How to Care for Your Teeth and Gums During a Summer Camping Trip

It is so easy for dental hygiene habits to go out the window when we’re on vacation – especially if we’re camping.

Spending time outdoors is a wonderful experience; we should do it as often as possible. However, it can be challenging to maintain a good oral hygiene routine when we’re away from modern conveniences like electricity and running water.

Thankfully, there are easy steps you can take to protect your teeth and gums, even when you’re miles away from a modern-day bathroom.

Are You Concerned About “Leaving No Trace” During Your Summer Vacation?

Nature is stunning, and we want to do our part to keep the great outdoors as pristine as possible.

Unfortunately, humans can take a toll on the environment, adversely impacting nature by littering, polluting water sources, and damaging trails.

Most people don’t set out to damage their natural surroundings, which is why they adhere to the idea of leaving no trace. Not leaving a trace involves behaviors we can implement while camping that can help preserve the natural beauty around us for years to come.

How to Leave No Trace While Caring for Your Oral Health

Here are a few steps you can take to protect nature while protecting your teeth and gums.

Plan ahead: Planning ahead is the best thing you can do to ensure a healthy, fun trip that won’t take a toll on the environment. Give yourself enough time before your trip to find (and purchase, if necessary) personal care and hygiene products that won’t negatively impact your health or that of Mother Nature.
Avoid using toothpaste: Did you know that toothpaste is not the most important part of brushing your teeth? Toothpaste is helpful, but it’s the manual action during brushing that does the most good. That is what removes the plaque around your teeth and gum line. Therefore, you don’t need toothpaste, the scent of which can attract animals (apparently, bears seem to love mint!) and make them sick if it’s ingested.
Use natural alternatives: If you don’t like brushing your teeth with water alone, there are healthy, natural alternatives. You can use baking soda mixed with coconut oil. Natural toothpaste can also be found at health food stores and online. (Note: Some natural products – including some toothpaste and baking soda – are abrasive. Brush gently and take a break from using them every few days to prevent gum soreness and tooth sensitivity.)
Avoid leaving floss on the ground: If an animal eats the floss, it can make them sick. Properly dispose of floss like any other trash item at your campsite.

How Can You Protect Your Teeth? Follow These Healthy Camping Tips

Now that you know what to do to protect the environment while camping, the next step is to figure out how to protect your teeth and gums.

Make Sure to Pack Your Toothbrush and Floss

To care for your teeth and gums, you must have oral hygiene tools on hand. Pack a travel toothbrush (you might even consider investing in a travel electric toothbrush!) and your floss. Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day.

Keep Your Oral Hygiene Tools Clean

Before packing your toothbrush, ensure that it is thoroughly dry, as a wet toothbrush is a breeding ground for bacteria. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush and allow it to dry before packing it away.

Only Brush with Clean Water

It’s easy to take for granted being able to turn on a faucet to wet your toothbrush and brush your teeth. But you don’t have that luxury when camping, so finding an alternative is necessary to keep your teeth clean.

Avoid using water from a stream. Even the cleanest-looking stream can contain pollutants and microorganisms that can make you sick and cause oral health issues.

Use bottled water if at all possible. If that’s not an option, make sure to disinfect any water gathered from streams and rivers.

Watch What You Eat

Trail mix is a popular snack for campers because it’s easy to pack and is long-lasting. Unfortunately, trail mix often contains dried fruit, which can stick to the biting surfaces of your teeth and attack the enamel.

Limit your intake of sugary foods and consider bringing trail mix that doesn’t contain fruit or candy. If your favorite trail mix contains fruit and you’re not willing to go without it, make sure to rinse your mouth after consuming it – or better yet, brush your teeth if possible.

If You Can’t Brush, Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Camping and hiking aren’t always conducive to brushing after you eat. In these cases, chewing gum can help clean food particles out of the grooves of your teeth. Make sure the gum is sugar-free to avoid dental decay. (Note: If you suffer from TMJ disorder, avoid chewing gum as it can exacerbate your symptoms and lead to a headache or migraine.)

Pack an Emergency Dental Kit

Emergencies can happen at any time in the great outdoors. For this reason, most campers know to pack an emergency kit with band-aids, gauze, and other first aid supplies.

It’s also a good idea to pack an emergency dental kit. Your kit should contain:

Cotton
Pain reliever
Gum numbing gel
Sterile gauze pads
Tweezers
Dental wax
Medical-grade gloves
A dental mirror

If you or someone in your family are in braces, it would also be a good idea to bring extra elastic bands. You might also talk to your West Covina dentist or orthodontist about their recommendations for a dental emergency kit. Some providers even sell their own kits.

Should You Get a Professional Cleaning Before Your Summer Vacation?

Visiting your West Covina dentist before going on vacation is a smart decision. There’s nothing worse than ending up with a dental emergency when you’re away from home and your dental team. Thankfully, you can prevent several dental emergencies by getting a check-up before leaving town.

During your visit, your West Covina dentist will evaluate the health of your teeth and gums. They’ll look for any issues that can result in a dental emergency, such as cracked teeth or dental decay. If they find a problem, they can treat it so your teeth are in good condition before your trip – something that can give you peace of mind to enjoy your camping excursion.

Has it been a while since your last professional dental cleaning? Contact us to schedule an appointment today!