Don’t forget to look after your teeth when you go camping!
Now here’s something you might not have thought about! One of the basics – care of your teeth and dentures while you are away from home and camping!
Nothing beats spending time in the great outdoors with family and friends. However, since many daily household routines get dropped or changed during a camping trip, one that you should try to maintain is your dental hygiene.
Even when you are away from home, spending time fishing or sitting around a campfire after a hearty meal you still need to take care of your teeth and smile.
Even though you are on a holiday it does not mean gingivitis or any other form of dental disease will be. This is why it is so important to keep your natural teeth or dentures taken care of properly. But how exactly do you do this when you don’t have an actual bathroom to use and store your supplies?
Here are some tips to help you keep your teeth looking their best – even if you aren’t hitting the shower as often as you would at home.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste Storage
If your camping trip involves pitching your tent fairly close to your car, you can store a number of things in your vehicle near your campsite. The scent of mint that normally is contained in toothpaste can be an attractant to wild animals and so is worth keeping in mind depending where you are. The least scented toothpaste is best and there are heaps on the market.
A good idea is to store them in a zipped freezer bag and then store that sealed bag inside a well-sealed plastic container. The double layer of odour blocking should be sufficient if you follow it up by keeping the plastic container inside a vehicle until you need to brush your teeth.
If you wear false teeth, it’s not the most convenient option to leave your dentures in a glass beside the bed. However there are denture storage cases that you can use while travelling.
When and Where To Use Your Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Just as it is when you are at home, the general rule of thumb is to brush your teeth at least twice a day while on a camping trip. If this is not possible, one thorough brushing will be better than nothing. However, because the minty smell of toothpaste will attract unwanted visitors, choose a location away from your campsite and where your sleeping tent is located.
Because your camping spot may not be near fresh water, be sure to have plenty of bottles of water on hand and designate a set number of them for brushing your teeth. Do not resort to using pond water or any other source of water that may happen to be handy if you are not 100% sure that it is fit for drinking. When you brush, use a little of the bottled water to moisten your brush.
After you have finished brushing your teeth, rinse the toothbrush completely. If you have also brought along mouthwash, you can use it following brushing but be sure to spit it out after use in the same place you brushed – away from your campsite. Wrap everything in the freezer bag and put back into the sealed container before putting it back into your vehicle if it is close by.
If You Forgot Your Toothbrush and Toothpaste
In case you had every intention of packing your dental hygiene products and for some reason left them behind, you can still take care of your teeth. During your camping trip make a habit of rinsing your mouth with water frequently. This is also effective for denture wearers as well while traveling. Rinsing can dislodge particles from your teeth, and is better than nothing.
If you really want to use of a toothbrush but don’t have one, you can chew on the end of a twig until you expose fibers. This can be used as a temporary toothbrush as well as a piece of cloth or paper towel wrapped around a finger. You would then gently rub toothpaste on your covered finger across the surface of your teeth. However this doesn’t do the best job of getting in between your teeth, so the best idea is to make sure you pack the right gear in the first place.
Tuck some toothpicks away in your bag somewhere – they don’t weigh anything or take up any room.
Smile and Enjoy Your Holiday
Camping trips are meant to be fun and stress free. But if you are concerned about your dental health, you still will want to do what you can to take care of your teeth. With these tips you will have a better chance at keeping your teeth clean enough until you get back home and can resume your regular dental hygiene routine.