Keep all mouths in your family healthy while camping, RVing, or away from home this summer with our expert tips on outdoor oral care:
- Brushing with bottled water is a healthy way to keep plaque at bay while out in the wild. If clean running water isn’t available, you can still brush morning and night with bottled water.
- Are you bringing kids along? Make sure to remind them when it’s time to brush and floss. Going on vacation or a camping trip is so much fun, but it can disrupt the normal home routine. A few reminders can go a long way!
- Make sure everyone has their own toothbrush. Sharing toothbrushes is never a good idea. Cavity-causing bacteria can be passed from a mouth with cavities to a healthy mouth whether you’re camping or not.
- Battery powered electric toothbrushes allow you to maintain good brushing habits no matter where you are. Best part is they don’t need any charging!
- A wet toothbrush makes an ideal home for bacteria growth. Make sure your toothbrushes are dry before packing them. Then, make sure you have a cool, dry place to keep them until it’s time to brush again!
- Be respectful to nature. Don’t leave used floss or globs of toothpaste at the campground, as they can make the animals sick if they eat that. Brush at the far edge of camp and spray the spit instead to spread it out. This will help minimize the environmental impact.
- Snacking on trail mix along the way? Raisins can be quite sticky, and the sugar in trail mix can also damage your teeth. Always have a bottle of water at your side, not only to stay hydrated, but to also rinse the mouth after eating and between brushes. This will help keep the mouth lubricated and hydrated, flushing any trapped food particles.
- Be sure to bring sugar-free gum! This can help freshen breath and reduce bacteria in the mouth between brushing. DON’T spit the gum on the ground, of course, as this is also harmful to nature.
- Emergencies can happen anywhere, and so can dental emergencies. Pack up an emergency dental kit with cotton, tweezers, toothache drops or pain reliever, and sterile gauze pads.
- Did you know? Bears are attracted to mint, so pre-pack everyone’s toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash in individual closing bags.
Got more tips for maintaining a healthy dental routine while camping? Share them with us below or on our social channels!