How To Keep Your Teeth Clean While Camping And Hiking
If you're planning a camping trip, your teeth and oral health may be the last thing you're thinking about. However, it's still important to take steps to maintain your oral health while you're camping and hiking. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to maintain normal oral hygiene while camping, since your access to running water may be limited. This guide will explain a few ways you can keep your teeth and gums in a healthy condition while you're in the wilderness.
Avoid Sugary Trail Mix and Energy Bars
Trail mix and energy bars are one of the easiest ways to maintain your energy levels and curb hunger while you're hiking and camping. However, these bars provide a big portion of their energy through sugar. Sugar is bad enough for your oral health as it is, but if you're unable to brush and floss while you're in the wilderness, that sugar can really hurt you.
This doesn't mean that you have to skip the snacks entirely. Stick to the core ingredients that energy bars and trail mix use to provide energy, like nuts, soy, and fruit without any added sugar. Avoid ingredients that are inherently high in sugar, like raisins and prunes, or chocolate.
Dry and Water Tooth Brushing
Brushing your teeth with toothpaste is ideal when you're still in civilization, but it's not the only way you can brush your teeth. Simply brushing your teeth with water can still help to remove plaque and bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease.
In addition, dry brushing is actually really good for your oral health. Studies have found that dry brushing removes more plaque than brushing with toothpaste. So if you don't have access to running water, don't be afraid to brush your teeth with a dry brush and then take a swig of water to remove all the loosened debris.
Toothpaste Tablets
If you still want the freshness that toothpaste provides, consider toothpaste tablets. These tablets are designed for people on the go who don't have access to normal toothpaste. You simply pop one in your mouth, chew it up, and it will begin to foam like toothpaste. You can then brush normally, and rinse your mouth out with bottled water or whatever else you have access to.
Hiking and camping can be great for your body and mind, but don't let your teeth suffer the consequences of poor hygiene. Try these tips to keep your mouth healthy and fresh while you're out in the wilderness.
For more information and tips, talk with your dentist or go to this site.