Hit The Road Jack and Don’t Forget to Pack Your Toothbrush

School’s out for the summer and whether you’re packing for your annual family vacation or to send your little one off to camp, don’t forget to pack the essentials: toothpaste and toothbrush! Just because you’re taking a break from it all, doesn’t mean you can take a break from dental hygiene!

To ensure your teeth stay healthy all summer long, here are a few tips from the dentists at Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry:

• Pack an extra toothbrush and extra tube of your favorite toothpaste. It’s so easy to leave your toothpaste and toothbrush behind in a hotel room or mysteriously loose in the depths of your luggage, so keep an extra set on hand in case you can’t find a store to replace them.
• Limit the time your toothbrush is kept in an airtight travel case.  Toothbrush cases are great to ensure that your toothbrush doesn’t pick up germs or dirt while en route to your destination, but when you’re in one spot, keep your toothbrush out of its case.  Keeping a wet toothbrush in an airtight case will allow bacteria to quickly grow, which will affect your brush and your health. Let your airbrush dry completely before stowing it away. 
• Drink lots of water. When on vacation (especially in the hot summer months!) it’s so easy to grab drinks from a can or bottle.  But those sodas, sports drinks and teas are full of sugar that will simply cling to your teeth.  Drinking plenty of water will ensure that any sugar floating around your teeth will be washed away. 
• Don’t forget to bring your pediatric dentist’s phone number with you. Before you leave, store our number in your cell phone or stash it in your kid’s bag. If something goes wrong miles from home, having the number handy will ensure that you can quickly seek advice to remedy the situation. If it’s something that requires a dentist, your pediatric dentist can recommend a colleague in the area. 

Most importantly, have fun this summer! We can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures!