By Delta Dental on Wednesday, June 2, 2021
10 tips to maintain oral hygiene while outdoors
Summer is here! As your family gets the itch to spend more time outside, camping, hiking and other outdoor trips make for a perfect vacation throughout the warmer months.
Outdoor trips promote overall health, both mental and physical, because they offer opportunities to socialize, get active and explore.
While in the great outdoors, it’s important to maintain your oral hygiene with these 10 tips:
- Brush morning and night with bottled water.
- Set reminders to brush and floss.
- Don’t share toothbrushes with fellow travelers.
- Pack a battery-powered electric toothbrush.
- Dry toothbrushes before packing them away.
- Don’t leave floss or toothpaste at the campsite.
- Always have bottled water on hand.
- Don’t spit gum or other harmful foods on the ground. Have a designated place for trash to throw away when you get home from your trip.
- Pack an emergency dental kit.
- Pre-pack mint products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash in individual closable bags because animals are attracted to mint!
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When packing food for your trips, keep in mind helpful foods that will not only give you the fuel you need for your active day, but will also protect and improve your oral hygiene.
- Citrus fruits like apples and oranges, are beneficial in helping to clean your teeth. These fruits increase salivation which helps to neutralize acids that are left behind in your mouth. Also, chewing fibrous fruits stimulates gums, reducing the risk of cavity-causing bacteria.
- Root vegetables like carrots and celery, are good sources of beta carotene which helps create vitamin A and is essential for building strong teeth.
- Leafy greens like, lettuce, kale, spinach, asparagus, cabbage and other greens provide many vitamins and minerals, like phosphor, that are vital in maintaining and improving oral health. The darker the green, the better more nutrients and benefits it has.
- Berries like cranberries, blueberries and raspberries help prevent plaque build-up and tooth decay.
Blog content provided by Delta Dental of Iowa, a proud supporter of the Healthiest State Initiative and Get Your Bib On.