Floss, brush, chew? Toothpod launches a chewable tablet for dental hygiene

Of all the many chronic health problems in the world, Vishar Yaghoubian was surprised to learn that tooth decay is still one of the most common.

“We've had toothbrushes for 5,000 years,” the University of Toronto graduate told BetaKit, referring to early forms of dental tools such as chewing sticks. “This is the most archaic technology of all.”

“Toothbrushes have been around for 5,000 years… They are the most archaic technology of all.”

More than 2 billion people all over the world have untreated progressive caries. The pervasiveness of the problem, despite advances in dentistry, inspired Yaghoubian to try to develop a portable, chewable tablet that anyone could use to clean their teeth, no matter what kind of access they had to dental care. Toothpod has now expanded from offering its products in clinics across the United States to selling online throughout North America.

Yaghoubian studied health and psychology, completed the NEXT Canada accelerator, and last year decided to go all in on Toothpod with her co-founder and CTO Brian Webb. The company is backed by major investors with industry experience, such as former AstraZeneca Canada CEO Michael Cloutier, as well as BioScript Solutions and the League of Innovators fund.

Dental shavings are not a “replacement” for brushing your teeth, Yaghoubian said. The hard tablet should be chewed three times daily after meals to cleanse the mouth, restore acidity levels and leave a fresh taste. Active ingredients include magnolia bark extract (which some studies show has antimicrobial properties and is used in some natural mouthwashes), resveratrol (an antioxidant found in grapes that protects cells from damage), and hydroxyapatite (a calcium mineral used in dentistry).

According to the company, after five to 10 minutes of chewing a Toothpod, bacteria that cause tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath are significantly reduced, while saliva increases the amount of “good” bacteria that ward off harmful bacteria and help break down food.

According to Yaghoubian, Toothpod's flavor is reminiscent of peppermint and cotton candy, with an initial crumbly texture that then develops into a bubblegum-like substance. She says the consistency is better than gum for teens using Invisalign or other orthodontics because it doesn't stick.

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Health Canada considers the tooth pod a natural product and the company is awaiting a natural product number for sale in retail stores. In Canada, products such as fluoride toothpaste and mints are classified as oral care products, while oral supplements are classified as natural health products. In the US, Toothpod is considered a dietary supplement; the company says it has sold more than 20,000 units to dental clinics throughout the United States. It is currently manufactured in the US, but the team plans to open production in Canada.

Toothpod's potential customers include people over the age of five, Yaghoubian said, adding that it is particularly attractive to frequent travelers and people who hike and camp without access to running water. Another unsurprising ideal client: parents who have to convince their teenagers to brush their teeth.

But beyond being a convenient way to freshen up, Toothpod aims to fill gaps in oral health. According to a 2023 Statistics Canada survey, low-income Canadians and those without insurance are more likely to experience pain in the mouth and avoid certain foods. The federal government's dental plan, which aims to cover basic dental care for people without insurance, was introduced last year but faced problems. stay because not all clinics participate.

“If the solutions worked, this would not be the most serious problem facing the Canadian government. [more than] $10 billion over the next five years,” Yaghoubian said.

Toothpod sells a pack of 20 gummies starting at $29 CAD, although the company's website states that the price is reduced from the list price of $85 CAD.

While the tablet is sold to consumers in areas with better dental care, Toothpod plans to sell the product to governments and nonprofits that serve communities with more limited access to both dental care and clean water. To further validate the product, Toothpod is conducting clinical trials in Boston, Yagoubian said.

Image courtesy of Toothpod.