Sure, we all know that we are supposed  to brush our teeth after every meal, but that is not always possible. How on earth do dentists expect us to have a toothbrush and toothpaste handy every time we eat? Do they really brush their teeth that much? The answer to both of those questions is a surprising NO.

While it is highly recommended that we try to brush each time we eat, it is not always a plausible scenario. However, there are a few things that we can do to prevent decay when brushing is not an option.

Rinse Out Your Mouth

Sounds simple enough, right? After we finish eating a meal, our mouths are left with remnants of the foods. Sugary and acidic foods are the most harmful to tooth enamel, so they should be rinsed off of the surface of the teeth right away. A quick solution is to take a big sip of tap water and swish it around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds. This will help reduce the amount of acid left on your teeth.

Chew Gum

We have all seen television ads for a popular brand of gum that tell us to chew gum whenever you can't brush - turns out they were right. Chewing sugar-free gum can help reduce the risk of cavities. How does it work? Whenever you chew gum, the amount of saliva in your mouth increases. Your own spit actually rinses away cavity causing bacteria off of your teeth. And, you will always have fresh breath!

Kiss Your Sweetie

Yes, you read that right. Kissing your significant other may help prevent tooth decay. It works just like the gum method - when you kiss, you produce more saliva. Gives you a great reason to cuddle up with your honey after a big meal. Worried about bad breath? If you both eat similar meals, then you won't notice undesired breath in your partner. In other words, if you want garlic and onions, make sure they eat some too!

Next time you don't have a toothbrush handy, try out one of these three simple tricks to prevent tooth decay.