Essential Tips for Maintaining Oral Hygiene While Traveling
Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine can be challenging when traveling, as time zone changes, busy itineraries, and limited access to familiar products can disrupt your normal habits. To help you keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy while on the go, Dr. Erica Faust, founder of Elite Orthodontics in New York City, offers her top advice for travel dental care.
Your Top Travel Dental Tips
Dr. Erica Faust, a respected orthodontics expert, provides a few simple yet effective strategies to keep your smile in great shape during your next trip. “If your standard toothbrush is electric, there are some great smaller travel options – brands such as Quip and Philips. While traveling, it’s perfectly reasonable to use a manual toothbrush for a short trip, as long as it’s a soft-bristle brush. Your usual oral hygiene routine may be disrupted due to time zone changes or activities during your trip. Try your best to at least rinse with water after meals, especially after sweets or acidic drinks like lemonade or white wine. Be sure to remember to bring any special products you may need but not have easy access to—such as floss threaders for use with crown and bridge work or braces, and orthodontic retainer cleaning solution for aligners and retainers.”
The Truth About Dental Picks and Travel Brushes
Many people turn to dental picks for quick cleaning during travel, but a comprehensive clean still requires a more traditional approach. Dr. Faust provides her professional opinion on their use. “Dental picks can be fine if they’re your only alternative. However, for a more thorough clean between teeth, traditional floss is best. Dental picks only clean between the teeth above the gumline, whereas traditional string floss can extend below, accessing areas that are impossible to reach with only a toothbrush. In many cases, flossing is more beneficial than brushing. Both are equally important for a comprehensive oral hygiene routine.” Beyond standard brushes, she also recommends a few travel-friendly tools to help remove plaque and protect teeth from stains and cavities while away from home. “Disposable travel toothbrushes like the Colgate Wisp are great options. These are small, pre-pasted, single-use brushes that are perfect for busy travel days or outdoor activities like hiking and camping. There are also travel sizes of popular mouth rinses like Listerine, as well as Listerine Ready! Tabs that dissolve in the mouth and work as a rinse.”
The Scoop on Non-Liquid Toothpaste Alternatives
Non-liquid toothpaste alternatives, such as tablets and powders, are becoming increasingly popular for their convenience, particularly for air travel. Dr. Faust weighs in on their effectiveness and what to look for. “Toothpaste tablets are a fine alternative to traditional paste and are preferable to powders, which may be a bit too abrasive depending on the ingredients. It’s important to note that tooth enamel is more fragile than people realize and can be damaged by materials that are too abrasive. Tablets also appeal to people seeking sustainable, plastic-free options and are easier to pack in your luggage.”
Protecting Your Smile from Vacation Habits
Dr. Faust offers simple, actionable advice to help travelers mitigate risks to their oral health. “In general, traveling can take you out of your normal routine and make it difficult to maintain your usual habits. Rinsing after meals and alcoholic drinks is the best way to flush food and sugars away until you can get back to your hotel room and brush properly. This is particularly true of wearing any orthodontic appliances like braces or aligners. There are many products that are easy to pack that can help you maintain your smile and hygiene until you return home to your regular products for comprehensive care.”
