Trib tested: Colgate Wisp

What a refreshing addition the Wisp is to Colgate's line of dental products. The mini-brush, available in peppermint, spearmint and cinnamint flavors, is intended for those wanting that just-brushed feeling while on the go but don't want to carry around a toothbrush, toothpaste and water.

I put the peppermint and spearmint varieties to a test, using both after lunches containing onions. The "freshening bead" on the peppermint Wisp definitely erased all traces of the onions from my wrap.

The next day, I used the spearmint variety after eating a salad. While my mouth felt much fresher after using the Wisp, I still faintly could taste the onions. The pick on the end of the Wisp, however, was perfect for dislodging a piece of broccoli that the mini-brush failed to get.

A downside to the Wisp: They're meant for only a few quick swipes through your mouth. Don't expect to use the Wisp as you would a normal toothbrush. I ended up digging a few bristles out of my mouth after the first time I used it. Still, the Wisp definitely will replace the Oral-B Brush-Ups I always have in my purse.

-- Jill Leonard

There's nothing more disturbing than enjoying a great lunch and then worrying about the gunk that's stuck to your teeth for the rest of the day. That's why I always carry floss. A couple of years ago I even went to far as to stock up on those little fingertip dental cleaners. But alas, they didn't have much in the way of staying power either in terms of oral hygiene or the marketplace.

Here's hoping Wisp fares better on the open market.

First, the little waterless brushes are well-packaged and easy to stick in a small bag. The peppermint-flavored brush not only works well, it has a pleasant, clean after taste. The spearmint left something to be desired in that area, but all in all, the brushes work well without water. That each also has a flossing tip is the icing on the cake.

Price-permitting, I'll be among the fans who carry these great little single-use waterless brushes.

-- Debra Erdley

We've all been there. That moment of creeping awareness that you really, really need to brush now. Maybe it's at the end of an overnight international flight when the only tools at your disposal are a toothbrush and a teeny tube of weird tasting airline-issue toothpaste. Or maybe you're driving to an important meeting and realize that the garlic from lunch is that odd odor in your car.

Fret not. Relief is just a brush away if you use Colgate Wisp -- a tiny purse-size single-use toothbrush with a tiny bead of cleaning gel. A quick scrub with the rubbery plastic bristles and the little dab of gel leaves your teeth feeling slickly clean. The sharp pick at the end of the handle helps dislodge any stray bits that linger.

Both the peppermint and spearmint flavors are appealing. But the skinny brush is tiny and uncomfortable to hold. Still, at a suggested retail price of four gel-loaded brushes for $2.39, its benefits and convenience make it a good item to tuck into a purse, a desk drawer or a carry-on bag.

But tempted though you might be to use it anywhere, wait for someplace where a sink and water are available. Even though no water is required for the cleaning process, you still will want a place to spit when you're done.

-- Alice T. Carter

Additional Information:

Colgate Wisp

The claim: The first disposable mini-toothbrush allows you to have a clean, fresh mouth with no water or rinsing. The Wisp has a freshening bead in the brush head that dissolves in use as the bristles gently remove food and other particles. The soft pick at the end of the handle can get into those hard-to-reach places. Wisp comes in peppermint, spearmint and cinnamint flavors.

Cost: $2.39 for a four-pack; $7.49 for a 16-pack

Where: Drugstores and mass-merchandise retailers