Product Review: Crest Brush Ups

Sometimes I pride myself on being an impulse buyer - I figure it's good for the economy. Being a marketer in my professional life, I can appreciate people who can be convinced into buying something that they didn't know existed the day before. Tonigh, while running myriad errands, I found myself at Giant Foodmarket at 10:30. Having purchased the requisite milk, eggs, water, and ice, I perused the "impulse buy" display. And there I saw them: Crest Brush-Ups.

I kind of like their odd commercials, the Chicago-like broadway homage to dental cleanliness ("Brush Brush Push AHHH" or whatever) where a bunch of young people in a subway (or some urban setting) brush their teeth with their fingers in perfectly choreagraphed synchronicity. Seeing the commercials, I decided to make the product an impulse buy at some point, mostly being I admire the spunk of whatever innovative employee at Crest who looked around and said, "Tootbrushes and Toothpaste, that's all we make here! Let's think a little bigger! I bet you people would love to brush their teeth with their fingers!"

It was such an impulsive purchase that I immediately forgot I had bought them, so I was once again pleasantly surprised upon arriving home and unpacking the groceries. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective) I realized that my teeth were indeed in need of some cleaning, as my mouth was feeling a little grungy.

They come in individually wrapped packages. They kind of look like miniature oven mitts, but just the size and shape to fit on one finger, reaching down to the knuckle. I started brushing. Quite delightful. Very minty and sparkly. My teeth feel very clean. The instructions helpfully advise that you can also use them to brush your gums and tongue, so I did. Score! My mouth is a shrine of oral perfection.

Not wanting to be one of the dorks who carry a tootbrush and toothpaste around with me for midday brushes (yes, you know who you are!), this really is a great alternative to just chewing some gum for that just brushed feeling.

Couple of warnings. Do this ALONE, despite the advertisement that would suggest it's a communal activity. The drool factor cannot be overstated. You will drool. Unless you'd like to show this off, find some privacy. Also, the instructions boast about the brush-ups moisture proof consistency, promising that your finger will remain dry. LIES! My finger was as wet as one would expect it to be, considering it was in my mouth while I was drooling.

All in all, this may make the transition from impulse buy to "list buy." Good job, innovative Crest employee!