Vacation Ready!
 

Vacation is always sooooo exciting, but the to-do list before leaving can be quite overwhelming. The last thing you want to worry about while on vacation is your kid's teeth. With that said, you must be prepared for any sticky situation that may arise. Below are some helpful hints to get you out the door and on your way, with a HEALTHY and HAPPY smile! 

*Have your routine dental check-up scheduled or done before you leave on vacation! This helps give you peace of mind knowing that your kid's teeth are cavity free and there are no foreseen problems ahead.

 *Have your dentists phone number/contact information handy (business cards) in case of emergency! Many pediatric dentists have an emergency line and can be reached 24/7.

*Forgot to pack a toothbrush?! It's ok until you can find one, put a small amount of toothpaste on a washcloth and brush as normal!

*Keep those germ bugs away! Pack and store your toothbrush in a Ziploc or be sure it has a cover for the bristles, as germs and whatever else may make their way into your mouth. Yuck!

*According to the ADA, chewing sugarless gum can help relieve ear pressure during a flight  and help keep cavities at bay on vacay. Research shows that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent cavities. That's because it gets saliva flowing, which helps wash away cavity-causing bacteria.

*When in doubt, brush with bottled water! It may seem as though you don’t swallow enough water for it to matter, but even the smallest amount of contaminated water can leave you feeling ill!

Last, get back on track to good brushing and flossing habits as soon as vacay is over!