Essential Oral Hygiene Products for Travelers: A Must-Have Buying Guide

Are you driven by wanderlust? Or is travel a way for you to break free of the daily grind? Whatever the cause may be, travel can rejuvenate the soul and educate us through the experience of those whom we might see as the other. It is also fun. 

But when we travel, we leave behind a footprint. And while the personal carbon footprint is a point many in the climate movement do not think highly of, everyone agrees individual action can help reduce the strain on the planet and act as an incentive for others to start living sustainability too. And soon we are a tidal wave of sustainable efforts forcing corporations to change their ways or go out of business. 

The internet is full of sustainable travel tips so we decided to go more nuance. Let’s focus on your teeth and mouth when traveling, for oral hygiene is extremely important for good health. And while brushing and flossing is hopefully part of your travel routine the same as it is your everyday routine - there’s more to sustainable oral hygiene than using a bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste tabs. Though, those are excellent replacements for plastic toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes. Provided the bamboo toothbrush is composted. 

Here’s what else you can do in terms of sustainable oral care when traveling-

1. Change your mouthwash

The TrashySisters recently spoke about how not only does your mouthwash come in plastic bottles that introduce microplastics into the environment, the waste product is toxic to marine life. So isn’t it time we look for more sustainable brands like Liveabit_in or Treewear? Treewear uses Ayurvedic techniques to not only act as mouthwash and help with oil pulling but improves immunity too. Cool ain’t it? 

A travel tip, we sourced from the experts at Comprehensive Oral Care, is to carry small bottles of mouthwash in your purse that you can quickly give a swirl mid-flight. 

2. Get a wooden toothbrush holder with holes in it

Now we know that drying your bamboo toothbrush is important but so is ventilating it. Experts say that if you don’t ventilate your toothbrush and keep it out when possible, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Major ick.

And you need to ensure that your eco-friendly wooden toothbrush holder is dry on the inside too. 

3. Carry a reusable water bottle

Sonika Bashin has spoken extensively about the ecological and financial benefits of carrying a reusable water bottle when traveling. Ayurveda has shared the benefits of using copper water bottles and dentists often say that we shouldn’t brush with water we wouldn’t drink- so carrying water from places you trust is a must. 

4. Green tea your way to hygiene

While experts recommend gum, most gum contains plastic and if you can’t find plastic-free and sugar-free healthy gum, you could try asking your doctors if you can drink green tea in a pitch till you can find somewhere to brush. 

Dental hygiene is important and like most hygiene needs a doctor’s consult before we go traveling. While our tips are based on research and sustainable living habits, your doctors know what’s best for you and you should try to find sustainable alternatives they approve of, especially when traveling since you might be unable to visit them when needed. Have a safe train trip or green flight and see you in the next blog.

AUTHOR : ANJALI ROONGTA

An author with over a decade of experience, Anjali Roongta has published over eight books with NotionPress and Muses_Saga, her own eco-friendly publishing house. She was an Author of the Year Awardee for Ne8x in 2019. You can find her blog at roongtaanjali.wordpress.com where she shares writing tips and helps promote realistic sustainable lifestyles. As a writer and freelancer, she is passionate about writing, sustainable living, reading, mental health advocacy and publishing.