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Running out of toothpaste is no excuse for not brushing. Ordinary baking soda makes an excellent temporary substitute for toothpaste. All that is necessary is to moisten a toothbrush, dip it in some baking soda, and start brushing. This works because baking soda is a very mild abrasive (mild enough to clean the enamal on teeth without damaging it), helps kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and eliminates odors (including those from garlic and onions). The only thing really lacking in baking soda for use as a toothpaste is flouride. Some people believe that flouride can be harmful to the health, which is true if ingested in large amounts or by highly sensitive people. However, flouride has been shown to be highly effective in preventing tooth decay, and thus flouride toothpastes should be used to the extent possible. Created September 30, 2006. |