As the weather starts to inch its way colder, you don’t need us to tell you that fall and winter are on their way. Fall and winter mark some of the busiest seasons with all of the shopping, parties and vacations jam-packed on the calendar. Unfortunately, these next couple months get so busy that people feel the need to take shortcuts when it comes to oral health maintenance. If you are traveling during the holiday season but want to make sure your oral hygiene stays at its best, try following these guidelines:

• Travel-sized oral kits are your best friend
  Keeping a travel toothbrush, floss and toothpaste on hand in addition to trial sizes of your favorite toiletries reduces your packing time, and not just during the holidays. They can be found at almost any drug store and are super convenient. The size and the convenience allows you to make sure to keep up with your oral hygiene even though you are on vacation. This way, you do not come back from vacation with some tooth aching surprises.
• You can never have enough probiotics
  There are a never ending supply of germs and diseases at airports, train stations, buses, or any other place you might encounter during your vacations. Many studies have revealed that probiotics are good all around- from your gut to your teeth to your immune system.
• Replace your travel toothbrushes often
  Most dentists typically recommend that you replace your old toothbrush with a new one every two to three months. However, this fact often changes if you are traveling a lot. This is because when you travel, your travel toothbrush is indefinitely exposed to much more bacteria than the one that sits on your bathroom counter at home. Toss your travel brush in the trash when you return home and swap it for a fresh brush, no matter if it’s hit the two to three month mark or not.
• Sugar-free gum can actually be your friend
  Bringing sugar-free gum with you on your travels can have many surprising benefits. Sugar free gum tastes good, can keep your breathe smelling nice and fresh, and can also help remove food that is stuck in your teeth.

Before the holiday season comes into effect, don’t forget to visit our dentists. They can help you with whatever oral hygiene questions you may have. At your checkup, our dentists can get your teeth prepared for the holiday season. Preparation can be the key to healthy oral hygiene and function.

If you are looking for a trusted dentist in the Livermore area, our dentists at Foothill Dental Care in Livermore are accepting new patients. Call us at (925) 961-5484 today or schedule your first visit now.