Water for Brushing
Short answer. For water for brushing camping trips call for, use the same water you would drink: treated, filtered, boiled or bottled if the source is uncertain. Brushing with a small, measured amount keeps supplies in check, and a quick rinse with a cup is enough.
- Treat brushing water like drinking water, because some of it will be swallowed.
- Measure out a small cup before you start so you do not run the tap or bottle dry.
- Boiling, filtering and chemical treatment each have limits, so check the instructions on your own gear.
- Keep the cup, brush and cap off the ground and away from dirt.
- A dentist can help if camping disrupts your routine for long stretches.
Why the water matters more than you think
It is easy to treat brushing water as something that only touches the outside of your mouth. In practice a little always gets swallowed, and the brush bristles carry whatever is in the water straight to your gums and cheeks. That is why the usual camp advice is to hold brushing water to the same standard as drinking water.
The exception people often make is for a clear mountain stream. Clear does not mean safe, since the microbes that cause stomach trouble are invisible. If you would not drink it untreated, we would not brush with it.
Choosing a source: tap, bottled, stream or lake
At a developed campground with a labeled potable tap, the water is typically fine to use as it comes. Tap water in a hiking-hut or backcountry site is a different matter, and signs near the spigot will usually say whether it is meant for drinking.
For streams, lakes and ponds, treat first. For dry camps and long trips, bottled or carried water is the simplest way to avoid guessing. Match the choice to how far you are from services and how long you will be out.
- Posted potable tap: use as is, unless the sign says otherwise
- Unmarked tap or hand pump: treat before brushing
- Stream, lake or pond: treat every time
- Carried or bottled water: ready to use
Treating questionable water: what the options can and cannot do
Boiling, filters and chemical tablets or drops are the common choices, and each handles a different set of problems. Some methods deal with certain microbes better than others, and filters differ a great deal in what they are built to remove.
Check the manufacturer's instructions for your own filter or treatment product, including contact time for chemical methods and how to care for the unit. If the instructions do not state what it handles, treat that as a limit and choose another method for brushing water.
How much water do you actually need?
A small cup is usually enough for a full brushing session. Wet the brush, brush with a fluoride toothpaste, spit, and use a cupful to rinse the brush and swish once or twice. Dental organizations commonly advise brushing twice a day, and it helps to plan the water for both.
Pouring from a bottle straight over the brush wastes a lot. Measure your cup first, and keep a little extra for rinsing the brush and cup afterward, especially on dry camps where every liter was carried in.
Keeping the cup and brush clean
The water is only half the story. A brush set on the ground, a cup left uncovered overnight or a dirty cap can undo the effort. Rinse the brush, shake it out, and let it dry in the air rather than sealing it wet in a pouch.
Use a dedicated cup, ideally one you wash with your dishes. If your trip is long or your mouth feels off, such as bleeding, swelling or soreness that does not settle, see a dentist when you are home rather than waiting it out.
Where a supplement might fit, if at all
Water, brushing and flossing come first. Some campers also ask about oral probiotics. As one example, the seller of ProDentim describes it as a chewable oral probiotic and lists three strains, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium lactis BL-04 and Lactobacillus reuteri, with a total of 3.5 billion organisms and no per-strain amounts shown.
Research on oral probiotics is still developing and the evidence is limited or mixed, and none of it replaces brushing. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, taking medicines or managing a medical condition should ask a dentist, doctor or pharmacist before using any supplement.
Questions readers ask
Is it okay to swallow a little toothpaste water?
A small amount is common and usually not a concern, but spit as much as you can. Children and anyone unsure about fluoride amounts should ask a dentist.
Can I use water from a hydration bladder?
Yes, if it was already treated or came from a safe source. Clean the bladder regularly, since residue builds up inside.
What about brushing in freezing weather?
Keep a small amount of water in an insulated bottle or inside your jacket so it does not freeze. Cold water on sensitive teeth can sting, so lukewarm helps.
Do I need to rinse with water after brushing?
Many people simply spit and skip a big rinse so the fluoride stays on the teeth a bit longer. A sip to clear the mouth is fine.
Talk to a professional. Persistent bleeding, pain, swelling, loose teeth or sores that do not heal need a dentist's attention, not a supplement.