tangent
01-18-02, 02:49
R wrote:
>
> Ok, how do you "brush your teeth" when in a survival situation?
> What can you find in the wild to replace a toothbrush and toothpaste?
A brief excerpt from TPOMUAC
The best way to handle dental problems under austere conditions
is not to have any. Preventive measures should be emphasized,
and a program developed for dental hygiene education where
needed. Brushing and flossing the teeth with whatever implements
and dentifrices are available should be regularly accomplished.
The materials used can be simple - a finger, a washcloth, or
even a twig with its end frayed by chewing can stand in for the
toothbrush, while toothpaste can be replaced by baking soda,
powdered salt, and the like. Regular thread can stand in for
dental floss or toothpicks may be used to accomplish the same
function. Simply rubbing a finger across the teeth to loosen any
materials present followed by forceful rinsing with plain water
can significantly reduce the number of dental problems you will
face.
There is also a good book on dental care in the absence of
regular facilities:
Where There is No Dentist
Murray Dickson
The Hesperian Foundation
Palo Alto, CA, 1983. 188 pages.
Paperback ISBN: 0-942364-05-8
************************************************** ****************************
Renegade academician. They're a dangerous breed when they go feral,
academics are...a chemist, too.
--(James P. Blaylock in "Lord Kelvin's Machine")
My organization hasn't agreed with any of my opinions so far, and
I doubt they'll start now.
Stanley Roberts
>
> Ok, how do you "brush your teeth" when in a survival situation?
> What can you find in the wild to replace a toothbrush and toothpaste?
A brief excerpt from TPOMUAC
The best way to handle dental problems under austere conditions
is not to have any. Preventive measures should be emphasized,
and a program developed for dental hygiene education where
needed. Brushing and flossing the teeth with whatever implements
and dentifrices are available should be regularly accomplished.
The materials used can be simple - a finger, a washcloth, or
even a twig with its end frayed by chewing can stand in for the
toothbrush, while toothpaste can be replaced by baking soda,
powdered salt, and the like. Regular thread can stand in for
dental floss or toothpicks may be used to accomplish the same
function. Simply rubbing a finger across the teeth to loosen any
materials present followed by forceful rinsing with plain water
can significantly reduce the number of dental problems you will
face.
There is also a good book on dental care in the absence of
regular facilities:
Where There is No Dentist
Murray Dickson
The Hesperian Foundation
Palo Alto, CA, 1983. 188 pages.
Paperback ISBN: 0-942364-05-8
************************************************** ****************************
Renegade academician. They're a dangerous breed when they go feral,
academics are...a chemist, too.
--(James P. Blaylock in "Lord Kelvin's Machine")
My organization hasn't agreed with any of my opinions so far, and
I doubt they'll start now.
Stanley Roberts