It happened again. You went to the store specifically to buy a new tube of toothpaste, and you walked out with a bagful of items but forgot the toothpaste. Now it’s too late for a run to the store and you positively cannot squeeze one more tiny bit of toothpaste out of that sad, crumpled tube in your bathroom. What to do? And what about the morning, with its awful breath, but not a bit of toothpaste before you head off to work or school!

The reason you’re stressing about the lack of toothpaste is probably that you already practice good dental hygiene. You brush your teeth every morning and evening, and perhaps after lunch or sugar, sticky snacks. You floss every single night, right? And of course, you see your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups. If you didn’t do these things, you might just head off to bed or work with unbrushed teeth, but that’s not you, so Lakeside Family Dentistry has a plan!

Toothpaste is the ideal thing for brushing your teeth, but merely brushing is good for your teeth and gums, toothpaste or no toothpaste. So grab that toothbrush and start brushing those teeth with plain water. If you have some mouthwash on hand, a few swishes of that with your regular brushing routine accomplishes the intended goal — removing food debris, breaking up the layer of plaque around your teeth and freshening your breath.

If you positively cannot stand the thought of just brushing with water and rinsing with mouthwash, you may brush with a bit of baking soda. Note, this is not baking powder, which contains aluminum and acids. So when you’re out of toothpaste, baking soda can step up and give you that tingly clean feeling that plain water does not. Very diluted hydrogen peroxide can be used in a desperate situation as well, but neither baking soda nor hydrogen peroxide is designed specifically for long-term use as a tooth cleaner. They both lack many of the beneficial ingredients of toothpaste, like fluoride.

In the morning, after brushing again, and using your mouthwash, chewing some minty sugar-free gum can put you in the mood to face your co-workers. We don’t recommend sugary mints that may contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. During your lunch break, or as soon as work is done, head to the store, because now you really need to buy some toothpaste! In fact, why not just stock up on soft-bristled toothbrushes, mouthwash, toothpaste with fluoride and some packets of dental floss.

Make sure you get brands that are approved by the American Dental Association. Buy a travel toothbrush and toothpaste to keep at work, or in your purse, or in your car. When you’re all stocked up on dental supplies, that’s something to smile about!