Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Look for a toothbrush alternative
• Method 2 of 3: Brushing Your Teeth
• Method 3 of 3: Use a toothpaste alternative
• Warnings

Are you on a trip and forgot to take your toothbrush with you? Or came to work or school without brushing your teeth? You can still get your teeth clean with a little creativity. A paper towel, twig, or even your finger can replace your toothbrush, or as a last resort, certain foods can help you clean your teeth.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Look for a toothbrush alternative

1. 1 Use a tissue or paper towel. A hard napkin will help better with brushing your teeth, but if you don't have one, a paper towel will do.
   • Wrap a tissue or paper towel around your index finger, dampen it with water, and add some toothpaste, if available.
   • Brush your teeth as if using a toothbrush - start at the gums and work your way down, brushing each individual tooth in a circular motion.
   • Don't forget to brush your tongue.
   • Rinse your mouth thoroughly at the end of the procedure.
2. 2 Find a twig. Before toothbrushes were introduced, most people brushed their teeth with twigs or twigs. In many parts of the world, this is still done using twigs of oak, arak or neem. According to research, arak twigs contain fluoride and antimicrobial agents, so brushing your teeth with them is as effective, if not more effective, than regular brushing and toothpaste.
   • Choose a young, flexible twig 15-20 cm long. You need a twig without bark, only with a thin skin.
   • Peel off this skin and chew on one end of the stick until the fibers separate, as if turning the end into a small brush. Use it to brush your teeth.
3. 3 Brush your teeth with just your finger. If you don't have paper towels, napkins, or twigs on hand, you can always use your finger. First, wash your hands thoroughly, then use your index finger as a toothbrush - start at the gums and work your way down, brushing each individual tooth in a circular motion.
   • Be sure to rinse your finger as you move from your upper teeth to your lower teeth, and then from your front teeth to your back teeth.
   • Rinse your mouth thoroughly at the end of the procedure.

Method 2 of 3: Brushing Your Teeth

1. 1 Rinse out your mouth with mouthwash. Although mouthwash and a variety of mouthwash should not be used as a substitute for standard brushing, they kill germs in the mouth and prevent plaque buildup. Put some liquid in your mouth and rinse your mouth thoroughly for about a minute to clean your teeth.
2. 2 Use dental floss to brush your teeth. If you've forgotten your toothbrush but brought some dental floss with you, then you're in luck. Many dentists find flossing your teeth more effectively than brushing your teeth more effectively than brushing your teeth. Flossing helps eliminate bacteria and remove food from between your teeth and around your gums. Rinse your mouth thoroughly at the end for complete cleanliness.
3. 3 Clean your teeth in the shower. Open your mouth and let warm water run over your teeth. The shower works like a flush system, helping you rinse your mouth and wash away plaque. Add finger brushing to this for a more thorough clean.
4. 4 Chew gum to clean your teeth. Sugar-free chewing gum has been shown to be just as effective in removing food particles, plaque, and bacteria from teeth as dental floss. It also freshens your breath. The optimal duration of chewing is 1 minute, after which bacteria begin to flow from the gum back into the oral cavity.
5. 5 Drink green tea or rinse your mouth with it. Green tea contains antioxidants polyphenols that reduce plaque and fight gum disease, just drink the tea or use it as a mouthwash for a stronger effect.
6. 6 Eat fruits and vegetables that brush your teeth. The abrasive nature of fibrous vegetables can help clean teeth, while the vitamins and acids they contain have whitening properties and help fight tooth decay.
   • Apples - Apples contain vitamin C, which is essential for gum health, and malic acid, which helps whiten teeth.
   • Carrots - Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which strengthens tooth enamel.
   • Celery - Chewing celery stimulates the production of saliva, which helps neutralize the acids that cause tooth decay.

Method 3 of 3: Use a toothpaste alternative

1. 1 Use baking soda instead of toothpaste. If you forget your toothbrush and toothpaste, you can use regular baking soda instead. Actually, it is a component of many toothpastes due to its ability to whiten teeth and remove plaque. Just place some baking soda on your finger, paper towel, or tissue, and then start brushing your teeth.
2. 2 Try a mixture of salt and water. Salt has natural antibacterial properties and can eliminate some of the germs that cause plaque when you don't have toothpaste on hand. Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water. Then submerge your finger, paper towel, or tissue in the salt water and start brushing your teeth. You can also use salt water to rinse your mouth after brushing.
   • Do not use salt if you have metal fillings as it is corrosive.
3. 3 Make strawberry toothpaste. Strawberries contain vitamin C to support gum health, a powerful astringent that helps get rid of plaque, and an acid that whitens teeth. Together with baking soda or by itself, strawberries are a good substitute for toothpaste.
   • But be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing, as strawberries also contain sugar that causes tooth decay.

Warnings

• Don't just rely on these methods. Maintain regular oral hygiene by flossing, brushing your teeth, and rinsing with special products at least twice a day and after meals.