As you’re jetting off on holiday, it can be manic to make sure you’ve packed all the essentials. Going even further afield on a long haul flight leaves you with little room for error.
One thing that most people don’t think to toss in their hand luggage is a toothbrush and toothpaste, stashing it away in any main suitcase along with your clothes and other belongings to collect at the destination airport.
But, a dental expert has explained why you might want to reconsider that decision for any upcoming flight where you’ll be travelling for more than a few hours.
Dr Nyree Whitley, chief clinical officer at mydentist, said: “When travelling long haul, it’s natural to want to take some shortcuts or look into hacks on how to make the journey more comfortable. However, if you’re looking to save space in your hand luggage, leaving your toothbrush and toothpaste at home might not be the best idea if you want a comfortable journey.
“When we fly, we’re typically in a celebratory holiday mood and so indulge in snacks and drinks to reflect this, such as prosecco, crisps, and sweet treats. While this isn’t discouraged, I would advise that you pack a few dental essentials – including a travel toothbrush and toothpaste. If you have a little more room to spare in your hand luggage, it’s worth also packing some floss and a mini mouthwash so that you can freshen up throughout your flight.”
The Foreign Office confirmed that toothpaste is permitted on planes – providing your tube falls within the 100ml rule for liquids. According to the TSA guidelines, you can bring an electric toothbrush on to a plane in both your carry-on bags and checked bags, however, if your toothbrush contains a lithium-ion battery, it is recommended to take it in carry-on. Manual brushes should also sail through security checks.
Dr Nyree added: “To maintain your oral health when travelling, I’d recommend you try and stick to your usual routine, brushing your teeth twice daily. When you don’t brush your teeth over a couple of days, the plaque on your teeth can start to harden up and turn into tartar, which can, in turn attract more plaque leading to gingivitis, gum disease and decay.
“My top tip for keeping your oral health in top shape while flying long haul is to wait for an hour after snacking or drinking alcohol or fizzy, sugary drinks to brush your teeth, trying to stick to our usual at-home routine as closely as possible to make sure you have a healthy, happy holiday.”