The solutions for this problem I have found:
Diclaimer: The following methods do little to clean between the teeth.
From eHow:
- Twigs: Can be used only once, but is okay to be used if cleaned for up to a week or a few days.
Licorice, neem, senna, arak, birch, persimmon, eucalyptus and elm are
woody plants a person can use as a toothbrush.
To use a twig as a toothbrush, chew on the end for a while, until it
gets bristly with fibers. This chewing helps clean between your teeth.
You also can use the fibers to clean your gum line and tooth surfaces
in a gentle, circular motion, like with a commercial toothbrush. The
twigs should be used only once, then composted.
But there is a thing called a Miswak:
You do have to use a peeler (or knife if you’re handy that way) to
scrape off about 1/2 inch of the bark away. Then you chew on it until
the fibers separate, and you can get right to work. At first some of
the outer fibers will break off in your mouth – but then you’re pretty
much all set.
This article uses a piece of wood from something called a Peelu Tree, but other branches can be used. Know what is posoinous before you put it into your mouth. But most fruit tree woods are safe and have favourable taste. If you are careful no splinters will reuslt and these can make your feel fresh.
- Charcoal: Possibly reusable, but depends on the size of the charcoal and how messy you got it
Charcoal, a tooth cleaner used in Malaysia, can be taken from a fire
pit after the fire has gone out, ground in a mortar and pestle with
some sage, mint, cinnamon or eucalyptus, and rubbed on the teeth. It
won’t stain your teeth; it rinses off easily.
This is a nice method, but you don't have to ground it as then it is more of a toothpaste. Rinsing your mouth after use is suggested.
- Sage Leaves: Not reusable
In the Ibicencan tradition, sage is rubbed thoroughly on the surfaces
of the teeth for a tooth-scrubbing and refreshing experience. Sage is
a good scrubber; it also is delicious and is a mild antiseptic, too.
It can help heal ulcers in the mouth.
Other leaves, such as Berry leaves work as well. Some herb leaves work, but most mint leaves are to small and fragile. Crushing these mint leaves and rubbing the solution against teeth works a little. You may be able to use smaller leaves, but be careful.
- Fibrous Foods: Not reusable, unless you refrigerate pieces of the fibrous food
Use fibrous foods that require lots of chewing, such as apples, celery
or carrots, to massage gum lines and tooth surfaces. To be effective,
these must be used after every time you eat--even if it’s just a
mid-afternoon snack.
A lot of people use fibrous dog biscuits to clean their dogs teeth instead of biscuits. Mouthwash should be used after this to remove traces of sugar and other destructive factors. These need to be used frequently otherwise the tartar builds up and can't be removed using this method. Fibrous food is quite good for you, as it helps with peristalsis and is essential for weight loss.
Find a clean paper towel and wrap it around your index finger. Try to
find the thickest type of paper towel you can, ideally something that
will hold up to a little friction.
Wet the towel with clean water and put a small amount of toothpaste on
it. Start with just a dab so that your teeth aren’t completely covered
in toothpaste, and you can see what you’re doing. You can add more
toothpaste as you work.
Paper towels aren't the best method, and are similar to washclothes, but if you use the flossing alternatives noted below you should be OK.
Chew sugar free gum twenty minutes after you eat to keep your mouth fresh – it also helps prevent tooth decay! Look for gum recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA); there will be an ADA label on the gum package.
Sugar free gum can clean between gums to a certain degree. And this is a sustainable method.
Cleaning between the teeth:
- Cactus or Pine Needle(from the eHow article)
Cactus or pine needles are good for scraping plaque from in between
your teeth. Similar to a toothpick, these are not a flossing
substitute, but these scrapers are a good complement to an alternative
toothbrush. Other toothpicks used throughout history include porcupine
quills and shards of bone.
Using common thread is good for using as alternative cloos. It fits between your teeth and you have a whole spool. It can be stronger than regular floss to, I use quilting thread. Sinews from plants works to, but a lot can be to big and short to fit between teeth.
Taking mouth wash and swishing it around in your mouth can clean between teeth as well.
