At Gorelik Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, we know summer is a time when many people set out to travel. Whether you are exploring our own beautiful Smoky Mountains or snorkeling the Coral Gardens in Maui looking for the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, preparation is key to keeping your smile confident. To protect your oral health, Dr. Julia Gorelik and our team have some tips to help you pack for your trip, to help you protect the healthy smile you have worked so hard to achieve.

What to pack: 

— Disposable toothbrush to keep your pearly whites clean.

— Travel-size toothpaste to remove bacteria and create good breath.

— Compact dental floss to clean in between teeth and along the gumline.

— Mini-mouthwash to kill germs and lower acid levels in the mouth.

— Sugar-free gum after meals when brushing isn’t an option (it stimulates saliva flow which cleans the teeth and attracts food particles and bacteria).

— When traveling to places where the water isn’t safe to drink, use bottled water to hydrate and brush teeth with. Hydration is key to avoiding dry mouth.

— Don’t forget night guards or retainers.

— Dental emergency filling/crown repair kit.

— If you are wearing braces, add tooth picks or floss-picks, orthodontic wax, an extra clear plastic aligner tray, and check ahead to have the name, phone number and address of an orthodontic office where you will be staying.

— If you are going to visit a developing country or remote areas without access to good dental care, it is a good idea to come in and have a dental exam and cleaning done before you leave. This is particularly important if you have gum disease.

So, please feel free to give our dedicated team a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a visit before you head out. Whether you are connecting with loved ones at your annual out-of-state family reunion, or hiking Alpine meadows in the Dolomite Mountains, from all of us at Gorelik Dentistry, we wish you safe and healthy travels!