In the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, millions of people hit the road or head to the airport to be with loved ones. If you’re one of them, then you know all too well how much preparation goes into leaving town. Despite this, your teeth won’t take care of themselves; you need to continue to prioritize your oral health! Don’t worry – you can do so with a few simple steps, which we are sharing right here.
1. Pass on the Sugary Drinks
Cutting back on sugar during the holiday season may seem like an impossible ask. However, small steps can go a long way, like not drinking a white chocolate latte, fizzy soda, or creamy milkshake on the road. Instead, stick to water! Not only will it keep you hydrated, but it will also prevent food particles, bacteria, and other debris from sticking to your teeth.
2. Pack Your Dental Care Tools in Your Carry-On
Hopefully, your travel day will go without any hiccups or delays. If something does go wrong, however, like your flight gets delayed or the airport loses your suitcase, it’s helpful to have your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash in your carry-on. That way, you can easily complete your oral hygiene regimen from wherever you are.
3. Don’t Forget Sugar-Free Gum!
Ideally, you would have the time to brush after each meal. With the hecticness that comes with the holiday season, that’s not always possible though. As a backup, chew on some sugar-free gum! This will help stimulate saliva production to keep food particles from clinging to your teeth in the meantime.
4. Continue to Brush and Floss Consistently
Although you may be able to leave some of your day-to-day things behind during the holidays, like your early-morning workout class, you can’t skip your oral hygiene regimen. Whether you’re at home, in a hotel, or staying with family, you need to brush twice a day as well as floss and rinse with mouthwash each evening.
With these best practices in place, you can keep your smile healthy throughout the holiday season and well into the new year!
About the Doctor
Dr. Hal M. Lippard (a.k.a. “Dr. Hal”) has been helping patients smile for decades now, and he never gets tired of helping those in his treatment chair get the personalized, compassionate dental care they deserve. His career in dentistry began at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. Following graduation, he spent four years in the U.S. Army Dental Corps and opened his own practice right here in Charlottesville. If you want to schedule an appointment with him before heading out of town (or you’d like to schedule your first appointment of 2024), don’t hesitate to visit his website or call (434) 293-9311.