919-682-5327 With summer almost hear you may be planning a family road trip or a romantic getaway for a few days. Whatever your travel plans may be, you need to make sure that your teeth are up to the trip.
The start of summer is a great time to schedule everyone for a dental cleaning and exam with our dentist, Dr. Alex Fleming. If you schedule a visit at the end of the school year and another when school starts in the fall, you will make sure that each member of the family sees the dentist. And if you want to make sure that your vacation is not spoiled by a toothache, cavity or abscess, the visit will give the dentist a chance to make sure your smile is healthy and address any problems before they become big problems and disrupt your vacation. Make sure that you get a copy of the dentist’s business card and keep it with your insurance card. That way, if you do encounter a dental emergency while you are on vacation, you can call for advice and to have the dentist give you a referral.
If you will be driving keep plenty of water in the cooler to drink on the trip. Bottled water often does not contain fluoride, so you may want to consider getting your water out of the tap. It’s okay to spoil yourself with rich foods and treats, after all, that is part of the fun of a vacation. But make sure that you enjoy them in moderation and keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand, like carrot and celery sticks, apple slices, and sugarless gum. If you need to make a pit stop or to get gas, use that as a chance to brush your teeth. If you are traveling by air, you can take advantage of a long layover to spruce up your smile. Things can get busy during a vacation, even one on which you are supposed to relax! With that in mind, it is important that you stick with the routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
Speaking of toothbrushes, it is important to make sure that when you pack your suitcase, be sure to pack your toothbrush separately from the rest of our luggage, and to keep it clean. A great tip is to bring alligator style clothespins for each member of the family. These can be used to hold up your toothbrushes as they cry after each use, so they don’t have to touch the hotel sink. You should also use toothpaste with that has a flip top to avoid dropping it on the floor or other surfaces. You may also want to consider using a travel toothbrush or disposable toothbrush on your trip.
If you have a vacation planned for this summer, make sure that you get don’t forget about your smile in all of the excitement. To schedule your summer or pre-trip checkup and cleaning, call Fleming Dental for an appointment.