I have some time off right now, and I’m trying to capitalize on it by doing cool things I would not usually have time to do. This week, that means visiting my best friend in Denver, where I’ve been exploring the city, eating lovely meals, and taking myself on long hikes through the snow (Yes! Snow! In September! I wasn’t expecting that either!)
Traveling to Denver involves packing. I am usually an exemplary packer (I can do a full week out of a tiny check-on duffel bag NO PROBLEM) but I have an embarrassing blind spot when it comes to packing: I often forget a toothbrush.
I know. Gross.
But see, I always pack the night before, but I leave out my toothbrush so I can use it in the morning. And then, in the hurry of getting to the airport, I forget to stick it in my bag.
I arrived in Denver on Sunday after an inhumanely early morning flight, wanting nothing more than to shower and brush my teeth before we hit the town for the day. I got to my friend’s house, showered, and began rooting around in my bag for my toothbrush when I realized…I didn’t bring it.
So a trip to Walgreens was in order. I dashed into the store, grabbed the cheapest toothbrush I saw, and was about to make my way to the checkout when something caught my eye:
This is a Colgate Wisp, a ”mini toothbrush” that doesn’t require water and can be used on the go. It has three main features: a mini brush head, a bead of breath-freshener nestled inside the mini-brush, and a soft pick on the opposite end that you can use to get between teeth.
Given the kind of dire state of my breath at the time, and the fact that we were headed out for the day so I knew I wouldn’t be able to brush with toothpaste and water for at least a few hours, I decided on a whim to try the Wisp.
I unwrapped it (happy surprise: though it comes in a plastic clamshell, a type of packaging that typically makes me want to poke my eyes out, this one was super easy to open) and gave it a whirl. It felt a little weird-the texture of the bristles felt strange, and the handle is way shorter than a normal toothbrush so it took some getting used to how to maneuver it- but I kept at it. And you know what? It did the job about one million percent better than a stick of gum (my previous go-to strategy for breath emergencies). The little flavor bead burst with a nice rush of breath-freshening mint, and the pick thing actually felt like it was getting any food or plaque out from between my teeth. I even used it to brush my tongue.
Did I feel a little strange, brushing my teeth without water in the parking lot? Yes. But my teeth actually felt CLEAN afterward- smooth and fresh. (It’s gross, but you all know what I’m talking about when I say that there’s nothing worse than the rough fuzzy feeling of teeth in need of brushing, and this product totally addressed that.)
The Colgate commercial for the Wisp is absurdly over the top: it features attractive men and women dancing to thumping music in a club, and a woman excusing herself to go Wisp before making out with a hot stranger on the dance floor. I don’t really see that particular use of this product in my future. But for an emergency like mine, or if you’re traveling on a long flight and want a way to brush your teeth without stashing a damp brush in your purse, or for keeping in your desk for particularly garlic-filled lunches, I’d say its an excellent buy.
Colgate Wisp, $2.39 for 4, at drugstores (in the oral care aisle).
Swistle
OMG, I am totally buying this. I am CONSTANTLY needing to brush the Bloody Mary flavor out of my mouth before making out with hottties.
Well, or forgetting to brush my teeth in the morning and then having coffee and then getting halfway to Target before realizing this was a bad combination. Whatever. I guess that wouldn’t make such a Hott Commercial.
September 23rd, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
Bridget
These sound perfect for leaving in the car for those times when I can’t go straight home and have errands to run or people to meet. Gum and mints usually only temporarily do the trick.
September 24th, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
Alice
dude, i should probably buy STOCK in these things. the amount of times i try to freshen ye olde breath with gum is downright embarassing. win! i’m totally buying these.
September 25th, 2009 @ 11:09 am