At some point in your continued routine of oral hygiene, you look down at your tube of toothpaste and notice it is nearly empty. You keep reminding yourself to get more, but that thought escapes your head as soon as you escape the bathroom. Then, there’s nothing left, and no equation in science or nature will get any more toothpaste out. No family members or neighbors to borrow from, no time to go to the store. What can our Placerville dental patients do?
Why Use Toothpaste?
Toothpaste often contains fluoride which acts as a catalyst for remineralization — the process of filling in minor scrapes and lesions in your tooth enamel. It also provides abrasive material to help dislodge stains, plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Many versions also specialize in reducing tooth sensitivity, preventing your gums from bleeding, whitening your teeth, and of course, freshening your breath. But the main goal of any toothpaste is to help your toothbrush clean your teeth, and it does a great job of that.
Most people appreciate the importance of having a backup tube of toothpaste. Nevertheless, this busy world often results in our forgetting that trip to the store after work, and the next morning you simply can’t get another pea-sized squirt out of the tube. Because of all its benefits, you don’t want to go more than a day without using proper toothpaste in your daily routine. In lieu of halting your oral routine, here are alternatives you can use until you get that new toothpaste tube.
Temporary Solutions for No Toothpaste
Using plain water stimulates your salivary flow. This often produces enough fluid to help rinse away what your toothbrush dislodges. As another option, add small amounts of hydrogen peroxide to a glass of water and submerge your toothbrush in the mixture. A little baking soda sprinkled on your toothbrush can also help dislodge plaque and bacteria. Make absolutely sure, however, that you are using baking soda and not baking powder. Baking powder contains aluminum and acids that will harm your teeth. Keep in mind that both hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are not designed for maintaining oral health. They are merely temporary measures until you can acquire toothpaste, which is measured and mixed to benefit your teeth and tissues.
Keep Up the Stock
Always have at least a travel tube tucked away in your medicine cabinet. In fact, it’s a great idea to put together an essentials kit — a soft-bristled toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste, a box of dental floss and a small bottle of mouthwash. Keep such a kit in your bathroom, your car, your bugout bag, and even at work. Some drug stores or markets have such kits already assembled for purchase.
If you run out of toothpaste, it doesn’t mean your life is “spiraling” out of control. It’s merely an inconvenience. It’s good to avoid this inconvenience by keeping a good practice of brushing twice a day for two minutes, flossing, using mouthwash as needed, and visiting the Placerville Dental Group every six months. Maintaining this practice will help to ensure your current amount of toothpaste is in the back of your mind.
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