22 Sep How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy When You’re On-the-Go
Whether your days are full of kids’ activities, business travel, or weekend trips for golfing, camping or sightseeing, it can be easy to let your oral care slide. Late nights, early mornings, and unexpected changes of plans often lead to poor habits with brushing and flossing. While living an active lifestyle can be challenging, staying on top of your dental care doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to take great care of your teeth when you’re on-the-go.
Keeping Up Good Oral Care Habits While Traveling
Traveling typically includes irregular schedules, meals on the road, and limited bathroom access. Late bedtimes can tempt you to skip brushing and flossing for one night, which can easily turn into two or more.
Because plaque and bacteria can start building up in just a few hours, skipped brushing leads to increased risk of cavities and gum disease. No matter how tired or jet-lagged you are, take the time to brush your teeth before you go to bed. If you do, then you’ll leave your next dental checkup smiling.
Tips for Healthy Teeth When You’re On-the-Go
Even if your days are full of long commute times, after school sports, or simply the business of everyday life, making a few small changes can help support better oral health.
- Chew sugar-free gum after meals to increase saliva production.
- Carry a travel dental kit with disposable flossers and mouthwash to freshen up after meals.
- Reach for crunchy fruits and vegetables or nuts and cheese as snacks instead of sweets and processed foods.
- Practicing good overall oral hygiene helps overcome times when you might miss brushing and flossing or have limited choices for healthy food.
- Avoid or stop harmful habits like chewing ice, biting your nails, or sipping sugary drinks throughout the day.
- Keep up with twice-daily brushing and daily flossing.
- Always have a bottle of water handy. Drinking water helps prevent plaque buildup from dry mouth and it also washes away food residue.
- Don’t skip your dental checkups! Preventive care helps protect your teeth and gums and keeps them healthy. If you have a long trip coming up, contact your dentist to schedule an exam before you leave.
What to Pack in a Travel Dental Kit
You can keep a simple travel dental kit in your desk at work, the glovebox of your car, or in your sports bag, purse, or backpack. Organize the items in compact cases or zip pouches for easy storage and to keep them clean.
Here’s what your kit should include:
- A travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dental flossers and mini mouthwash
- Sugar-free mints or gum
- A small mirror
Having these simple oral care tools ready when you need them can make a big difference. Whether you need to pick some salad out of your teeth or freshen your breath before a meeting, you’ll be prepared.
Looking for a Dentist in Sun Lakes, Arizona?
At Saba and Chiappetti Dental Associates, we’re always eager to welcome new patients to our friendly and comfortable office. We provide affordable, quality dental care that supports good oral health even if you have an extremely active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for a dentist in Sun Lakes, contact us to schedule an appointment today!
Photo by Samsung Memory US on Unsplash, used with permission under the creative commons license for commercial use 9/22/2025.