Boy: Orange juice tastes funny right after you brush your teeth. "Never do two healthy things in a row" is one takeaway. Frazz: "Don't waste a good tooth-brushing by pouring sugar on it" is another.
It most likely (according to latest research) happens because all toothpastes use a foaming agent called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which has two effects on the taste receptors in one’s mouth: it inhibit the sweetness receptors and, by screwing with pospholipids on one’s tongue that act as inhibitors to one’s bitterness receptors, enhances bitter tastes.
So when one drinks orange juice after brushing, you don’t taste the sweet, AND you taste more of the bitter.
I’ve noticed that Jeff often screws up when trying to write for characters that are supposed to be quite smart. To do so, one has to actually be as smart as one imagines one’s characters to be, or do a least a little bit of research. It took me very little time to find out the above. IOW, Jeff is not as smart as he thinks he is and too often too lazy to go that little extra distance mentally.
This is a comic strip, and is not supposed to be scientifically correct. Frazz’s comment here is one a typical adult might give…I know I would not necessarily go look up WHY the orange juice tastes bad after brushing teeth if my child were to make this comment. And Frazz’s comment is still valid: why brush your teeth, then pour a sugary liquid all over them?
This is one of the strips where you have all you need in the strip, you don’t need to wonder where the inference came from, I take the kid’s remark as is, although I have been known to work out and then have a salad for lunch. Frazz (Jef) makes a lot of sense too, why spend the time brushing your teeth if you are going to soak them in acids and sugars. For today anyway, it is what it is.
Don’t judge bigpuma too harshly. Maybe his real name is inigo montoya, Jeff Mallet killed his father, and if he ever meets him, Jeff Mallet should prepare to die
Bilan about 9 years ago
Does that apply for gin as well?
RoboZsaZsa about 9 years ago
Gin is a very effective mouthwash. Kills the germs. And leaves your breath smelling like a juniper bush.
Olddog1 about 9 years ago
The sugar is also in the toothpaste. I don’t suppose that the acid in the juice has anything to do with it? If you’re going to preach…..
CanuckAmuck about 9 years ago
It most likely (according to latest research) happens because all toothpastes use a foaming agent called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which has two effects on the taste receptors in one’s mouth: it inhibit the sweetness receptors and, by screwing with pospholipids on one’s tongue that act as inhibitors to one’s bitterness receptors, enhances bitter tastes.
So when one drinks orange juice after brushing, you don’t taste the sweet, AND you taste more of the bitter.
I’ve noticed that Jeff often screws up when trying to write for characters that are supposed to be quite smart. To do so, one has to actually be as smart as one imagines one’s characters to be, or do a least a little bit of research. It took me very little time to find out the above. IOW, Jeff is not as smart as he thinks he is and too often too lazy to go that little extra distance mentally.
DrDavy2000 about 9 years ago
@AlbertaNerdWhen you comment on how smart someone is—or is not—you should spell his name correctly.
toahero about 9 years ago
I’ve heard that that actually is a chemical reaction that causes that.
Totalloser Premium Member about 9 years ago
That is why I always brush my teeth after I eat breakfast
hamcg about 9 years ago
This is a comic strip, and is not supposed to be scientifically correct. Frazz’s comment here is one a typical adult might give…I know I would not necessarily go look up WHY the orange juice tastes bad after brushing teeth if my child were to make this comment. And Frazz’s comment is still valid: why brush your teeth, then pour a sugary liquid all over them?
luvdafuneez about 9 years ago
Brush your teeth with Baking Soda and see if that makes a difference (saves a LOT of $, and toothpaste is nasty)…
Jeff0811 about 9 years ago
This is one of the strips where you have all you need in the strip, you don’t need to wonder where the inference came from, I take the kid’s remark as is, although I have been known to work out and then have a salad for lunch. Frazz (Jef) makes a lot of sense too, why spend the time brushing your teeth if you are going to soak them in acids and sugars. For today anyway, it is what it is.
toahero about 9 years ago
Don’t judge bigpuma too harshly. Maybe his real name is inigo montoya, Jeff Mallet killed his father, and if he ever meets him, Jeff Mallet should prepare to die
K M about 9 years ago
Not so much after brushing your teeth, more after using an alcohol-based mouthwash. Switched to non-alcoholic mouthwashes; no more taste problems.
Burgundy2 about 9 years ago
i never understood brushing then eating.