How The Mounted Police Maintain Oral Health in Remote Conditions

Policing across Canada’s vast terrain often means long shifts in remote areas, far from access to immediate dental care. At By The Lake Dental, our dentists and dental team are fascinated by how members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) adapt their oral hygiene routines in the field. These insights offer practical lessons for anyone seeking reliable dental care strategies under challenging conditions.

RCMP officers on patrol, especially mounted units, are regularly exposed to extreme weather, wind, dust and long periods without access to running water. These conditions can lead to dry mouth, plaque buildup and increased risk of enamel wear. To manage this, officers often carry compact oral hygiene kits, including travel toothbrushes, high-fluoride toothpaste, floss picks and waterless mouthwash pouches.

Unlike civilians, RCMP members may go days between regular hygiene routines, depending on deployment. This makes consistency before and after shifts even more important. Officers are trained to use toothpaste that does not require rinsing, minimise sugar intake, and stay hydrated whenever possible to support saliva flow, a key protective factor.

In colder provinces or high-altitude terrain, hydration becomes more difficult, increasing the risk of cavities. That is why dental support teams working with the RCMP provide mobile education on adapting brushing techniques, using enamel-strengthening products and protecting oral tissues against cold-induced sensitivity.

Emergency preparedness is also critical. For long patrols or multi-day missions, officers are advised to carry temporary dental repair kits, which include material for filling minor fractures or addressing crown dislodgement until professional care becomes available. While dental emergencies in the field are rare, RCMP protocols emphasise rapid field stabilisation and post-patrol follow-up.

Our dental clinic respects how these field adaptations show the importance of preparation and habit. You may not patrol the tundra on horseback, but limiting sugar, brushing with fluoride twice daily and flossing are universal practices worth adopting.

Interested in building an oral hygiene routine that works anywhere? Contact By The Lake Dental, your favourite dental office in Ajax and Scarborough, and book your appointment today.

Why Choose By The Lake Dental:

✅ +15 years caring for our community’s oral health needs

✅ A Platinum+ Invisalign dental office

✅ Direct billing to benefit provider

✅ Cutting-edge technology

✅ Full service family care

✅ Concierge experience

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Call us today: Ajax 905-428-2111, Highland Creek 416-284-8282.

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