Being on the road this week in LA visiting my two nephews and filming a podcast was the perfect reminder of how critical it is to stick to the fundamentals—especially when you’re away from your usual routine. So for this edition of Mark’s Must-Haves, I’m sharing my travel essentials—the things I never leave home without to support my oral and systemic health while traveling.
1) Magnesium
Let’s start with the MVP: magnesium. Travel can throw off your sleep, your gut, and—believe it or not—even your teeth. I tend toward sensitive teeth, and magnesium is something I never skip a day on.
Magnesium helps support remineralization and reduces sensitivity. I notice my sleep suffers if I miss a dose—especially when I’m in a new environment or different time zone.
>> If you’re looking for a high-quality magnesium supplement, here’s one I recommend.
2) Air Quality Monitor
I always pack a portable air quality monitor. Hotel air is usually dry and stagnant, and if there’s mold or poor ventilation? My body knows. Poor air quality increases systemic inflammation, disrupts sleep, and can dry out the mouth—which is disastrous for your oral microbiome. If the air is stuffy or polluted, I’ll crack a window (if possible) and up my hydration.
3) Electrolytes
These aren’t just for athletes—they’re crucial for oral hydration too. Electrolytes (especially magnesium, potassium, and sodium) help your body retain water properly and maintain saliva production, which is your mouth’s natural defense system.
Dry mouth = more cavities, more plaque, more bad breath.
I always pack a travel-friendly electrolyte mix that’s clean, with no weird additives.
4) Water Bottle That Filters Fluoride
I never drink hotel or airport water. Period.
My travel water bottle filters out fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals, and PFAS.
Now, if you’re new here, let’s talk about why I filter out fluoride—because I know that might sound surprising coming from a dentist.
Yes, topical fluoride (like what’s found in toothpaste) can help strengthen enamel. But drinking fluoride—getting it systemically through your tap water—is not only unnecessary, it comes with serious concerns.
Ingesting fluoride doesn’t benefit your teeth. It affects your entire body, not just your mouth. And that’s the problem.
Over time, systemic fluoride exposure has been linked to:
- Neurodevelopmental risks, especially in children (see the NTP monograph for the latest comprehensive review)
- Increased risk of thyroid dysfunction, bone issues, and more
- Dental fluorosis—a visible, irreversible marker of overexposure
This is why I co-founded Fygg—to give people a better alternative using nano-hydroxyapatite, a biomimetic, fluoride-free mineral that remineralizes teeth just as well as, if not better than, topical fluoride.
>> Find my fluoride-filtering water bottle here: Travel Essentials Amazon List
5) EMF Detector
Most hotels are saturated with Wi-Fi routers, smart TVs, keyless locks, and Bluetooth devices—all of which give off electromagnetic fields (EMFs). I always bring this compact EMF detector to check for high-EMF zones in my hotel room.
Why? Because emerging research suggests EMF exposure can disrupt sleep quality, melatonin production, and even affect the blood-brain barrier. Whether or not the science is settled, I err on the side of caution—especially when I’m trying to optimize recovery during travel. If the EMF levels are high, I’ll unplug unnecessary devices or move the bed away from hot spots.
6) This Travel Toothbrush
This toothbrush is brilliant. It folds up like a little transformer—protecting the head and saving space—and has a large surface area for better plaque removal. Plus, it’s plant-based and lasts longer than a standard brush.
>> Grab it here: Travel Essentials List
7) A Flossing Stick
I don’t like the part of flossing where you have to stick your fingers in your mouth especially while traveling, so a flossing stick is a must-have for travel.
>> My Flossing Favorites (I linked one budget version, and one premium version)
8) Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)
I use a custom MAD which I made, but can be made by any airway-trained functional dentist—it keeps my airway open and prevents sleep-disordered breathing, which affects everything from brain health to blood sugar.
>> Find a practitioner through the Functional Dentist Directory or the directory on AADSM.org
9) Oura Ring
I always wear my Oura ring to track sleep, HRV, and recovery—especially important when traveling and navigating jet lag or late dinner with the nephews. It helps me see how things like air quality or magnesium affect my sleep in real-time.
10) Mouth Tape + Eye Mask
Sleep quality is everything. I pack my mouth tape to encourage nasal breathing at night, and I use this light-blocking eye mask from my Bedtime Essentials List. When you’re on the road, hotel lighting can wreak havoc on melatonin levels—these simple tools make a huge difference.
Travel doesn’t have to derail your health. With a little preparation, you can protect your oral microbiome, your sleep, and your long-term health—even in a hotel room.
It’s truly a privilege to land in your inbox each week. I want this newsletter to serve you. So—what do you want me to write about? I can’t reply to every email personally, but I do read them, and I respond to many of you each day.
See you next week.
–Dr. B
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P.S. It sounds like a lot of you are curious about wisdom teeth—I’ve been getting tons of messages—so I’m working on a deep-dive on that for an upcoming newsletter. Hit me with your wisdom teeth questions—or any topics you’re burning to understand better.