Ever heard of brushing teeth with no toothpaste?

[maslex]

I've heard of people brushing with baking soda instead of toothpaste. But I've never heard of anyone brushing their teeth with nothing. I swear, the things I hear at work really baffle my mind sometimes. LOL

Got into a discussion at work yesterday about what kinds of toothpaste/mouthwash everyone uses. There were literally 3 people who said that they use nothing to brush their teeth. Sometimes they just brush their teeth with a dry toothbrush (daily, not just if they have something on their teeth) or they'll wet their toothbrush with just water and then brush. I'm like

Hey, whatever works for them....

But can your teeth get clean without using some kind of toothpaste (or baking soda, etc) and what about your breath? Wouldn't it be nasty after a while?

I guess this one really threw me for a loop. I had never heard of such a thing. Just wondering what you think? And while we're at it, what kind of toothpaste (if any ) do you use? We used to use Aqua Fresh for the longest time and now have used Colgate for many years.

 

[aprilgail2]

I've heard of people brushing with baking soda instead of toothpaste. But I've never heard of anyone brushing their teeth with nothing. I swear, the things I hear at work really baffle my mind sometimes. LOL

Got into a discussion at work yesterday about what kinds of toothpaste/mouthwash everyone uses. There were literally 3 people who said that they use nothing to brush their teeth. Sometimes they just brush their teeth with a dry toothbrush (daily, not just if they have something on their teeth) or they'll wet their toothbrush with just water and then brush. I'm like

Hey, whatever works for them....

But can your teeth get clean without using some kind of toothpaste (or baking soda, etc) and what about your breath? Wouldn't it be nasty after a while?

I guess this one really threw me for a loop. I had never heard of such a thing. Just wondering what you think? And while we're at it, what kind of toothpaste (if any ) do you use? We used to use Aqua Fresh for the longest time and now have used Colgate for many years.

Wow that is odd- personally I could never do that myself, I would feel dirty all day long, sort of like washing your hair without shampoo-- just nasty.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Never with nothing unless it was a survival skill. In that situation, an abrasive is used.

My dad brushed with just baking soda in the very early 80s. He quit smoking and his thought process was to help get rid if the taste (???) and the staining. I was not surprised when Arm and hammer eventually created their one toothpaste. But I have not heard of anyone else doing this ever.

I do know people who are against fluoride and don't use fluoride toothpaste.

 

[NHdisneylover]

The guy I dated around when I graduated highschool did that. He didn't have bad breath or anything (does your co worker? ). He just hated the feel and taste of toothpaste and the dentist told him that the brushing itself was 99% of it, and if he used a fluoridated mouthwash a couple of times a week that was just as good.

DS has lots of sensory issues and I recalled that when he used to fight me tooth and nail about brushing. Sure enough, he was much more willing as a little kid if we didn't use toothpaste. Eventually we figured out he didn't like that bubbly sensation and now buy him toothpaste that doesn't foam---but other than for fluoride our dentists have all said the same--that the brushing matters, toothpaste or not doesn't really matter if there is another source of fluoride.

 

[lauradis]

Some people don't like the taste of toothpaste.

In my dirt poor days, there where plenty of times toothpaste was a luxury.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

My nephew has sensory issues and he doesn't use toothpaste because of the way it feels in his mouth. He is 18 right now and only brushes his teeth using water. He does do a mouth rinse once a week, but that is it. So far, he hasn't had any cavities or nasty breath.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I've heard that toothpaste isn't necessary. The act of brushing and flossing is all your teeth and gums need to be/stay healthy.

As long as you have fluoride in your water or use a rinse once a day you're fine (And I don't even think you really need fluoride either so long as you are thorough and diligent in brushing and flossing).

*I am not a dentist. These are things I have read or heard throughout the years so I can't site any sources either

 

[Jennasis]

I don't brush without paste, but my understanding is that toothpaste isn't a necessity. The brushing itself is the important part. I personally dislike the taste of toothpaste (mint)...really who decided that toothpaste had to be MINT flavored?? blech. Mint ruins the taste of anything else you put in your mouth for a good hour or two. But I use it and deal with it.

 

[kirstenb1]

My 9 yr old tries to convince me of this all the time, lol!!

 

[kcool]

I love the arm & hammer toothpaste. I think it tastes great, but also like the way it feels.

 

[U2_rocks!]

My dentist told me that most people use too much toothpaste, so I have tried to cut down on how much I put on the brush (should just be a tiny blob, not the whole length of the brush). Saves money too!

 

[Wishing on a star]

EWWWWW!!!!!

But, seriously, I read once in a piece that seemed to be directed towards men, that a DRY toothbrush, would actually have the effect of scrubbing away much more gunk and plaque than a wet one with toothpaste.

Sounds like that would be rough on the poor gums!!!

I can see starting with a dry toothbrush, for that reason. Then using toothpaste.

Me... I use a pretty good amount of toothpaste (even though I know it isn't necessary) and look like a rabid dog, foaming at the mouth, after all the brushing!!!

I HATE, HATE, all the toothbrushes now.
I used to love my Colgate Gem-Diamond head toothbrushes.
The Kroger brand of was even better, as the bristles in the middle of the brush were firmer... Gentle on outside for gum-line. And those other bristles completely cleaned recesses in your back teeth, where you chew.

The brushes now are made for lazy people who do not know how to brush correctly. They are not made to be used to sweep along the gum line. And THAT is the most important spot!!!!

If they do away with the fairly simple Oral-B indicator (one of the last holdouts of this type of toothbrush) I don't know what I will do.

And, I have to have a compact toothbrush, too.
Most of the new 'CRAZY' gimmick toothbrushes with different colored bristles going ten different directions, do not come in a COMPACT.

Okay, sorry... Off my soap-box now!!!!!

Back to your regularly scheduled discussion....

 

[Wishing on a star]

Ohhh, one more thing...
For those who mentioned baking soda and Arm&Hammer.

OMG, I will not use any other toothpaste.
I make sure to get one with baking soda AND peroxide.
I don't think anything else could work as well for me.

And, if anyone is bothered by occasional canker sores...
If I am using a baking soda and peroxide, I NEVER get these.
It works...

 

[Wishing on a star]

I don't brush without paste, but my understanding is that toothpaste isn't a necessity. The brushing itself is the important part. I personally dislike the taste of toothpaste (mint)...really who decided that toothpaste had to be MINT flavored?? blech. Mint ruins the taste of anything else you put in your mouth for a good hour or two. But I use it and deal with it.

I can't stand a mint that is TOO strong and like, burns....

Have you thought about trying some kids toothpaste?

 

[pooh4evr]

I wanna say Jessica Simpson said something about not brushing her teeth a couple years ago- other than that never heard of it. I had to brush my teeth constantly when I was pregnant to help with my morning sickness (all day and night sickness.) - the fresh taste made me feel so much better! Aquafresh extreme clean!

 

[U2_rocks!]

I like a strong mint flavour, but I find I can get that quite nicely from a good mouthwash. I don't like too much foamy stuff in my mouth - it's harder to get the teeth brushed properly if you can't see what you're doing or have too much stuff falling out of your mouth! I find that I can't get the right action on my back teeth if there's too much in my mouth - I am better off with very little on my toothbrush then.

 

[RadioNate]

I've heard that toothpaste isn't necessary. The act of brushing and flossing is all your teeth and gums need to be/stay healthy. As long as you have fluoride in your water or use a rinse once a day you're fine (And I don't even think you really need fluoride either so long as you are thorough and diligent in brushing and flossing). *I am not a dentist. These are things I have read or heard throughout the years so I can't site any sources either

This is exactly what our orthodontist said. That tooth paste is only the freshen breath.

He instructed DS to brush with water only first then follow up with tooth paste.

 

[Nayan]

I can't stand toothpaste, especially mint. I can't handle mint anything, as it makes me physically ill and I either throw up or get dry heaves . I use water daily and baking soda once or twice a week.

 

[disney1990]

http://dentalhygienehaven.com/the-truth-about-toothpaste/

Nope, toothpaste isn't necessary.

 

[Earstou]

I had a friend who was having problems with his enamel thinning. His dentist told him not to use toothpaste.

I prefer paste over gel. I feel my teeth don't get clean enough with gel toothpaste.