As long as they've been around, Lush have excelled at rethinking everyday bath and body products as novelties. Bubble bath in a solid orb? Body scrub molded into a palm-sized square? A heart-shaped bar of lotion? Check. Now they've transformed the most basic self-care ritual of all with a "solid toothpaste alternative" called Toothy Tabs.
Toothy Tabs are small pellets about the size of aspirin tablets, packaged in a container not unlike an actual aspirin bottle. You pop one "tab" into your mouth, chew it lightly so that it breaks up a bit (don't swallow!), and then start pushing it around with a wet toothbrush. The tab will dissolve into a gently abrasive foam that really does an effective job. (At my last routine check-up, after I'd been using Toothy Tabs for several months, my dentist praised me for keeping my teeth so clean.)
Best of all, as far as most of us are concerned, Toothy Tabs are available in a variety of formulas and flavors. I've tried three so far: Sparkle, Oral Pleasure and Limelight. Sparkle might be my favorite so far. It's flavored with a blend of lemon, grapefruit and black pepper essential oils, and after using it for about a week, I'd forgotten that I was ever accustomed to mint-flavored toothpaste in a tube. Sparkle's mix of citrus and spice is bright and snappy, just right for morning brushing. There's a better chance that my mood, as well as my teeth, will "sparkle" after I open this bottle.
Of course, I also had to try Oral Pleasure when I spotted it on the shelf. Not because of the name, which is surprisingly obvious (and crude) for Lush, but for the ingredients: natural essences of orange, rose and vanilla. That sounds like a perfume I'd wear! Unfortunately, Oral Pleasure isn't quite my thing. The flavor of the "sweet wild orange oil" overwhelms the floral and gourmand notes, and that taste, in combination with the powdery feel of the Toothy Tab melting in my mouth, reminds me of St. Joseph Chewable Aspirin for children.
If you're on the fence about Toothy Tabs, you could ease into the concept with one of the mintier varieties, which are closer to "traditional" toothpaste in flavor if not in format. Limelight tastes as green as it looks, with a fusion of lemon, lime and spearmint oils. The mint is balanced with the tart citrus fruit, so that you'll taste something familiar along with something pleasantly surprising. Overall, it's a zingy blend that leaves my mouth feeling nice and fresh.
I originally tried Toothy Tabs because I was ruling out conventional toothpaste in order to pinpoint an allergy; the allergy turned out to be caused by something else entirely, but now I'm hooked on Toothy Tabs and I'm still using them most days of the week. Like many Lush products, they're practical yet they make me smile. And don't we all need that little extra boost sometimes?
Lush Toothy Tabs in Sparkle, Oral Pleasure and Limelight sell for $9.95 for a 50g bottle. They are available through Lush stores and the Lush website.
You’ve piqued my interest! I’d heard them mentioned but didn’t know what they were. Now it sounds like a fun cheap experiment
Oh good! They are fun… and one bottle lasts for a long time.
Sounds really great and fun..sounds like something I need to try
I have a question: Do you have to use toothpaste after using them or?
Nope! They are a standalone product. I do use toothpaste a couple of times per week, just to get a *little* fluoride…but otherwise, just a Toothy Tab and I’m ready to go! and my mate has assured me that I’m still as “fresh” as ever.
Oh that is great..we don’t have Lush here in Denmark, but I will go check online and order some
I see I posted something twice..I must have been very excited
Hah! That’s understandable.
Sounds really great and fun..sounds like something I need to try
They sound like fun!
Shame we don’t have Lush in Poland
Oh no! Really, still? How sad.
Gotta try Sparkle, sounds right up my alley. For those wanting to avoid SLS and/or fluoride, highly recommend Jason Vanilla Powermint. The vanilla is neither sweet nor cloying.
I do like avoiding the SLS…it feels a bit harsh now on the days when I *do* use toothpaste!
If there’s a way I don’t have to carry my huge tube of toothpaste around I’m all over it! I can’t stand having dirty teeth. Now all I need is a toothbrush that will dry instantly after use.
Yes, and you can even just put a few Tabs into a pillbox, etc. and take them with you — very handy. I keep a few at work in a desk drawer!
My first thought is that these would be great for getting through customs. Nice to have a non-gel alternative. Might be good for backpacking, too, if I ever get adventurous again!
Limelight flavor sounds like when you sip orange juice after brushing with traditional minty toothpaste and…gahh. No thanks. But otherwise, cool. I always love lush stuff.
hah! Well, they also offer Dirty, which is more straight-up mint… and lots of other options.
I’m glad Jessica had such a nice time with these! I tried the one with charcoal (looking around it, looks like that might be Boom! which isn’t reviewed here) and it did an okay job cleaning my teeth but it just WRECKED the skin around my lips. It was particularly bad just inside my mouth and at the corners. Maybe the other flavors are less aggressive?
Oh no! I haven’t had any adverse reactions to any of these…so I’m really sorry to hear that. Perhaps it was the charcoal? I can’t tolerate charcoal in skincare. It’s just too forceful for my facial skin! Unless you have an allergy to the bicarb…ugh.
If you have access to a Lush store, they should be able to give you sample tab or two, to try in store or at home.
I haven’t been to Lush in a while. I may stop by tomorrow. Thanks for the review!
Oh good! Hope you’ll find one you like!
These things are AMAZING! And so practical to pack. And my dentist also mentioned how clean my teeth are. The Boom flavour (pitch black) is my favourite, though – super weird peppery cola-ey taste, takes some time to get used to it, but now I don’t want to use anything else. (Careful though: it creates masses of black foam, which can tend to get everywhere.) When they still made the Breath of God flavour that was my favourite, but Boom is really great. Oral Pleasure – yeah, way to orangey.
I’m sorry I missed the Breath of God tabs! I think sandalwood powder has been used in dental care in India for a long, long time…
Toothy tabs are fun and effective.
Boom and Miles of Smiles are my favorites so far. Although lekkerruik is quite right about Boom’s black foam – it kept getting on things and staining them.
I plan to try Limelight next. I tried Oral Pleasure and unfortunately did not like it all. As for Sparkle, I tried it in the old formula and did not like it either back then. However, after this review, I feel like giving them another chance.
I liked Chou Chou I Love You in the old formula/cardboard box… sad they discontinued that one.
Ah yes – Chou Chou was probably my favorite among old toothy tabs. I think it is highly likely that Lush Kitchen (UK) will soon release them for a limited time, because originally they were part of Valentine’s Day collection.
If you like intense flavors – Boom! is pretty incredible.. charcoal and chili. If you are fearful of buying a full bottle, you can sample them in the shop.
I fell in love with the toothy tabs when they first released Dirty. These days, I am alternating between Boom! and Oral Pleasure. Great for travel.. just be sure to rinse well afterwards.
I haven’t tried Boom! — maybe I’m not quite brave enough! I agree that they’re great for travel. I keep a few in a pillbox in my desk drawer at work, too.