Being on the highway this week in LA visiting my two nephews and filming a podcast was the proper reminder of how essential it’s to stay to the basics—particularly while you’re away out of your normal routine. So for this version of Mark’s Should-Haves, I’m sharing my journey necessities—the issues I by no means depart house with out to help my oral and systemic well being whereas touring.
1) Magnesium
Let’s begin with the MVP: magnesium. Journey can throw off your sleep, your intestine, and—imagine it or not—even your tooth. I have a tendency towards delicate tooth, and magnesium is one thing I by no means skip a day on.
Magnesium helps help remineralization and reduces sensitivity. I discover my sleep suffers if I miss a dose—particularly once I’m in a brand new surroundings or completely different time zone.
>> Should you’re searching for a high-quality magnesium complement, right here’s one I like to recommend.
2) Air High quality Monitor
I all the time pack a transportable air high quality monitor. Resort air is often dry and stagnant, and if there’s mould or poor air flow? My physique is aware of. Poor air high quality will increase systemic irritation, disrupts sleep, and might dry out the mouth—which is disastrous in your oral microbiome. If the air is stuffy or polluted, I’ll crack a window (if doable) and up my hydration.
3) Electrolytes
These aren’t only for athletes—they’re essential for oral hydration too. Electrolytes (particularly magnesium, potassium, and sodium) assist your physique retain water correctly and preserve saliva manufacturing, which is your mouth’s pure protection system.
Dry mouth = extra cavities, extra plaque, extra unhealthy breath.
I all the time pack a travel-friendly electrolyte combine that’s clear, with no bizarre components.
4) Water Bottle That Filters Fluoride
I by no means drink lodge or airport water. Interval.
My journey water bottle filters out fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals, and PFAS.
Now, in case you’re new right here, let’s speak about why I filter out fluoride—as a result of I do know that may sound stunning coming from a dentist.
Sure, topical fluoride (like what’s present in toothpaste) may help strengthen enamel. However ingesting fluoride—getting it systemically by your faucet water—just isn’t solely pointless, it comes with severe considerations.
Ingesting fluoride doesn’t profit your tooth. It impacts your complete physique, not simply your mouth. And that’s the issue.
Over time, systemic fluoride publicity has been linked to:
- Neurodevelopmental dangers, particularly in kids (see the NTP monograph for the most recent complete assessment)
- Elevated danger of thyroid dysfunction, bone points, and extra
- Dental fluorosis—a visual, irreversible marker of overexposure
Because of this I co-founded Fygg—to offer individuals a greater different utilizing nano-hydroxyapatite, a biomimetic, fluoride-free mineral that remineralizes tooth simply in addition to, if not higher than, topical fluoride.
>> Discover my fluoride-filtering water bottle right here: Journey Necessities Amazon Record
5) EMF Detector
Most lodges are saturated with Wi-Fi routers, sensible TVs, keyless locks, and Bluetooth gadgets—all of which give off electromagnetic fields (EMFs). I all the time deliver this compact EMF detector to verify for high-EMF zones in my lodge room.
Why? As a result of rising analysis suggests EMF publicity can disrupt sleep high quality, melatonin manufacturing, and even have an effect on the blood-brain barrier. Whether or not or not the science is settled, I err on the aspect of warning—particularly once I’m making an attempt to optimize restoration throughout journey. If the EMF ranges are excessive, I’ll unplug pointless gadgets or transfer the mattress away from sizzling spots.
6) This Journey Toothbrush
This toothbrush is sensible. It folds up like somewhat transformer—defending the top and saving area—and has a big floor space for higher plaque elimination. Plus, it’s plant-based and lasts longer than a regular brush.
>> Seize it right here: Journey Necessities Record
7) A Flossing Stick
I don’t just like the a part of flossing the place you must stick your fingers in your mouth particularly whereas touring, so a flossing stick is a must have for journey.
>> My Flossing Favorites (I linked one price range model, and one premium model)
8) Mandibular Development System (MAD)
I exploit a customized MAD which I made, however might be made by any airway-trained practical dentist—it retains my airway open and prevents sleep-disordered respiratory, which impacts all the things from mind well being to blood sugar.
>> Discover a practitioner by the Purposeful Dentist Listing or the listing on AADSM.org
9) Oura Ring
I all the time put on my Oura ring to trace sleep, HRV, and restoration—particularly essential when touring and navigating jet lag or late dinner with the nephews. It helps me see how issues like air high quality or magnesium have an effect on my sleep in real-time.
10) Mouth Tape + Eye Masks
Sleep high quality is all the things. I pack my mouth tape to encourage nasal respiratory at night time, and I exploit this light-blocking eye masks from my Bedtime Necessities Record. Once you’re on the highway, lodge lighting can wreak havoc on melatonin ranges—these easy instruments make an enormous distinction.
Journey doesn’t should derail your well being. With somewhat preparation, you’ll be able to shield your oral microbiome, your sleep, and your long-term well being—even in a lodge room.
It’s actually a privilege to land in your inbox every week. I need this article to serve you. So—what would you like me to jot down about? I can’t reply to each e-mail personally, however I do learn them, and I reply to lots of you every day.
See you subsequent week.
–Dr. B
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P.S. It appears like loads of you might be interested in knowledge tooth—I’ve been getting tons of messages—so I’m engaged on a deep-dive on that for an upcoming publication. Hit me along with your knowledge tooth questions—or any subjects you’re burning to grasp higher.