Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 11
Here are my top ten tips to avoid (or 昀椀x) the most common holiday mouth hazards:
1. All dried up: Decreased humidity on your
flight can cause dehydration resulting in a
dry mouth, creating a breeding ground for
bacteria and tooth decay. Drink lots of water
on the flight and take an empty water bottle
in your check-in for fast and easy refills at
your destination.
2. Plane truth: Dry, stale air circulating on longhaul flights coupled with lots of food and
little opportunity for bathroom mouth
fresheners can add up to bad breath. Pack a
toothbrush and mini toothpaste in your hand
luggage and brush after meals.
3. Floss forge fulness: Brushing only removes
debris from 60% of surfaces – you need to
clean between teeth for the other 40%.
Pack your favourite flossing device to keep
decay-causing bacteria away.
4. Indulgence index: Extra hard, crunchy or
super-sweet foods can cause tooth pain or
cracks. Go slowly and carefully, limit sugary
food and drink, and sip water between
alcoholic drinks to rinse away residual sugar.
5. Kids’ holiday mouth: Holidays disrupt
rou琀椀nes and kids o昀琀en skip brushing. Leave
reminders in the bathroom and enforce a ‘no
play un琀椀l teeth are clean’ rule.
6. Go big, go large: Holidays o昀琀en mean trying
riskier sports. Pack and wear a custom-made
mouthguard from your den琀椀st for protec琀椀on.
7. Scuba mouth: Scuba diving can cause
tooth squeeze (barodontalgia) due to
pressure changes. See your den琀椀st if you
experience pain. Avoid bi琀椀ng hard on snorkel
mouthpieces to prevent jaw pain.
8. Mouths and meds: Mul琀椀ple medica琀椀ons,
alcohol and co昀昀ee can lead to dry mouth.
Stay hydrated and ask your den琀椀st about dry
mouth products. Avoid sugary sweets unless
they are sugar-free.
9. Bumpy sleep: Jet lag can lead to teeth
grinding. Consider melatonin to reset sleep
cycles and take a nightguard with you if you
use one.
10. Touchy teeth: Sensi琀椀vity can result from
acidic food and drinks or grinding. Switch to
sensi琀椀ve toothpaste and see your den琀椀st to
rule out decay.
Holidays can be enough of a stretch on the family budget without surprise dental issues. See
your den琀椀st before going away to ensure your teeth are in good shape, cracks or chips are 昀椀xed,
and any holes are 昀椀lled. That way, you can relax knowing your mouth is holiday-ready!
