Vacation is a time to let loose and have fun, but it's not a time to neglect your mouth. Regular teeth cleanings are a staple of good oral health, so it's important to stay on the cleaning schedule prescribed by your dental provider. As a result, if the time for your next appointment coincides with your vacation plans, you don't want to prioritize your travel plans over your health. Instead, it's best to have your teeth cleaned before you head out; learn just why it's so important to do so. 

1. A Brighter Smile

Scheduling your teeth cleaning appointment before your vacation means that you will have a brighter smile on vacation. A tooth cleaning appointment is not the same as a whitening session. However, when the hygienist removes the plaque and other buildup that has collected on your teeth since your last appointment during the cleaning, the outcome is whiter and brighter teeth. 

As a result, you'll head out on your vacation with a more confident smile. Given all the pictures you'll likely take, having a brighter smile means you'll look even better than you already do. 

2. Avoid Scheduling Delays

If your vacation also correlates with a busy travel season, such as the holidays, there is no guarantee that you will be able to get an appointment as soon as you return. For instance, your provider might be closed for a few days or already have patients booked. 

Having your teeth cleaned at regular intervals is critical to the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. So each day that passes from the time when you should have had your teeth cleaned puts your health at unnecessary risk. Having your teeth cleaned a couple of days or even weeks early is much better than missing the recommended cleaning time.

3. Identify Health Issues

Scheduling your appointment before your vacation also lessens the likelihood of you dealing with tooth pain from a cavity during vacation. The thing about cavities is that there is no timeframe they follow when it comes to pain. A cavity can start to hurt at any time.

Teeth cleanings are considered a preventive measure. As a result, your provider will likely check for the presence of cavities during the appointment. If a cavity is discovered, your provider can promptly treat it, but the alternative is to find yourself far away from home with unexpected tooth pain that threatens to ruin your vacation.

Make sure you keep your dental health the top priority and schedule your teeth cleaning appointment before your vacation.