5 ms·

I wrote a longer comment about this below, but the essential reason is: if I made fluoride a product requirement, I wouldn't have gotten to a release. It would

by nappy 10y ago

I wrote a longer comment about this below, but the essential reason is: if I made fluoride a product requirement, I wouldn't have gotten to a release. It would have added a huge expense. Additionally, fluoride is much more important for children. As enamel is forming, fluoride interacts with it and strengthens it. Adults need far less (threshold dose effect) and for most people in the United States, they likely get enough in the water. I also figure this is a toothpaste you'll use in the morning, and another fluoridated one in the evening. You can also use a fluoridated mouthwash. At some point, I would love to introduce a fluoridated version.

BorgHunter 10y ago
This is fair. I do think this should be a bit more prominent, though, because when I hear "toothpaste", I tend to assume it is fluoridated. Unfluoridated toothpaste is unusual enough that it should probably be called out right on the front of the box/tube, whereas right now it's kind of buried in a FAQ. Good job getting this off the ground, and best of luck with it.
- nappy 10y ago
  Much appreciated! Based on this comment and others from HN, I think I'm going to add a whole section for Formulation/Ingredients, show the full label, talk about the process etc. Thank you again!
PieterH 10y ago
If your formula is simple enough, listing it on the box might be good marketing. I really like the idea of caffeinated toothpaste. It is simple & brilliant and I hope you succeed with this.
koytch 10y ago
As a guy living in Europe, it seems more logical to drink unfluoridated water and use fluoridated toothpaste, but that's America over there… Cool idea, for sure.
- jamiepenney 10y ago
  For children, it works better in the water as you're trying to get flouride to the developing adult teeth rather than their baby teeth.
  - koytch 10y ago
    You may be right, but as I get it, the entire American population gets to drink fluoridated tap water, not only children. A stinking Commie plot, if I ever saw one.
justinlardinois 10y ago
That's clever of you to spin the lack of fluoride as a benefit. It'll satisfy people who are paranoid about fluoride, and people who aren't probably don't care.
- msane 10y ago
  Yay marketing! I feel inspired to remove expensive healthy ingredients from other products.
  - bjterry 10y ago
    Healthy ingredients have been removed from most foods, and for very similar reasons. It's not a product requirement for a burger bun to include wheat germ, for example, so it is removed to reduce cost and balance with other product requirements (eg lower cost, improved flavor, shelf stability).
  - justinlardinois 10y ago
    If the alternative is not having a profit margin, why not?
    - msane 10y ago
      Ethics?
msane 10y ago
If that's the case you shouldn't misrepresent why you don't have fluoride
ryandrake 10y ago
As someone with a kid, who lives in one of those towns where the crazies managed to prevent water fluoridation, I'm always looking at toothpastes to make sure they contain it.
frozenport 10y ago
Could you do something clever like mix this isn't regular toothpaste? Perhaps by having a special dual tube, toothpaste holder?

by nappy 10y ago

BorgHunter 10y ago

This is fair. I do think this should be a bit more prominent, though, because when I hear "toothpaste", I tend to assume it is fluoridated. Unfluoridated toothpaste is unusual enough that it should probably be called out right on the front of the box/tube, whereas right now it's kind of buried in a FAQ. Good job getting this off the ground, and best of luck with it.

nappy 10y ago
Much appreciated! Based on this comment and others from HN, I think I'm going to add a whole section for Formulation/Ingredients, show the full label, talk about the process etc. Thank you again!

PieterH 10y ago

If your formula is simple enough, listing it on the box might be good marketing. I really like the idea of caffeinated toothpaste. It is simple & brilliant and I hope you succeed with this.

koytch 10y ago

As a guy living in Europe, it seems more logical to drink unfluoridated water and use fluoridated toothpaste, but that's America over there… Cool idea, for sure.

jamiepenney 10y ago
For children, it works better in the water as you're trying to get flouride to the developing adult teeth rather than their baby teeth.
- koytch 10y ago
  You may be right, but as I get it, the entire American population gets to drink fluoridated tap water, not only children. A stinking Commie plot, if I ever saw one.

justinlardinois 10y ago

That's clever of you to spin the lack of fluoride as a benefit. It'll satisfy people who are paranoid about fluoride, and people who aren't probably don't care.

msane 10y ago
Yay marketing! I feel inspired to remove expensive healthy ingredients from other products.
- bjterry 10y ago
  Healthy ingredients have been removed from most foods, and for very similar reasons. It's not a product requirement for a burger bun to include wheat germ, for example, so it is removed to reduce cost and balance with other product requirements (eg lower cost, improved flavor, shelf stability).
- justinlardinois 10y ago
  If the alternative is not having a profit margin, why not?
  - msane 10y ago
    Ethics?

msane 10y ago

If that's the case you shouldn't misrepresent why you don't have fluoride

ryandrake 10y ago

As someone with a kid, who lives in one of those towns where the crazies managed to prevent water fluoridation, I'm always looking at toothpastes to make sure they contain it.

frozenport 10y ago

Could you do something clever like mix this isn't regular toothpaste? Perhaps by having a special dual tube, toothpaste holder?