Going off the grid has its benefits, but there’s no denying it can also present barriers, especially when it comes to easily accessing standard healthcare services. But just because you’re moving somewhere remote or trying to be as off the grid as possible to prepare for emergency situations doesn’t mean you can’t take care of yourself and your family’s health.
As a survivalist, maintaining optimal health is essential. Unfortunately, it’s easy to overlook dental care – and that includes so much more than daily brushing and flossing. Your oral health is often a great indicator of your overall health. In fact, poor oral health can lead to a variety of other conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory issues.
Thankfully, there are things you can regularly do to keep your oral health in top shape, even when you’re far from professional dental services. Preventative practices are often the best way for a survivalist to maintain their health, but there are also actions you can take when you’re in need of emergency care and dental first aid.
The Challenge of Finding Dental Services
It can be difficult for just about anyone to find a dentist they trust. Some people have a fear of visiting a dentist or orthodontist, and others might struggle to find a qualified one if they live in a small town or rural area. That struggle becomes even greater when you’ve decided to live remotely or go off the grid. There are some things you can take care of yourself, but if you’re in an emergency dental situation, you’re going to want to work with a professional.
So, what can you do when the availability of services is limited?
One of the best ways is to do as much research as you can online. If you still use a computer or smartphone, you might be able to connect with a dentist of your choosing via telehealth. Obviously, they’re not going to be able to physically treat you if you’re struggling with pain or in need of oral surgery. But, they can offer actionable advice on how to care for your oral health and possible remedies you can use if you’re experiencing any kind of discomfort or changes to your teeth.
If you don’t want to rely on the Internet to reach a qualified dentist, consider doing your research in the nearest small town. You might initially think a big city dentist is better because they might be more likely to have state-of-the-art equipment, a large staff, and a more open schedule. But, a small-town dentist is more likely to provide personal care. They’re often treated with more respect because their patients get to know them, and vice versa. They’ll remember your dental history and create treatment plans that are personalized to fit your needs, rather than just giving you a cookie-cutter plan that is supposed to work for everyone.
If you’re completely off the grid when it comes to digital research, ask around. Talk to friends and family members you trust about who they regularly see for their oral health care. Even if you don’t regularly attend visits, having a dentist you can turn to in oral emergencies is important. The last thing you want is to be stuck with horrible tooth pain and have nowhere to turn for relief.
[Editor’s note: There’s also a book, Where There is No Dentist by Murray Dickson, that may be of interest for SHTF times. I’d imagine that you can also find it for free as a PDF, but I always prefer a hardcopy.]
Your Diet Makes a Difference
You probably learned from a very young age that some foods were bad for your teeth, while others could be helpful. As a kid, maybe your parents didn’t want you to have a lot of candy because of the risk of cavities. While that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the occasional chocolate bar today, it’s important to recognize that your diet does make a difference in your oral health, even as an adult.
Some of the best foods to include in your diet for healthy teeth and gums include:
- Dairy products;
- Whole grains;
- Fruits and vegetables.
Dairy products aren’t just tasty. They’re some of the best things to include in your diet for healthy teeth. According to the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, dairy products contain special proteins that help to protect and strengthen your teeth. You probably learned as a child how important it was to drink milk for strong bones – and that’s exactly what your teeth are! Dairy strengthens the enamel of your teeth, helping to prevent decay and pain.
Whole grains contain iron and B vitamins that keep your gums healthy and can fight back against oral diseases. They also contain magnesium, which will help to strengthen your teeth.
Fruits and vegetables contain a variety of vitamins and minerals designed to improve your overall health – including keeping your teeth and gums healthy and strong. If you’ve put time and effort into creating your own vegetable garden, take advantage of it, and your teeth will thank you!
Alternatively, some of the worst foods include anything with excess sugar. Even if you’re conscious about avoiding candy and desserts, you could have more sugar in your diet than you realize. It’s in most things that we eat and drink, including sodas, sweetened tea, breakfast cereals, and more. Even if something doesn’t seem inherently sugary, make sure you’re aware of the overall sugar content and how it could be impacting your teeth.
Try to avoid overly-acidic foods, as well. Natural foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits are great for your overall health since they are full of vitamins. But, they’re also highly acidic and can wear away at the enamel on your teeth. Once that enamel layer is eroded away, it doesn’t come back, and it can cause sensitivity or pain in your teeth.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid acidic foods completely. But, be aware of how often they’re included in your diet, and try to complement them with dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. Not only is dairy good for your teeth, but it can combat the acidity in certain foods and help to protect your teeth from enamel erosion.
Finally, if you’re not going to a dentist for regular cleanings, you might want to consider avoiding foods that are notorious for staining your teeth, including:
- Tea;
- Coffee;
- Soda;
- Red wine;
- Soy sauce;
- Tomato-based sauces.
It’s okay to include these foods once in a while, but try to brush your teeth shortly after eating/drinking them to limit the risk of staining and to keep your teeth looking clean and white.
Oral Health Tips
In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, there are other preventative steps you can take to preserve your oral health. One of the easiest and most effective ways is by brushing and flossing every day. Yes, flossing is important! It can help to reduce your risk of gum disease and gingivitis better than just brushing alone.
Brushing removes plaque, which is often the primary cause of oral health issues like gum disease. By brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, you’ll remove any barriers of plaque and strengthen your teeth. While most dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day, if you only do it once, try to make it before bed. Through normal daily activities, including eating, plaque builds up on the teeth and you could get food stuck in your gums or molars that could cause decay – and bad breath! Brushing before bed helps to clear away that plaque and bacteria so it doesn’t continue to worsen overnight.
It’s also important to make sure you’re brushing properly each time. It’s best to move in slow, circular motions around each tooth to ensure you’re breaking down the plaque – especially when you’re only brushing once a day. It doesn’t take long for plaque to harden and get caked on your teeth. Taking the time to brush each tooth appropriately will get rid of that plaque and keep it from building up over time. Brushing your teeth isn’t something you should rush through. The process should take a few minutes.
Of course, if you’re trying to limit your use of commercial products or you don’t regularly have access to them, you can make your own toothpaste with a few basic ingredients – some of which you probably already have on hand, including coconut oil and baking soda. Make sure you’re comfortable with whatever ingredients you use. It can even be helpful to get advice from a dentist before creating your own toothpaste to make sure the ingredients will be beneficial. Other DIY dentist-approved tips that can help to give you a healthier mouth include:
- Rinsing with salt water;
- Regularly replacing your toothbrush;
- Tongue scraping;
- Oil pulling with coconut oil;
- Drinking green tea.
Again, these are all things that should be discussed with a dentist, first, especially if you’re trying to introduce something new into your routine like rinsing with salt water. It can be a great way to fight off bacteria and heal any sores in your mouth, but it’s not for everyone.
If you’re already taking good care of your teeth but you’re interested in fighting back against the bacteria that cause bad breath, there are also plenty of home remedies that can help. Things like drinking more water, chewing on cloves, or gargling with a splash of apple cider vinegar in water can all help to give you fresher breath.
In addition to making your own toothpaste, you can also DIY a mouthwash using warm water, honey, lemon juice, baking soda, and cinnamon. It’s alcohol-free and will stay good for up to two weeks. Knowing exactly what’s in your mouthwash can make you feel good about using it each day. Plus, with an alcohol-free version, your kids can use it comfortably without that familiar sting often found in over-the-counter versions.
Dental First Aid
Accidents and emergencies happen. Ideally, when they do, you’ll be able to get to a dentist quickly to get things fixed and eliminate pain immediately. But, if you’re off the grid and living remotely, it might be some time before you’re able to see a professional. As a survivalist, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of some of the most common dental emergencies and how to administer basic first aid to temporarily (or permanently) treat them.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your teeth experience problems. You can’t always prevent a tooth from getting knocked out, for example, especially when you lead an active lifestyle and accidents tend to happen more frequently. Some of the other common dental emergencies you might face include:
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Broken teeth
- Mouth sores
- Infections
- Pain
So, what can you do when a dental emergency strikes and you can’t get to a professional right away? Most importantly, don’t ignore discomfort or pain. It’s your body trying to tell you something is wrong, and the longer you wait to treat it, the worse it could become. That’s especially true if you have an infection. Choosing to ignore it can cause the infection to spread throughout your body.
If you lose a tooth unexpectedly, it’s always important to go to a dentist as soon as possible. But, if you can’t get there right away, collect the tooth and any broken pieces. Scrub them gently to get off any blood, dirt, or debris. If possible, try to gently re-insert the tooth into the socket. If you’re unable to do that, keep it moist by storing it in a cup of milk until you’re able to see a dentist.
As a survivalist, you’re probably not going to be able to get to a dentist multiple times a year for regular check-ups. While it’s important to try to see one at least once a year, the next best thing is to prioritize your oral health at home.
That starts with maintaining a healthy diet and practicing good oral hygiene. As the old saying goes, you are what you eat. The foods you put in your body can have a direct impact on your teeth and gums, and can either help to strengthen them or harm them. Additionally, the habits you make as part of your daily routine can also have a huge impact on your oral well-being.
Keep these diet and hygiene tips in mind to keep your teeth and gums healthy between dental visits, and try to have a dentist you can trust on hand when emergencies strike.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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