You’ve spent all week preparing for your vacation. You wrote a checklist, triple-checked your luggage, and brought all of your toiletries in the recommended 3.4oz containers. After hours of sitting in a plane, you finally arrive at the hotel, open your suitcase, and––gasp––realize that you forgot your toothbrush. The hotel doesn’t have any and no nearby stores are open. Of course, you should always use a toothbrush, but if worst comes to worst, what should you do?

How to Clean Your Teeth When You Don’t Have a Toothbrush

Paper towelsUsing a paper towel instead of your toothbrush one option. Just wrap the paper towel around your finger and use it as a brush. Even if it doesn’t have the efficiency that a toothbrush has, this type of approach does work fairly well to clean the surface of teeth. And most have some type of towel or napkin lying around, however, nothing can fully replace your toothbrush.WaterPour some water in your mouth and then swish it around every part of your mouth. This method will remove most of what’s accumulated on the tooth’s surfaces, and when you spit, you will also be removing some of the plaque. It’s a great option and a very simple one too. However, it works best if you do it just after eating.Baking sodaThis option is widely used across the globe. You might even have seen or used toothpaste that has baking soda in it. Baking soda has tooth whitening properties, and this makes it a popular ingredient in many dental hygiene products. If you’re out of toothpaste or can’t find your toothbrush, baking soda is something you may want to consider!FlossingFlossing is an essential part of any dental hygiene routine. Maybe you remembered to bring the floss but forgot your toothbrush. Or maybe you’re at home but you’ve misplaced your usual toothbrush. Flossing helps to remove the plaque that sits between your teeth, that not even a toothbrush can reach!Oil PullingIn this method, one places a teaspoon of oil into the mouth and swirls it around. Some suggest that this maybe the best method out there to remove the toxins and it will help you clean your teeth fast. This method of is not a replacement for regular dental care.As you can see, there are still ways to clean your teeth without a toothbrush if you need to. The idea is to have a creative mind and to use whatever you can to make the cleaning process as and as comprehensive as you can.It’s important to always take care of your teeth and to receive regular dental care, so give us a call today at (615) 893-5500 to schedule an appointment! We here at Cosmetic Dentistry of Murfreesboro are happy to help you achieve a clean and healthy smile.