Brushing Teeth While Camping: Essential Tips to Keep Your Smile Healthy
Camping is an activity enjoyed by many; it is an excellent way to reconnect with the outdoors and experience nature firsthand. However, just as with any other vacation, ensuring good hygiene should be a priority also when camping. That includes brushing your teeth. While camping, you may not have access to the same amenities of a five-star hotel, but there are ways to make sure your mouth is clean and your teeth remain healthy.
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As an experienced camper and a father of three, I know how difficult it is to ensure good dental hygiene when camping. In this article, I’m going to share some essential tips on how to brush your teeth while camping, along with a few of my personal experiences to demonstrate what to do and how to do it in the most effective and enjoyable way.
Using a Toothpaste and Toothbrush while Camping
Although camping usually doesn’t require brushes, toothpaste and other typical dental products, bringing some of your favorite dental hygiene products while camping is an important first step in keeping your mouth healthy. Try to bring a standard, soft-bristled toothbrush, as well as a travel-sized toothpaste tube that has the ADA seal of approval. If you are a fan of electric toothbrushes, bring that along too (more on this later).
Setting Up an Outdoor Brushing Station
Part of good oral hygiene is having an environment that encourages brushing. When camping, this may involve setting up an area that’s dedicated to brushing. Make sure the area is far away from the campfire and any other sources of heat. It’s also important to make sure the space is well ventilated and out of the sun.
Choose an area that’s close enough to the water source so that you can easily rinse your mouth and brush. If you are water conscious, you can bring along a few bottles of water to use for brushing. If you plan to set this up near your campsite, it’s important to remember to take everything with you once you are done.
When to Brush
Typically, it’s recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, usually after breakfast and before bed. So, when camping, make sure to brush your teeth at least once per day. This is important to combat any bacteria that can build up in your mouth throughout the day.
If you are eating particularly sugary or starchy foods, it’s a good idea to brush after you eat. This will help to prevent buildup and tooth decay. Furthermore, if you are eating around campfire, even more reason to take some extra time to brush your teeth afterwards.
Electric Toothbrush or Manual Toothbrush?
When faced with the choice between a manual or electric toothbrush, which one should you choose for camping? Ultimately, the choice is yours. A manual toothbrush is cheaper and easier to pack given its size, but electric toothbrushes are generally more effective in plaque removal.
Electric toothbrushes usually come with a battery powered charging stand, and so you will have to factor this into your camping equipment. However, you can find smaller, portable battery powered electric toothbrushes that do the job just as well. In the end, it really comes down to preference – but either will help keep your smile healthy while camping.
Using Pre-brushing Mouthrinse
Using a pre-brushing mouthrinse before brushing your teeth is a great way to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. This can not only help to make brushing your teeth easier and more effective, but can also help to reduce the amount of oral bacteria. Pre-brushing mouthrinse can be purchased online or at your local pharmacy.
Dental Flossing
Dental flossing is your ally in the fight against tooth decay and gum disease, but it can sometimes be difficult to do when camping. The good news is, there are portable options that make it much easier, such as dental floss picks. These are easy to pack and come in handy for getting into hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. If you don’t have dental floss picks, don’t worry – a regular string of dental floss is just as effective.
Good Oral Hygiene Leads to Healthier Teeth
Good oral hygiene is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, especially when camping. Even when far away from the comforts of home, it’s important to make sure you take the time to properly brush your teeth. So next time you go camping, don’t forget to bring along your toothbrush, toothpaste, and other dental products; they will wield tremendous power in keeping your smile healthy.
Here’s a great video from Camp Kulin on how to brush teeth while camping effectively: