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Isabella Bannerman's avatar

The refill store near me sells toothpaste tablets. You put them in your mouth, bite down, and then start brushing with a wet toothbrush. The idea is to reduce plastic use and packaging, and the additives in some toothpastes. I will let you know what I think once I try them.

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Cool! Thanks Isabella and thanks for the great illustration.

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Mari Gold's avatar

IF Sugary, weird, flavored toothpaste included xylitol - I would be more likely to support that concept

But children need less sugar in their lives for dental and long term health purposes …..so many are hooked on sugar like a drug, and they will be diabetic when they get to 35 40 45 years old. A few will see life themselves when they become adults how many of the sugar addicted people today have diabetes, drink more energy drinks, and then go on Monjaro or Ozempic GLPs for the pill that makes losing weight fast And with prolonged use, very dangerous.

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Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

What I thought was going to be a gentle stroll through the grocery aisle has turned into quite the cultural screed against our consumer excess. At least Lucky Charms toothpaste encourages a habit that is good for us!

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Wow. They must be novelties.

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Jim Nolan's avatar

If it gets kids to brush…

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Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

I will be posting my consumer cultural spiral essay inspired by your essay on Thursday. Thank you for the inspiration!

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Can’t wait to read it!

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Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

If you need inspiration consider this announcement from Campbell’s Soup and Pabst Blue Ribbon about beer-infused soups. The article also mentions “soup drops” that Progresso introduced last winter - cough drop-like nuggets that taste like chicken noodle soup. They sold out. I don’t get it. I want my soup in a bowl and my beer in a bottle or can, not in the same container.

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/money/food/2025/08/18/campbells-soup-pabst-blue-ribbon-beer-taste/85676064007/

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Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

You mean you've never tried wearing Crocs or eating one? Krispy Kreme and Crocs have teamed up to make donut-themed Crocs but as far as I know they're not offering donuts that look like Crocs.

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Never tried wearing them but I know lotsa people love them.

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Rhonda George-Denniston's avatar

I love the crocs

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Okay, that's it, I need a pair.

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Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

Your essay has inspired me to write a food-novelty roundup, starting with Crocs and Krispy Kreme donut shoes.

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Awesome Polly! I have never tried Crocs but I’d like to.

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Roz Warren's avatar

Life just gets weirder and weirder.

I'm sticking with Crest, thanks.

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Ditto.

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kittynana's avatar

And now I know what to put in Christmas stockings this year!!!

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Jim Nolan's avatar

What a great idea!

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kittynana's avatar

Great! And cruel. :D

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Candy Kennedy's avatar

Ugh, the flavors sound horrid to me, but then, my grandson would probably brush more!

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Yes, I wonder if they are mostly for kids. I believe Walmart sells them, believe it or not, so there must be a market. I used to love the super minty ones, like Aim.

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Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

We need to stop. The typical grocery store carries over 30,000 food products. We could do this the rest of the year!

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Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

If Hismile is ever looking to get into mouthwashes they would have a lot of options there - flavors like Pepsi, Coke, Orange Crush, Mountain Dew, etc.

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Love it! I would try ginger ale.

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Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

I bet if you look hard enough you could find a company that is already doing this. And probably one making flaming hot Cheetos toothpaste.

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Flaming Hot Cheetos flavor would sell out overnight.

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Michael Blankenship's avatar

I would feel the need to brush after brushing with any of those.

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Jim Nolan's avatar

Ha! They would not leave you feeling minty fresh.

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