As the summer months start to pass, you might be inclined to go on a camping trip with your family. While this can be an exciting adventure for you, it can also be a bad time for your oral hygiene. If you want to enjoy your trip without sacrificing your smile, follow the tips below. Here is a guide explaining how to keep your teeth clean on a camping trip.
Storing Your Toothbrush and Toothpaste
The minty smell in most toothpastes and mouth washes can attract bears and other animals. To avoid bringing those creatures near your camp site, make sure you store your toothpaste in a well-sealed plastic container. You may even want to put it in a zipped freezer bag first to add an extra layer of odor blocking. Do the same for any food you bring on the trip.
Brushing Your Teeth
Since the mint smell in toothpaste will draw in wild animals, try to brush your teeth as far from your camping site as possible. If you plan on going on a hike at some point in the day, brush your teeth while you’re out. Of course, you should brush twice a day, but you may not get a chance to do that while camping. Shoot for at least one good brushing once a day a great distance from where you sleep.
You will likely be limited on clean water, so try to make it count. Don’t use pond water or any other water in the area unless you boil it first. Only pour a tiny bit onto your toothbrush to help the toothpaste glide on your teeth, then rinse your toothbrush thoroughly once you are finished brushing. You can still use mouthwash if you’d like, as long as you spit it out away from the camp site.
If You Don’t Have A Toothbrush And Toothpaste…
If you don’t have a toothbrush and toothpaste with you on your camping trip, rinse your mouth with water as often as possible. You can make a temporary toothbrush out of the end of a twig by chewing on it until the fibers are exposed. You could also use the end of a cloth or paper towel by wrapping it around your finger. It may not be ideal, but it will be better than nothing.
Use these oral hygiene tips for camping on your next adventure and you’ll come back with a clean smile to show the world.