Life Hack!
December 2, 2013 6:25 PM Subscribe
If only toothpaste tubes were made for right-handed people.
posted by unliteral at 6:56 PM on December 2, 2013
posted by unliteral at 6:56 PM on December 2, 2013
I thought the end thing stopped being important when the tubes became plastic... but otherwise, yeah, life is meaningless, do your thing.
posted by pompomtom at 7:00 PM on December 2, 2013
posted by pompomtom at 7:00 PM on December 2, 2013
Oh my god, I feel so hacked in the life.
Except I only buy this kind of toothpaste container because you stand it on its head and all the toothpaste falls out by itself. NO HACKING REQUIRED. Every day I try to fathom why this packaging didn't catch on. People like to torture themselves, I guess.
posted by bleep at 7:03 PM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Except I only buy this kind of toothpaste container because you stand it on its head and all the toothpaste falls out by itself. NO HACKING REQUIRED. Every day I try to fathom why this packaging didn't catch on. People like to torture themselves, I guess.
posted by bleep at 7:03 PM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Am I the only one who almost had an anxiety attack watching the toothpaste get smooshed everywhere?
NOPE. GAH.
I also do this, but it's really annoying that they're now mostly making toothbrushes with rubber grips, and the feeling of scraping that grippy rubber against the tube also sets my teeth on edge. I always keep a stock of mostly plastic handled extra toothbrushes bc they're so hard to find.
posted by nevercalm at 7:11 PM on December 2, 2013
NOPE. GAH.
I also do this, but it's really annoying that they're now mostly making toothbrushes with rubber grips, and the feeling of scraping that grippy rubber against the tube also sets my teeth on edge. I always keep a stock of mostly plastic handled extra toothbrushes bc they're so hard to find.
posted by nevercalm at 7:11 PM on December 2, 2013
Oh wow! a public service message about how to save toothpaste by wasting toothpaste.
And rest 2/3 of video is a stream of consciousness about .... ?
The mathematical doodles videos are good but this one is kinda ...... underwhelming.
posted by TheLittlePrince at 7:22 PM on December 2, 2013
And rest 2/3 of video is a stream of consciousness about .... ?
The mathematical doodles videos are good but this one is kinda ...... underwhelming.
posted by TheLittlePrince at 7:22 PM on December 2, 2013
...sets my teeth on edge.
Best way to get at those tricky angles.
posted by turbid dahlia at 7:24 PM on December 2, 2013 [3 favorites]
Best way to get at those tricky angles.
posted by turbid dahlia at 7:24 PM on December 2, 2013 [3 favorites]
I may never toothpaste again...
posted by greenhornet at 7:34 PM on December 2, 2013
posted by greenhornet at 7:34 PM on December 2, 2013
Why doesn't everyone have a toothpaste smusher?
Not that I would pay $7 for one but 1.50 was worth keeping all my toothpaste together ALWAYS!
posted by Tandem Affinity at 8:22 PM on December 2, 2013
Not that I would pay $7 for one but 1.50 was worth keeping all my toothpaste together ALWAYS!
posted by Tandem Affinity at 8:22 PM on December 2, 2013
Extreme Toothbrushing
My toothbrushing advice: use two toothbrushes, and alternate between them. This way each has an extra day to dry out between uses, which should help prevent things from growing in your toothbrush.
On a whim, I recently decided to try out Theodent toothpaste. It doesn't actually taste like chocolate, but it is mighty tasty. I wonder if it really remineralizes teeth like they claim.
posted by eye of newt at 8:42 PM on December 2, 2013
My toothbrushing advice: use two toothbrushes, and alternate between them. This way each has an extra day to dry out between uses, which should help prevent things from growing in your toothbrush.
On a whim, I recently decided to try out Theodent toothpaste. It doesn't actually taste like chocolate, but it is mighty tasty. I wonder if it really remineralizes teeth like they claim.
posted by eye of newt at 8:42 PM on December 2, 2013
I liked the painting of teeth on the black surface.
posted by The Whelk at 8:44 PM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 8:44 PM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
as for putting toothpaste on the brush, that's what the Valet is for, and it's an electric dear lord do you think my gum health is a joke? Back to the gallows with you
posted by The Whelk at 8:45 PM on December 2, 2013
posted by The Whelk at 8:45 PM on December 2, 2013
You know, after reading about it in some old book of life tips written/collected by some blind guy in the '60s or something, I started to get into the habit of just squeezing the toothpaste out a little and biting it off instead of trying to put it on the toothbrush. Can't understand why that never caught on.
posted by DoctorFedora at 8:49 PM on December 2, 2013
posted by DoctorFedora at 8:49 PM on December 2, 2013
Tooth powder does not have these complications and looks coolly vintage alongside your shaving mug, brush, and Gillette Super Speed from '51.
posted by sonascope at 10:02 PM on December 2, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by sonascope at 10:02 PM on December 2, 2013 [3 favorites]
On the other hand some of us drink a lot of black coffee and red wine and need stronger stuff.
posted by The Whelk at 10:03 PM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 10:03 PM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Actual PSA: brush, and then spit, but don't rinse. this is when you should floss, to carry the toothpaste between your teeth to help prevent cavities there. you're welcome.
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:05 PM on December 2, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:05 PM on December 2, 2013 [7 favorites]
Isn't Theodent what the anti-fluoride people use? Or is that something else?
posted by Justinian at 10:12 PM on December 2, 2013
posted by Justinian at 10:12 PM on December 2, 2013
This video is wrong.
Use most of it as normal. Grasp both ends of the tube and fold the tube over the edge of your counter. The sharper the counter edge the better. Pull away from the nozzle. Store vertically, with the nozzle pointing down.
Now you don't have to risk wiping your toothbrush on your nasty bathroom counter.
posted by cman at 10:41 PM on December 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
Use most of it as normal. Grasp both ends of the tube and fold the tube over the edge of your counter. The sharper the counter edge the better. Pull away from the nozzle. Store vertically, with the nozzle pointing down.
Now you don't have to risk wiping your toothbrush on your nasty bathroom counter.
posted by cman at 10:41 PM on December 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
Isn't Theodent what the anti-fluoride people use? Or is that something else?--Justinian
They use Tom's. Theodent is really expensive, so people with too much money or the curious like me try it.
Otherwise, I use Tom's with Fluoride, because I'm a rebel.
posted by eye of newt at 11:17 PM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
They use Tom's. Theodent is really expensive, so people with too much money or the curious like me try it.
Otherwise, I use Tom's with Fluoride, because I'm a rebel.
posted by eye of newt at 11:17 PM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
I *loved* this video. There's something so terribly liberating about seeing something "wasted" that I would never, ever think to waste. I found it much more entertaining to view it as an art masquerading as a life hack. Vi Hart is pretty damned awesome and I'm glad to see this creative side of her.
posted by funkiwan at 12:53 AM on December 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by funkiwan at 12:53 AM on December 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
All the toothpaste we use here has a big cap that you can stand the tube on. Problem solved.
(Also, when it seems really really empty I cut the tube open with scissors and scrape the last bit out and it's always enough for brushing my teeth. Yay free toothpaste!)
posted by Too-Ticky at 1:29 AM on December 3, 2013
(Also, when it seems really really empty I cut the tube open with scissors and scrape the last bit out and it's always enough for brushing my teeth. Yay free toothpaste!)
posted by Too-Ticky at 1:29 AM on December 3, 2013
I get the feeling that she is entering Miranda July territory and I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
posted by KMB at 1:46 AM on December 3, 2013
posted by KMB at 1:46 AM on December 3, 2013
Toothpaints! Love it.
posted by mannequito at 2:05 AM on December 3, 2013
posted by mannequito at 2:05 AM on December 3, 2013
Why doesn't everyone have a toothpaste smusher?
A few months ago I hosted a couchsurfer from South Korea. When she left, I found one of these on the most recent generation of a long line of abused tubes of toothpaste. I think she saw the state of my toothpaste efficiency and felt compelled to fix it. She never mentioned leaving a toothpaste smusher, and I didn't find it until hours after she left (afternoon departure, nighttime brushing). This has to be one of the most memorable gifts I ever got from a couchsurfer, and one that I keep using every day, so I keep thinking of her.
posted by whatzit at 3:41 AM on December 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
A few months ago I hosted a couchsurfer from South Korea. When she left, I found one of these on the most recent generation of a long line of abused tubes of toothpaste. I think she saw the state of my toothpaste efficiency and felt compelled to fix it. She never mentioned leaving a toothpaste smusher, and I didn't find it until hours after she left (afternoon departure, nighttime brushing). This has to be one of the most memorable gifts I ever got from a couchsurfer, and one that I keep using every day, so I keep thinking of her.
posted by whatzit at 3:41 AM on December 3, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm OK with knowing that I don't use 100 percent of the toothpaste in the tube.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 5:04 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 5:04 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm taking it that I was the only one who thought that this video, with its strong left turn into toothpaste poetry was very much at place adjacent in posting to a David Lynch pug montage? That took Dune from reasonable to adorable, and this took toothpaste from informative to crazy train.
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:37 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:37 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
I extend my hand and invite you to join me in the civilized world. That part totally sounded like some Baldur's Gate NPC's speech clip.
If they do make Baldur's Gate III, there should be a toothpaste shoppe.
posted by ignignokt at 8:03 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
If they do make Baldur's Gate III, there should be a toothpaste shoppe.
posted by ignignokt at 8:03 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
What do you mean, "if"? That's crazy talk. And not just a Shoppe, but a whole toothpaste quest!!
Theodent is really expensive
Well, it is God's toothpaste after all.
posted by sneebler at 9:42 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Theodent is really expensive
Well, it is God's toothpaste after all.
posted by sneebler at 9:42 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
eye of newt: "Extreme Toothbrushing
My toothbrushing advice: use two toothbrushes, and alternate between them. This way each has an extra day to dry out between uses, which should help prevent things from growing in your toothbrush.
On a whim, I recently decided to try out Theodent toothpaste. It doesn't actually taste like chocolate, but it is mighty tasty. I wonder if it really remineralizes teeth like they claim."
Or dip them in your after-brushing cap of mouthwash, which is strongly anti-bacterial, and since it's going straight into your mouth, nothing wasted.
posted by IAmBroom at 10:27 AM on December 3, 2013
My toothbrushing advice: use two toothbrushes, and alternate between them. This way each has an extra day to dry out between uses, which should help prevent things from growing in your toothbrush.
On a whim, I recently decided to try out Theodent toothpaste. It doesn't actually taste like chocolate, but it is mighty tasty. I wonder if it really remineralizes teeth like they claim."
Or dip them in your after-brushing cap of mouthwash, which is strongly anti-bacterial, and since it's going straight into your mouth, nothing wasted.
posted by IAmBroom at 10:27 AM on December 3, 2013
I miss the old tubes with the screw-on cap. It was easy to get every last bit of toothpaste out. The stupid flat-attached-plastic-end ones are really unwieldy to me by comparison. I also hate the following other plastic "squeezable" containers:
* jelly
* body wash/shampoo
It gets hard to get the contents out by the time container is about half full. Hate.
posted by freecellwizard at 11:17 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
* jelly
* body wash/shampoo
It gets hard to get the contents out by the time container is about half full. Hate.
posted by freecellwizard at 11:17 AM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Probably the best toothpaste and most delicious is by Marvis.
posted by turbid dahlia at 1:59 PM on December 3, 2013
posted by turbid dahlia at 1:59 PM on December 3, 2013
"After-brushing cap of mouthwash"?! That stuff is best used BEFORE brushing, in order to loosen up that plaque and render your toothbrush more effective, or something! I dunno. Also, if you want your teeth to feel dentist-clean after you brush, after you spit out your toothpaste and rinse your brush, give your teeth another once-over with your clean brush before you rinse. You'll be running your tongue and maybe teeth over your teeth all morning/evening.
That said, good call on dipping your toothbrush into mouthwash to clean it. Never even occurred to me.
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:18 PM on December 3, 2013
That said, good call on dipping your toothbrush into mouthwash to clean it. Never even occurred to me.
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:18 PM on December 3, 2013
It occasionally occurs to me that my kids will not have the experience of the awful awful metal toothpaste tubes that cracked and leaked even when used with care. Truly, I am living in the future.
posted by jclarkin at 3:19 PM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jclarkin at 3:19 PM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
DoctorFedora: ""After-brushing cap of mouthwash"?! That stuff is best used BEFORE brushing, in order to loosen up that plaque and render your toothbrush more effective, or something! I dunno."
My mouthwash (a fluoride wash, importantly - you are supposed to leave a film of it in your mouth) specifically states it's to be used after brushing. The ADA says (for generic mouthwashes): "It can be done before or after brushing".
posted by IAmBroom at 2:17 PM on December 4, 2013
My mouthwash (a fluoride wash, importantly - you are supposed to leave a film of it in your mouth) specifically states it's to be used after brushing. The ADA says (for generic mouthwashes): "It can be done before or after brushing".
posted by IAmBroom at 2:17 PM on December 4, 2013
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