There are three things that you should be doing for your oral health: brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing your teeth once a day, and visiting your dentist twice a year for a cleaning. The tricky thing about oral health though, is that brushing and flossing your teeth isn't exactly easy if you work odd hours or long hours or if you travel a lot. To make sure that your dental care doesn't decline because you are on the go, there are a few things you can do when you just don't have the time to brush. 

Drink More Water

You may want to drink more coffee, but your body will want you to drink more water. Water is great for all parts of your body, including your smile. Every time you drink water, you are doing a number of things, including the following: 

• Encouraging saliva production, which is your mouth's natural way of fighting cavities
• Rinsing your teeth with every sip
• Cutting down on acidic drinks like coffee, tea, and soda

Chew More Sugar-Free Gum

You shouldn't be chewing sugar-filled gumballs if you want a healthier smile while you're on the go, but you can be chewing sugar-free gum. Sugar-free gum is great because it increases your mouth's natural production of saliva. Every time your teeth are coated in saliva, they are essentially being wiped clean. Plus, sugar-free gum can help you combat bad breath, which is critical when you're in meetings all day or in a group of people. 

Watch What You Eat

Foods that are sticky and high in sugar may cause cavities. If you can, try to avoid these foods at all costs, but especially when you are unable to brush. When you eat foods like taffy or caramel, they will stick to your teeth, which is a problem, and all of the sugar that is in them may cause cavities (especially if it's stuck on your teeth). Try to pack healthy snacks like apple slices, strawberries, carrot sticks, and cheese sticks, all of which are good for your teeth. 

Just remember that although these are good temporary solutions for when you're on the go, nothing will get you a cleaner smile quite like brushing your teeth. So as soon as you get to your hotel or your home, make sure to grab your toothbrush. And to learn more about your oral health, reach out to a dentist in your area.