How to Clean Your Teeth Without Toothpaste?

Whether or not you have ever visited a dental clinic in Calgary, you have heard about the emphasized value of keeping your mouth clean. We can all agree that the mouth is the first contact point for most things that make their way into your body. Therefore, be extra careful handling your oral cavity, as it directly impacts your overall health. Besides, leaving food particles on the surfaces of your mouth for a long time is similar to leaving food uncovered for a long. Over time, it goes stale and becomes a haven for bacteria.

What Is the Essence of Oral Hygiene?

There must be a reason all dentists near you emphasize excellent oral hygiene. It is fundamental for maintaining the health and cleanliness of the mouth, teeth, and gums. Without good oral hygiene measures, you are vulnerable to many health problems for your mouth and body. Generally, the key elements of good oral hygiene include the following:

• Brushing twice a day to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums.
• Flossing daily to remove food debris and plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line.
• Using an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen your breath.
• Visiting a dentist near you regularly for checkups and cleanings.

Benefits of Excellent Oral Hygiene

Excellent oral hygiene has many benefits for overall health and the health and appearance of your teeth and gums. They include:

1. Prevention of tooth decay and gum disease
2. Fresher breathes – by removing bacteria and food particles from the mouth.
3. Improved overall health by lowering the risk of certain systemic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
4. Better appearance by keeping teeth and gums healthy and looking their best.
5. Lower dental costs since you will not need costly dental treatments such as fillings, crowns, and root canals.

Can You Keep Your Mouth Clean Without Toothpaste?

While toothpaste is created with special formulas to keep teeth clean, fight stains, and strengthen teeth, you can get away with cleaning your mouth without them. However, it would require intentional efforts and an understanding the basics of dental care tips to get it right. Some alternative methods for keeping your mouth clean:

1. Brushing with just water – can still effectively remove food particles and plaque from the teeth and gums. However, brush for at least two minutes using a soft-bristled brush to avoid damaging the enamel.
2. Oil pulling – involves swishing a tablespoon of oil, such as coconut or sesame oil, in your mouth for 20 minutes before spitting it out. This method can help to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
3. Baking soda – is a natural tooth whitener and can help neutralize the acid in the mouth. Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to make a paste, then brush as usual.
4. Chewing sugar-free gum and drinking water – can help to stimulate saliva production, which can help to wash away food particles and neutralize acids in the mouth.

Will These Measures Be Enough?

​No dentist in a dental clinic in Calgary would recommend alternative teeth cleaning methods with a finality. Instead, you must take other measures to help build strong teeth and account for the absence of toothpaste. Some of them include the following:

1. Regular fluoride treatments – visit your dentist at Springhill Dental routinely for a fluoride treatment. It strengthens your teeth’ enamel, increasing their resistance to bacteria and acids that cause dental cavities.
2. Limit your consumption of sugary and acidic foods and drinks, which usually contribute significantly to tooth decay and erosion.
3. Routine dental cleanings – allow a dentist or dental hygienist to clean your mouth at least once every six months thoroughly. These cleanings will target the hard-to-reach parts of your mouth that you may be missing with alternative teeth cleaning methods.
4. Avoid staining foods and drinks – you can easily incur stains if you do not use toothpaste to brush your teeth. Therefore, avoid darkly pigmented foods and drinks, like dark berries, wine, and coffee.