Get your dentist trip in before SHTF

Re-post courtesy of Matthiasj from Kentucky Preppers Network

One thing that's always important is taking care of yourself. Prepping is a mindset that can be used on a daily basis in nearly all your activities. Whether you're just going to the post office or going on a overnight trip, you always want to be prepared. You're body is no exception to this rule. In the uncertain times we live in, who knows if you're job will be there tomorrow, or if the economy will still be standing tomorrow. Never put anything off to tomorrow that you can do today. This includes your teeth.

Just as stocking up on eyeglasses is important, keeping your teeth healthy is equally important. After SHTF you won't be able to rely on a dentist to work on your teeth, so if you have any pending issues you should get them fixed NOW. Everytime I go to the dentist I have them check all my fillings in case they need repair. There are some "field manuals" on how to do emergency dentist work but I would rather avoid having to pull a tooth by fixing what's wrong while you still can.

Along with dentist trips you want to have a good stock of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. Regular maintenance on your teeth will prevent most tooth issues. Our teeth are meant to last a lifetime with little or no maintenance, but floss and brushing will prolong the life of your teeth even more. If you're looking for a fluoride free toothpaste that you can make yourself, check out my post; homemade toothpaste recipe.

Some tooth/mouth problems can start out minor but turn into serious issues. Prevent the minor issues and you will never have any major issues. Another good tip for healthy teeth is STAY AWAY FROM SWEETS. Everytime you eat something sweet your mouth produces an acid that eats away at the enamel of your teeth. This will last up to 30 min. after you've eaten the sweets. If you do eat sweets, try to eat them all at one time of the day. Don't spread out your snack (munch on candy for hours) that will keep that acid in your mouth and do harm to your teeth. Eat all your sweets at one time to keep the acid levels in your mouth to a minimum.