Spinoff story

Ingestible Toothpaste

A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.

About this technology

Overview

Developed by Dr. Ira L. Shannon, dental consultant to Johnson Space Center associates with Oral Disease Research Lab of Virginia Hospital in Houston, TX. Toothpaste is foamless and can be swallowed after use, making it practical for zero-gravity environment of space. Also has applications with certain patients who are bedridden, wheelchair confined or patients with oral facial paralysis whose ability to expectorate is limited. Also useful as a first toothpaste for children. *This product is no longer commercially available.