(NAPSA)—Smile. Its vacation time—and there are so manypathsto fun and adventureclose to home. ‘Try winding your way through the Wisconsin Dells water parks orsailing Lake Superior. If you're thirsting for Wisconsin his- tory—and great local brews—there’s Milwaukee's historic Third Ward. Relax in gracious Lake Geneva.Orgearup for great hiking and biking in scenic Door County. So pack your bags, and don't forget You don’t have to let dental d culties take a bite outof your vacation enjoyment. “Drinking water, especially fluori- your toothbrush—healthy teeth and gumsdon’ttake a vacation. To help, here are some toothsome tips to protect your oral health en route. dated water, helps reduce cavities and protects precious tooth enamel by wash- Nowisa goodtimeto think ofyour last ident and Chief Science Officerfor Delta Before you go regular dental checkup.Ifyou can'trecall, you mightwantto check in with your den- tist and lookfor any imminentproblems. Ifyoutake care ofthem before you go,it'll be easier to keep the fun flowing. Havetoothbrush, will travel Whether you're road-tripping or hopping ona flight, your oral hygiene routine shouldn't take a backseat to fun. Steerclear of dental troubles with regu- lar brushingandflossin; Visit the travel toiletries section of a drugordiscountstore. You'll find plenty ofessentials to keep yourteeth and gums clean andhealthy on the go—including travel-sized toothbrushes, toothpaste andfloss. ing away harmful acids and bacteria” explained Dr.Fred Eichmiller, Vice Pres- Dentalof Wisconsin.“Andif you add ice to cool down your drink, don’t chew it. Ice cubes can crack openfillings—which can crashthebest vacation plans.” Swish,rinse, repeat If you can’t brush after indulging in sticky, sweet treats (such as s'mores), just swish. Keep water nearby while you'retraveling. Dr. Eichmiller encour- ages patients to makea habit of swishing after mealsin any case to clearlingering food particles from your mouth. Bracefor emergencies If you or anyone you're traveling with has orthodontia,it’s smart to pack some dental wax. If a bracket or wire popsloose, the wax will protect your Especially handy for long flights or gumsand mouthfrom injury until you camping: disposable minitoothbrush can see your orthodontist. packs. They don’t require wateror toothDo you develop canker sores from paste andfiteasily into tiny purses, too. spicy orsalty indulgences? Then rememGoahead, vent (your toothbrush) ber to pack a small tube of benzocaine Moist environments breed bacteria, so keep your toothbrushasdry aspossible while on the go. A vented toothbrush carrierwill do thetrick. When you reach your destination, take your toothbrush outof its case so it can dry thoroughly. Keep it away from the sink and atleast several feet from thetoilet. (Flushing makes bacte- ria airborne.) Wateryou waiting for? Everyone should have a personal waterbottle that’s easy to hold andcarry. You'll be less tempted by sodasand sug- ary drinks that aren't very sweet to your teeth, and more likely to drink water. (over-the-counter topical anesthetic). Applying ice or rinsing with warm salt watercan also help. Gum’sthe word Sugar-free gum can bea lifesaver after meals onthe go, especially if you can't brush away food particles. Gum chewing greatly increases the produc- tion of saliva, which can help reduce tooth decay. It can also satisfy your sweettooth, so you can say noto snacks that are high in sugar. The best vacation photos are the onesin which everybody's smiling. So keep these tooth-saving tips in mind wherever you wander—andenjoy.
