Hot Summer Road Trip Tips from Your Kansas City Family Dentist

Many public schools around the greater Kansas City area will be letting out for summer break soon if they haven’t already. The kids have been cooped up in school, and they’re eager to get out and do something new. That’s why many Kansas City families are planning summer road trips to destinations such as Omaha, St. Louis, the Ozarks, or Branson, Missoui.

Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a longer family vacation, it’s smart to think beyond the luggage and tourist stops along the way. Any road trip requires planning and a few preparations ahead of time. You’ll need to find a pet-sitter, stop the mail, or maybe take the car for a tune-up. Have you ever thought about how to protect your family’s dental health while you’re on the road? Luckily, your Kansas City family dentist has assembled an indispensable guide to keeping those smiles looking and feeling their best during this summer’s big trip! Read on!

Planning a Road Trip Over Your Summer Break?

There are things to pack, things to do, and things to remember to get the most out of your trip. That’s true of every aspect of a summer vacation, and it’s also true of your family’s oral health!

Start with the Basics. Make sure you pack everything that you’re going to need on the road, such as travel toothbrushes, toothpaste, flossers, travel-sized mouthwash, sugar-free gum, and so on.

Don’t Forget the Protective Items. Is someone in your family using Invisalign clear aligners? Those are so convenient they can be easy to forget, but you’ll want to be sure to pack them along. The same goes for mouth guards, lip balm with SPF to protect your lips, plus anything else that your family specifically needs such as allergy medications, nightguards, and so on.

Pack Healthy Snacks in the Cooler! Part of the fun of a road trip is eating differently than you would at home, it’s true, but consuming too many roadside snacks from convenience stores is not good for you or your teeth. Pack along some dentist-approved snacks such as cheese sticks, apples, nuts, carrots, and whole-grain crackers. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water!

Avoid Common Travel Troublemakers. Speaking of roadside snacks, you might be tempted to eat or drink plenty of things that are not very good for your teeth. Minimize sticky candies and sugary drinks, and no matter how frustrating the packaging is, don’t try opening it with your teeth!

Stick to Your Oral Care Routine. With travel-sized oral care products, you whole family can follow more or less the same oral care routine that you do at home. Brush in the morning, at night, and when you can along the road. Floss before going to bed, and rinse with water after snacks. For best results, keep as close to your ordinary routine as you can.

Schedule a Checkup Before You Go. Your Kansas City family dentist always likes to see you, and we’ll miss you while you’re away. More importantly, summer travel is a lot more fun when you’re not dealing with a surprise toothache that crops up two days into the trip. That’s where getting your biannual cleaning and checkup before vacation season starts can be a lifesaver!

What to do if you have a dental emergency while on vacation!

Even if you do everything on this list, accidents still happen. You may find yourself dealing with a cracked tooth, a toothache, or another dental emergency while you’re on the road, far from your family dentist. Fortunately, we’ve written some informative articles about what to do next if you bite your lip or tongue badly or if you’re dealing with a chipped or cracked tooth or other dental emergency.

When you get back, you can always come see us at Blacker Family Dental for all your dental needs, from family and cosmetic dentistry to dental implants and Invisalign treatments for patients of all ages. Just give us a call at (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment.