|
|
What to Do When Traveling and You Have Forgotten Your Toothbrush and Toothpaste
|
Posted on 7/15/2015 by Tom Bierman |
 You had to leave in a hurry and now at 30,000 feet, you realize you left your toiletries at home. You get that punch in the gut feeling because you have no idea when you will be able to get to a store to buy replacements.
Have you ever wondered how people took care of their teeth before the invention of the toothbrush or toothpaste? Did they just let their teeth go and have a painful and miserable existence? You may not know, but there are acceptable alternatives to keeping your pearly whites pearly in a pinch, until you can get to the store.
Be Resourceful!
If you are traveling and have forgotten or misplaced your toothbrush, you can use a washcloth. Just wrap the textured cloth around your forefinger and gently move your finger in a circular motion. It works best if you can come up with some toothpaste (more on that in a bit); however, even just a splash of water will help to remove any debris.
Begin at the gum line and just give each tooth a slight massage until you have cleaned them all. You can even use the washcloth on your tongue. When you are done, give your mouth a good rinse. When you run your tongue along the front of your teeth, you will be amazed at how they feel. You can even use a paper towel if you really have too. Just be sure to fold it in half a few times so it is more durable.
Oh, and do not use the same washcloth again. You could end up just putting harmful bacteria back into your mouth!
Toothpaste AlternativesThere isn't really anything out there that is going to adequately compare to the fresh minty feeling of your toothpaste bubbles tingling your mouth. If you have mouthwash, that is the next best thing.
However, if you forgot your toiletries then mouthwash will probably have to wait. Baking soda is a great alternative. Surprisingly enough, strawberries can be effective as toothpaste either on their own or mixed with the baking soda. Strawberries have a strong astringent to remove cavity causing plaque and even an acid that helps to whiten them.
Try chewing gum. It can loosen up food particles and freshen your breath at the same time. But don't chew for too long as the bacteria that was loosened up from the food can begin to go back onto the teeth and gums after a minute or so.
Take advantage of some fibrous fruits and veggies on the plane. Apples, celery and even carrots are more than healthy for you, they can help clean your teeth. They even have a slight acidity level that can help break down unwanted cavity causing bacteria without damaging the surface of your teeth.
Go for green tea. You can use it as a mouth wash. If you want to drink it, just give it a few good firm swishes before swallowing. The antioxidant compound found in green tea fights gum disease and even helps reduce the amount of plaque that can stick in between your teeth.
Anything is Better than Nothing!
If you are getting to your hotel late, you can take advantage of a nice warm and steamy shower. Open your mouth and let the streams hit your gum line and teeth. The shower water will act like a water pick. Use your finger to rub your teeth and throw in a few strong swishes for a fresher mouth until you can get to the store or back home.
Please contact us if you have any questions about your oral health.
Using a combination of any or all of these methods will allow you to keep your teeth clean and prevent unnecessary plaque buildup until you can get to the store. And yes, before the modern toothbrush and toothpaste, there were more tooth decay problems!
|
|
|
 |
|
New Patient Special
$249 New Patient Special: Includes x-rays, initial cleaning, comprehensive exam and photos. Does not include periodontal therapy (deep cleaning) if necessary due to periodontal disease. Some restrictions may apply. - Contact our office.
"The staff at San Diego Dental Studio were so courteous and helpful to me during my visit to their office. Dr. Bierman was very kind and answered all my questions."
If we did a good job for you at your appointment, we hope you'll leave us a review online.
Reviews
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
