At home, you may have established good habits, but those habits can easily be thrown off by the chaos of travel. It doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you’re a salesman driving across the country, a father of four vacationing in Hawaii, or a fugitive escaping justice, there are no excuses for bad oral hygiene.

Here are some tips that can keep the chaos from taking control of your teeth:

Get Rid of Bad Breath

Traveling involves a lot of sitting in one place, often in a stressful environment without easy access to a shower. Even using the restroom can become a chore. To handle the bad breath before meeting family or an important client, use a small travel-size Listerine bottle to wash out your mouth. If mouthwash isn’t around, an apple from the closest food vendor can be your second-best defense.

Flossing and Brushing

Ideally, you should have everything you need for oral health in several locations.

Don’t leave home without:

• A Toothbrush
• Dental floss (the kind you will actually use)
• Mouthwash
• Toothpaste

You should have access to at least three kits with the above supplies. Keep one in your home, one in your car, and one in your briefcase/purse for when you’re stuck at the office or airport.

What to do During Emergencies

Just in case, you should know the following wherever you go:

• If outside the U.S., you should know a network of medical providers, like www.iamat.org, which lists medical providers. You must also know where your consulate or embassy is, along with their contact information.
• Hotel concierge services and how to use them.
• A local who can take you where you need to go.
• The emergency number (911) or other country-specific number

You don’t have to be caught off-guard by the chaos of travel. If your travels take you to Boise, Idaho, stop by Modern Dental for a thorough checkup.