Many if not all oral health products advertise the "clean, fresh feeling" that the consumer's mouth will be left with after usage. The problem here is that a clean fresh feeling has nothing to do with whether or not there are still bacteria or sugar particles left on your teeth. In fact, this feeling sometimes invokes a false positive. You think you are clean, when in fact you have not done anything.

I want some crystals I can sprinkle on top of my toothpaste, or pop in my mouth while mouth-washing, that take some time to dissolve. At the centre of these crystals are flavour compounds that cause an intense minty sensation, signifying the end point. This way, my tastebuds will aid me, not trick me.
-- Cuit_au_Four, Feb 24 2007

Colour-Changing Toothpaste Colour-Changing_20Toothpaste#1201242233
similar idea [xaviergisz, Jan 28 2008]

That is precisely what I am suggesting, in so many, many more words. If you could find a way to incorporate this property into toothpaste, that would also be wonderful, but I think dry crystals is easier to manufacture.
-- Cuit_au_Four, Feb 24 2007


so you could spit the whole thing out and not get to taste anything?
-- po, Feb 24 2007


That would be the indication stating you are not brushing long enough.
-- Cuit_au_Four, Feb 26 2007


shame it couldn't morph from something unpleasant through lamb and mint sauce to mint...
-- po, Feb 26 2007


All too true.
-- DesertFox, Feb 26 2007


Cheese, huh?

Ok, so if I gargle with melted velveeta my breath will be minty fresh?
-- Galbinus_Caeli, Feb 27 2007


This could be done with a mixture of small quantities of menthol and a tasteless easily dissolved other substance. I have to say that the first thing which occurred to me was sugar, which was a bit silly wasn't it? Anyway, maybe catechol would work, and have the advantage of killing oral bacteria, although it would probably taste disgusting.
-- nineteenthly, Jan 28 2008



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