Do you often travel or find yourself in a rush in the morning and frequently forget to brush? Although once or twice won’t hurt the long-term health of your teeth, these bad habits can quickly add up, leading to a mouth more prone to tooth decay and cavities. 

However, the good news is that you can keep your dental health routine on track by preparing a little in advance.   

Keep reading to learn some simple tips for what to do when you’re stuck without a toothbrush and toothpaste!   

Keep Floss in Your Bag  

Unlike toothpaste and a toothbrush, floss is far easier to put in a bag or purse without adding bulk. You can also purchase multiple packs of floss and put them in your car, bathroom, and frequently used bags so that you’re never caught without it.   

When you can’t brush your teeth, flossing your teeth can be a great alternative compared to doing nothing. This is because you’ll be able to remove plaque and food debris buildup before swishing your mouth out for water.   

Chew Sugar-Free Gum  

Beyond toothpaste, it’s also recommended to stock up on some sugar-free gum–xylitol is a common ingredient that’s approved by the American Dental Association. This is because gum with xylitol doesn’t add harmful sugars to your mouth.   

Here are a few of the benefits of xylitol gum that you can enjoy:   

• Increases saliva production  

• Low glycemic index  

• Reduces harmful bacteria in your mouth   

• Improves digestive health  

• Freshens breath  

If you’re stuck without a toothbrush and toothpaste for extended amounts of gum, sugar-free gum can help offset the harmful effects of bacteria. However, keep your gum away from your pets–it’s highly toxic for dogs.   

Invest in Disposable Toothbrushes  

If you often travel or forget to brush your teeth, consider investing in disposable toothbrushes. These small toothbrushes are travel-friendly because they have toothpaste already applied to the bristles.   

Once you’re done brushing your teeth, you simply dispose of the toothbrush. These toothbrushes can also be beneficial when you get sick or suffer from mental illness. In addition, keeping some disposable toothbrushes at the side of your bed can make it easier to attend to your oral hygiene because you don’t need to get up in order to use a disposable toothbrush.   

You can throw out the toothbrush in a nearby trashcan afterward. After you get used to using those toothbrushes, you can consider investing in a reusable travel toothbrush so that you’re contributing less waste.  

Make Healthy Choices   

If you know that you won’t be able to brush your teeth anytime soon, we recommend focusing on drinking as much water as possible throughout the day and snacking on crunchy vegetables and fruit. The more water you drink, the easier it is to keep leftover food and plaque from building up in your mouth.   

Crunchy fruits and vegetables can also help scrub away developed plaque and provide a much-needed energy boost.   

Create a Paper Towel Toothbrush  

Lastly, consider creating a makeshift toothbrush with a paper towel if you have toothpaste but no toothbrush. The thicker the paper towel, the better. Wrap a piece tightly around your index finger and use the same brushing motions you normally use on your teeth.   

You can even use this method with just water because the paper towel still provides an abrasive surface that can help remove plaque.   

Taking Your Dental Health Routine Seriously 

By taking your dental health routine more seriously, even when traveling or at work, you’re less likely to develop more serious issues later on. This is especially important if you’re prone to tooth decay, gingivitis, and cavities.   

Keep in mind that no matter how good you are at sticking with your dental health routine, your teeth aren’t immaculate until you visit a dentist twice a year. So schedule an appointment with us today for your cleaning!