Have you ever found yourself without regular dental products and in need of a brush? Well, it happens more often than you would think. One slip of the checklist, and you forgot to pack your toothbrush and toothpaste for a camping trip.
Some people may also need to brush on the go when their teeth feel sticky or mucky. Some people experience discomfort after eating sugary foods, like a layer of stickiness adhered to the teeth’ surface.
Or maybe you left your house in a hurry and forgot to scrub your pearly whites. Now you have to face your coworkers with possibly bad breath and the ever-growing feeling of muckiness in your mouth.
Perhaps you ran out of toothpaste and could not get more in time. Toothbrushes could also fall in the toilet on busy mornings, and you might not buy one in time.
Carrying a dental kit everywhere you go is not an ideal solution for everyone. Therefore, you need to turn to non-traditional ways of cleaning your teeth. Luckily, we have just the list for you.
It is important to note that some work as well as using toothpaste and a toothbrush. However, others are temporary, and you will still need to brush properly at the end of the day or when you get a chance.
So keep an open mind as you explore unusual but effective methods of cleaning your teeth.
Strange Ways To Clean Your Teeth And Gums
1. Crunchy fruits and vegetables
If your teeth feel mucky or sticky after eating something sugary, this is the ideal solution for you. Find crunchy fruits or vegetables such as celery, apples, pears, and even carrots and eat them raw.
The crunchy feel of these fruits and vegetables cleans the teeth as you eat them. They scrub tooth surfaces, clear the stickiness, and effectively remove bacteria. Note that eating crunchy fruits and vegetables is not an alternative for brushing.
You still need bristles to get between teeth and remove stuck food particles. Additionally, the fruits will not freshen your breath. Therefore, this is a temporary solution. Eat these fruits as the last thing in your meal to prevent stickiness on your teeth.
2. Paper towel
If your issue is a missing or dirty toothbrush, you can clean your teeth with a paper towel. A paper towel provides soft abrasiveness that is enough for cleaning teeth surfaces. Just dampen the towel and add toothpaste to it. Use it to rub the teeth in small circles.
If you do not have toothpaste, you can do the same with just the damp towel. Use short strokes starting at the gum and moving to the bottom. Focus on each tooth individually. You can use this technique on the inner sides of your teeth to remove bacteria and stickiness.
3. Index finger
This is another solution to a missing toothbrush. Just use your index finger if you cannot access a paper towel. You can use your fingertips to clean food particles and bacteria from the surface of your teeth.
But, fingers carry a lot of germs. Therefore, you need to wash your hands thoroughly before using this trick. Ensure that you get under the nail and rinse well. Then take your index finger, put on some toothpaste, and clean your teeth as you would with the paper towel.
Ensure that you do not hurt yourself with the nail. Focus on each tooth and always use circular motions to remove bacteria effectively.
4. Teeth wipes
If you have never heard of teeth wipes, they do just what the name suggests. Teeth wipes are small gauze-like pads that you can use to wipe away bacteria during the day. Some even have fluoride to improve enamel strength.
Teeth wipes are non-abrasive and ideal for keeping teeth clean on the go. They reduce bacteria on tooth surfaces, so if this is something you are worried about, teeth wipes will work well for you.
Teeth wipes are common among new parents. They are ideal for cleaning the baby’s teeth and gums. They reduce the risk of developing tooth decay and other dental diseases when the child grows.
Note that teeth wipes are not an alternative to brushing. They do not remove all the bacteria and cannot get in between the teeth spaces. Therefore, brush your teeth properly when you get the chance.
5. Chewing gum
Chewing gums is an ideal way to clean your teeth and freshen your breath on the go. If you have eaten something sugary, chewing gum will rub on your tooth surfaces to reduce the feeling of muckiness.
Chewing gum also boosts saliva production. More saliva means more bacteria getting washed away from the mouth. Additionally, it will help freshen your breath.
Just be sure that the chewing gum is sugar-free. Studies show that cinnamon-flavored gum is great for reducing bacteria in the mouth, so if you can find it, make it your go-to gum.
6. Baking soda
Baking soda is an ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste, and some people claim that it can help whiten your teeth. It is an effective tooth cleaner for when you have run out of toothpaste. Just put some on your toothbrush and go about your routine.
You can also put some on your finger or paper towel if you do not have a toothbrush to clean your teeth. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that reduces bacteria in the mouth. It can also help lift mild stains. It works as well as toothpaste.
However, it does not cover bad breath too well. And toothpaste has some antibacterial properties over baking soda. Therefore, do not make baking soda your permanent toothpaste alternative.
7. Regular water
And finally, if all these items are unavailable, you can use regular water to keep your teeth clean till you find a toothbrush. Drinking water helps to flush away bacteria and effectively prevent buildup.
Drinking water can also flush away food particles and debris from the mouth. Therefore, drink a lot of water if you miss your oral routine and have no alternative. Remember, this is not the same as brushing.
Use a toothbrush as soon as you can to effectively remove bacteria and keep teeth in good health.
