Summer is officially in full swing! We know how busy your summer schedule gets and since it’s time to enjoy the beautiful weather, it’s important to enjoy it with a shining smile. Whether you’re going on a trip soon or your days are completely full, our Bethesda family dentist doesn’t want your dental health to be pushed to the wayside and forgotten. Let’s take a look at some easy and simple ways to take care of your teeth and gums while you’re on the go so your smile can stay healthy all summer long!

 

Carry a Travel Toothbrush

Let’s face it – sometimes, we forget to brush our teeth in the morning, especially if we’re in a rush. If your schedule is tight, you may not realize that you’ve forgotten to brush your teeth until you’re already out the door and it’s too late to turn around and go back. Without brushing your teeth in the morning, your smile is vulnerable throughout the day and you won’t be able to properly clean it until you get home.

 

By carrying a travel toothbrush – something small, compact, and easy to store – you’re able to keep your smile fresh even when you’re on the move. The importance of brushing your teeth in the morning is to remove the excess residue that built up overnight, as well as protecting your teeth throughout the day with the help of your toothpaste’s protective ingredients. Travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpastes are found in most convenient and drug stores – you can even get them at our office after your routine appointments!

 

Don’t Forget to Floss!

Every morning and night during your brushing routine, it’s important to remember flossing, too! This step cleans the hard-to-reach places between your teeth that your toothbrush bristles simply can’t clean to the best of their ability. Without flossing, that stubborn bacteria and lingering food particles are sticking around and slowly but surely causing havoc to your smile.

 

If you find yourself forgetting to floss every morning and night, try carrying it around with your travel kit! Leave floss in your car, purse, bag, desk, and anywhere that you check on a regular basis to remind you of this important step. This doesn’t require a sink and some water and can be done anywhere. While it’s certainly not a glamorous habit, your smile will thank you in the long run – and so will we!

 

Enjoy Sugar-Free Gum

A beneficial habit you begin is chewing sugar-free gum. If you find yourself forgetting to brush your teeth in the morning before you’ve left the house, enjoying sugar-free gum help to stimulate saliva flow in your mouth. Your saliva works to clear away plaque and food particles from your teeth and gums to protect them from bacterial build-up and lowers your risk of cavities. Don’t hesitate to ask our team about which sugar-free gums are best to use (hint: they usually have an ADA seal on them!).

 

There are countless other ways to keep your smile healthy while you’re on the move this summer, so be sure to ask our Bethesda family dentist during your next routine cleaning! Call our office at (301) 652-3997 to get ahead of schedule so the rest of your summer vacation will be a breeze.