You’ve learned about what you can do when you forget your toothbrush, but what about if you forget your toothpaste? Of course, you can always buy a new tube, but what about if you’re camping or the stores have all closed for the day? Here are some creative and helpful tips to help you out if you’ve forgotten your toothpaste at home.

Ask The Front Desk: Like with toothbrushes, toothpaste isn’t readily available to everyone who checks in at a hotel, but if you ask the right person, they can maybe direct you to where you can find some, or give you a complimentary tube if they have some on hand.

Use Mouthwash: Mouthwash can be great on its own for killing bacteria and freshing the mouth, but it can also be used as a substitute toothpaste. Not daily, of course, but in the case of forgotten toothpaste, it’ll do the trick. Dip your toothbrush into the mouthwash and brush as normal. Be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly afterwards.

Use Baking Soda: This method is particularly handy for getting food particles and plaque out from between the teeth. This is because baking soda is an abrasive material, making it a perfect substitute toothpaste. To do so, mix with a few drops of water until you have a gritty paste before applying to the teeth and scrubbing. It might not taste as great as your minty toothpaste back home, but it will get the job done and leave your mouth feeling clean.

Just Use a Wet Toothbrush: If all else fails, using a wet toothbrush is better than not brushing at all. The moist bristles, combined with proper brushing techniques will remove food and plaque from the teeth. Your mouth won’t feel as fresh by skipping on the toothpaste, but it’s nothing that a piece of chewing gum can’t remedy.