Can You Use Soap In Place Of Toothpaste?

Posted on 06/21/2021 by Joshua M. Ignatowicz DMD & Associates
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Have you ever found yourself on an overnight trip and forgotten to pack your toothpaste? What do you do then It’s easy. Just use soap!

Using Soap To Brush Your Teeth

Most kinds of toothpaste these days usually have some kind of detergent in their formula, which helps remove the bacteria and germs from the teeth, preventing the buildup of plaque, tooth decay, and other gum diseases. Subsequently, soaps are also a kind of detergent.

Therefore, as long as you don’t mind that soap taste, you should be completely fine using a bar of soap to brush your teeth once in a while. They will be almost as effective as cleaning your mouth with toothpaste. Simply make sure to get all the nooks and crannies in your teeth and rinse your mouth thoroughly after.

The Flip Side

On the other hand, you shouldn’t make it a habit to use soap in place of toothpaste all the time. While it’s okay to use in times of emergency, soap isn’t great for the teeth. It lacks crucial ingredients such as fluoride to fight cavities and other dental problems.

Moreover, when using soap on your teeth, there’s always the risk of swallowing some of that soap, which is incredibly dangerous. Besides that, if you don’t have toothpaste, you should try to arrange some as soon as possible.

In the meanwhile, you can also simply brush your teeth with warm water and a plain old toothbrush. The brushing motion and bristles of the toothbrush will be enough to get rid of any food particles from your teeth as well as bacteria and plaque. Going one day without toothpaste won’t do too much damage, but it’s best not to let it go for more than a day. You can contact a dentist or orthodontist for more than a day.

If you do suspect some damage from using soap on your teeth, schedule an appointment with Joshua M. Ignatowicz, DMD, DICOI at Joshua M. Ignatowicz DMD & Associates to get your teeth inspected immediately.