their toothbrush in any washroom or are simply too comfortable. In exceptional cases, you can then limit yourself to dental care chewing gum. Chewing produces more saliva, which on the one hand has the effect that the teeth are well rinsed. On the other hand, the acids from food residues are neutralized and attack the sensitive tooth enamel less.

More tips and tricks for oral hygiene on the go:

Water, especially mineral water, helps neutralize bacteria and acids in the mouth. Whenever possible, rinse your mouth with clean water to remove any food residue. Avoid sugary drinks whenever possible if you know brushing your teeth is likely to be off.

Choose snacks for in between meals carefully. So-called chewy foods, such as granola bars, carrots or apples, are recommended. Similar to chewing gum, eating them stimulates saliva production.

Pack a small bottle of mouthwash in your carry-on luggage. Mouthwashes have an antibacterial effect, reducing the formation of plaque. It also supports the remineralization of tooth enamel.

Oral hygiene while traveling: What to do in case of toothache?

Toothache can come from now to now and unfortunately also on vacation. It is generally advisable - especially before longer trips - to make an appointment with your dentist about four weeks before the start of your trip. Then there is still enough time for a possible treatment.

If you are still plagued by toothache on vacation, it helps to avoid coffee, cigarettes and sports activities and to avoid heat in case of mild toothache. In addition, you can use compresses to cool swellings and painkillers to bridge the time until you visit the dentist at home. If these emergency measures do not provide any relief, it is advisable to visit a dentist on site.

It is best to ask about the expected costs when making the appointment. In any case, you will need an invoice or receipt for reimbursement from your health insurance. Whether your health insurance will cover the cost of emergency dental treatment depends on a variety of factors. It is best to find out in advance to avoid any nasty surprises. It is also possible to take out private health insurance abroad for the time of your vacation.

Extra tip for users of electric toothbrushes

When traveling for long periods of time, remember to bring not only your handpiece, but also the recharger and, if necessary, a socket adapter. You will need this in many non-European countries as well as within Europe for Great Britain and Switzerland.