I saw an ad for this product and thought “Great Idea!” Who hasn’t felt the need to brush their teeth after a garlic laced lunch, a pot of strong coffee, or a nap on a plane? A portable, water free, toothbrush!
So I bought a pack of four for about $2.50 to try them out, thinking “Just the thing to have on hand after an everything bagel!” But, like so many good ideas before it, the execution just isn’t quite there.
First, the handle is too short. It’s too flimsy to just brush with two fingers, you have to grasp it like a real tooth brush–so you’re left punching yourself in the face as you try to brush with it’s stubby little plastic stalk.
Second, the little “bead” of freshener/toothpaste/whatever it is, doesn’t taste all that minty fresh. More like a sugar free mint from the bottom of Grandma’s purse, circa 1992. And are you supposed to just brush til it dissolves? It doesn’t foam up at all like toothpaste does, so I was left feeling like it didn’t do much.
Thirdly, the bristles are weak…remind me of the sort of hairbrush that comes with a dollar store Barbie doll. By the time the bead of freshener dissolves, the bristles are smooshed and bent beyond uselessness.
So, for 60 some cents a use, you’re better off just buying a pack of gum. Try again, Colgate.
Tales From The Vinyl Village 
I thought about getting some of those for camping, thinking it would be pretty handy to be able to toss them. Then I wondered how you would hold that itty bitty handle to brush. So I passed. Glad I did!!
Woody…you have to stick your whole fist in your mouth just to get your back teeth!
I saw these on TV and thoughtb”how cool”. Now we know. Thanks VV.
it’s a good idea…they just need to polish it a bit.
I bought these for my husband because he’s a military teacher and spends long periods of time at the podium TALKING and he comes home with a less than minty-fresh odor to his face. He likes them but the price is slightly ridiculous for regular use. It’s the convenience you pay for. Getting a man to haul around a toothbrush and paste is just not likely and the gum doesn’t do quite enough. I’ve found that mocking and making the scrunched up “your breath stinks” helps to remind him to drink more water during the day.
/tmi about my dh
you’ll have to ask him if I was just using them wrong! I was really disappointed!
I would definitely opt for the Scope mouthwash method. At least it tingles & makes you think it’s working.
I hate when things don’t work like they’re supposed to. Especially when some one is getting paid for that thing to work. Grrr…
yeah I wont be dropping my $2.50 on these again.
I thought they looked kind of cool, but then I bought mouthwash instead. I thought about it again later, but am now glad you let me know! Thanks!
I should add that they are marketed as “water free” but what are you supposed to do with the mouthful of sorta-minty spit that you’re left with?
Good products gone wrong? Sounds like a great news segment!
I recieved these in the mail from that consumer group that I belong to. They send me products to review and then I report what I think about them.
I am soooooo glad that I didn’t spend any money on these. They are not worth more than a quarter for the whole pack at most.
Damn, these looked good. Thanks for the warning!
Remember those rubber finger type bruses from the late 90s? You slipped it on like a finger condom and brushed your tonge with it? Now those things worked, perfect to get the last shank breath out of your mouth before you became a skank and went home with a stranger, lol!
not that you are speaking from experience or anything!
omg these toothbrushes are the best thing!! i use them at school and it is so refreshing. makes my mouth feel minty and my teeth soft.
Im not sure teeth are supposed to feel soft… LOL