Hi I’m Elliott and this is Mental Floss. And today we are here at the YouTube Space
LA. Today, I’m going to answer Tony’s big question, “Why do certain things
taste so bad after having brushed your teeth?”
So, people tend to notice this when they brush their teeth, then drinks orange juice and
the result is uh unpleasant. In fact, according to 2005 study, published in the Journal of
Sensory Studies, toothpaste will have an impact on the taste of orange juice for at least
an hour after brushing one’s teeth. And, today, I’m going to tell you why that is
with the help of two friends, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker. Let’s get started!
Hello there science friends, Beaker and I are eager to discuss this topic. [Beaker noises]
Yes we brush regularly you see, even though technically we don't have teeth.
It’s actually an agent in the toothpaste that makes various foods and drinks taste
awful after you brush. Isn't that right Bunsen? That's right! Most toothpastes contain either
sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate. Oh isn't that fun to say Beakey?
Like soap, these are surfactants -- meaning they lower surface tension. And they’re
responsible for the foaminess of toothpaste.
Anyway sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate actually affect taste buds. They decrease
our capacity to taste sweeter flavors by suppressing the taste bud receptors that detect those
types of flavors. They also break down phospholipids on our tongue, which makes bitter tastes more
detectable.
Demonstrate, Beaker!
Ok so that was an orange rather than orange juice, but you get the point.
This is done in a way similar to how dish detergent can break down oils on dishes -- fatty
(Fatty!) membranes that surround the cells in our mouths get temporarily disturbed by
the surfactant. So, whatever you eat or drink after brushing will, ya know, taste more bitter
and less sweet than usual.
Thanks for watching Mental Floss on YouTube, which is made with the help of all these nice
people. And thank you to Bunsen and Beaker for helping me out today. If you have a Big
Question of your own that you’d like answered, leave it below in comments. And we'll see
you next week!
I have a big question! Yeah? Do you have anything for male pattern baldness? Oo not on me. Hmm.