As hard as we all try to be prepared, sometimes you find yourself needing to brush your teeth without a toothbrush or toothpaste (The 7 best toothpaste for sensitive teeth are here ) in sight. What do you do? Should you just ignore the build-up on your teeth? Of course not! Here are five easy ways you can clean your teeth in a pinch.

Water

The quickest, easiest, and most accessible way to clean your teeth without a toothbrush and toothpaste is to take a sip of warm water and swish it vigorously around your mouth. This action frees up any surface dirt on your teeth. This is not, however, a viable long-term option, but if you find yourself without a toothbrush and toothpaste for a night or two, this option is better than nothing.

Paper Towel

If you’re looking for something a little more substantial than water, simply wrap a paper towel or thin cloth around your finger and use it as a brush. This method can work wonders at a moment’s notice. While this isn’t as effective as using a toothbrush and will do little to combat bad breath, this last-ditch approach can remove enough plaque to tide you over until you’re reunited with your toiletries.

Baking Soda

Before toothpaste, baking soda was actually the go-to for cleaning teeth, so why wouldn’t we use it in a pinch? To use, simply mix with a little water and then rub on your teeth with your finger. Make sure you try not to swallow and rinse thoroughly after brushing.

Flossing

If you, for some reason, don’t have your toothbrush or toothpaste but do have access to floss, flossing is a great way to remove food debris or plaque from between your teeth and avoid excess bacteria growth within your mouth. We suggest that, in addition to flossing, you also use the water method mentioned above to make sure there’s nothing left behind.

Oil-Pulling

Oil-pulling, if you haven’t heard of this growing trend, is where you place a teaspoon of oil into your mouth and swish it around. Sesame and coconut oils are said to be ideal for this method, but olive or sunflower oil is also sufficient. Oil pulling is said to remove toxins from your mouth, allowing you to spit them out into the sink when you’re finished.