lighter hygiene

I can't stand toothpaste powder and ran accross these at REI: http://www.archtekinc.com/product_info.php?products_id=52&osCsid=5f47667613a83259cf03ac6a0ae13388

Much better and easier to measure. I tablet per brushing.

you can make toothpaste tablets by leaving drops of toothpaste out to dry. just pop 'em in your mouth and brush and you're good to go.

I have been using a combination of 75% baking soda & 25% salt for tooth powder.

The taste took some getting used to, but after a few times, I am used to it and it is what my family and I use on the trail.

Less than an oz of the stuff will last for a week or too.

I don't know of anything lighter.

I also carry a plastic tooth pick from Walmart (don't know the brand) that has one end that is feathered, which is great for getting between teeth in tight places.

Weight of a bunch of them is less than 0.25 an oz and I only carry one of them with me.

I also carry a disposable plastic flossing tool that has one end that is a tooth pick also, but not as nice as the one described above.

My tooth brush is a standard tooth brush with a cut down handle.

More bristles means more cleaning power, so I carry that….sure there is lighter options.

I have not used soap flakes, but I use soap sparringly in an old BPL dropper bottle. I find that I only need 2 or 3 drops to wash my MSR Titan Mug, few drops for washing my backside after digging a cat hole (Mike Cleland's Book Tip), and I do carry a microfiber wash cloth….few drops of soap in my MSR Kettle add water and I have a wash basin for myself with the wash cloth at night for washing my face, pits, arms, etc….sponge bath before bed.

For carrying some TP, I find that blue paper shop paper towels are strong and I can cut them to the size that I want. The extra strength of the paper towels means I can get maximum wipes per square and they are less likely to tear, rip etc….though, moving to the Mike Cleland's method of washing my backside with soap and water means I really don't need TP and I have found that my bottom is much happier with soap and water vs. TP.

Hope not TMI, but figured that I would tell you all that I know.

And yeah, embrace the hairless monkey that you can be and shave yourself down before a trip. :)

-Tony

Another oral hygiene alternative — compact, light weight, and saves water (if that's an issue):

1. floss (you know you should)
2. brush with toothbrush, then rinse out a bit.
3. use Listerine mint strips – freshens and kills germs (so better than toothpaste without need to rinse out).

If you know your plants, it's really easy to strip a thin fiber off a stalk and use it to floss your teeth. Stuff like yucca has really strong fibers. I have done that quite a few times out in the woods. Just at tip if you find yourself without floss.

Does armpit hair really make you smell worse?

Visit your dentist and ask for a few toothpaste SAMPLE tubes. They are quite small. Take a 1/2 empty one with you.

Cheers

I do as Kier does. I just dry toothpaste in little gobs. Why would anyone bother trying to acclimate to the taste of baking soda and salt, or requesting sample toothpaste from their dentist, or buying commercially made toothpaste powder or toothpaste tablets? You already have toothpaste at home.

I use baking soda for scrubbing the pearlies, even in town (removes coffee stain and acidity too). Add a length of floss to use several times and you've got better oral hygiene than most townies. A plastic toothpick/flosser is also very handy.

I've found the best hygiene for down under is a simple water rinse (soap optional) after every "experience". Of course you want to do this away from common water sources. Drying water smells much better than drying you know what.

Deodorant is mostly unnecessary, unless you sweat a lot. If you have access to water, a daily scrub with baking soda, sand, or a stone can work wonders. You can also pat some baking soda into dry pits for longer deodorizing action.

baking soda on wet pits will stick better. I mix in a touch of corn starch also. Better than any store bought deodorant that I have found. Bob's Red Mill makes an aluminum free BS.