Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#31

Post by altern8 » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:33 PM UTC

I like the idea, and the logo (not the video, though).

The problem with your product IMHO is that you need two toothpaste, because besides in the morning you also brush your teeth before going to bed, but you definitely don't want caffeine before you go to bed.

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#32

Post by nappy » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:33 PM UTC

huangc10 wrote: post #28

I have to be honest, this is a cool idea but after reading some of the comments, it makes sense that more information and health topics/concerns need to be addressed. Although overall, I would much rather just have a cup of coffee (I'm a coffee lover). Maybe market to an industry where it is necessary for someone to be caffeinated right away after waking up (think time sensitive, life / death) and health concerns are…

I love coffee too. Most of the people who have been buying Power Toothpaste and who enjoy coffee have been reporting that they still have their coffee, but tend to do so later in the morning.

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#33

Post by lake99 » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:33 PM UTC

DonHopkins wrote: post #12

How about some alcohol or THC toothpaste to wind down at the end of the day, too? ;)

Yeah, brushing teeth at night, with some caffeine may not be a bright idea.

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#34

Post by knicholes » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:34 PM UTC

Broken_Hippo wrote: post #22

Raphmedia wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The popular opinion is that we already get enough fluoride in our water.

I don't think my water has fluoride, though.

https://nccd.cdc.gov/DOH_MWF/Default/Default.aspx will tell you whether or not your water source should/shouldn't be flouridated if you live in the US.

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#35

Post by woolinsilver » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:35 PM UTC

Only available in the US.

95% of people do not live in the US. I do not live in the US. No-one I know lives in the US.

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#36

Post by jasonkostempski » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:36 PM UTC

friendlygrammar wrote: post #27

eps wrote: post #23

Erm... what was there to actually invent ?

putting two things together to create a new thing is an invention believe it or not

You got toothpaste in my coffee! You got coffee in my toothpaste! What!? barf

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#37

Post by nappy » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:36 PM UTC

eps wrote: post #23

Erm... what was there to actually invent ?

Caffeine is a really difficult flavor to deal with. It's bitter and metallic. It's masked well with competitive bitter and astringent drinks (coffee and tea) but is more difficult otherwise. Energy drinks taste kind of weird because of the caffeine. I learned a lot about flavor chemistry as I developed the toothpaste and went through somewhere over 60 iterations before I settled on this formula. There were also some process improvements we refined along the way to get it to improve smoothness and texture.

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#38

Post by nappy » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:36 PM UTC

eps wrote: post #23

Erm... what was there to actually invent ?

Caffeine is a really difficult flavor to deal with. It's bitter and metallic. It's masked well with competitive bitter and astringent drinks (coffee and tea) but is more difficult otherwise. Energy drinks taste kind of weird because of the caffeine. I learned a lot about flavor chemistry as I developed the toothpaste and went through somewhere over 60 iterations before I settled on this formula. There were also some process improvements we refined along the way to get it to improve smoothness and texture.

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#39

Post by nikolay » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:36 PM UTC

There's no list of ingredients. Anyway, most toothpaste today has glycerin in it, which prevents tooth remineralization. Most toothpaste today also has carrageenan, which also is questionable - including by the WHO. SLS is not without issues either. Most non-natural toothpaste has aluminum. Most natural toothpaste is too abrasive. In general, I wasn't able to find a balanced product all these years - and it's a shame!

Re: Show HN: I invented a caffeinated toothpaste

#40

Post by altern8 » Thu, Sep 15, 2016, 5:37 PM UTC

nappy wrote: post #4

I invented the world’s first caffeinated toothpaste - get a rush while you brush! I’m a serial entrepreneur, YCW16. Though it is a simple idea, I went through at least 60 formula iterations before I got the flavor chemistry right. This toothpaste seriously works. I actually had to lower the caffeine content from the original version. Our toothpaste gives you a quick caffeine boost that works as soon as you start brus…

I posted another comment, but since you also brush your teeth at night, if I bought your product I'd have to use that in the morning and another brand before going to bed.

Did you think about this? People might not want to have 2. I was going to buy it but then I thought about this.