U of T Oral Health Startup Launches Dental ‘Smart’ Gum
- ByStartupStory | December 5, 2025
Toothpod Chewables Deliver On-The-Go Cleaning Without Brush Or Paste
University of Toronto startup Toothpod has officially launched its innovative “dental smart gum”—chewable tablets that clean teeth, fight plaque, and promote oral health when a toothbrush isn’t available—gaining coverage in The Globe and Mail and BetaKit. Co-founded by U of T health studies alumna Vishar Yaghoubian (CEO) and PhD candidate Brian Webb (CTO), the product targets the 2 billion people worldwide with untreated tooth decay by providing convenient, effective oral care for travel, work, camping, or Invisalign users.
Anti-Microbial, Remineralizing Chewables
Each Toothpod combines hydroxyapatite (remineralizes enamel), magnolia extract (reduces harmful bacteria), resveratrol (anti-inflammatory), and xylitol (plaque fighter) in a peppermint-cotton candy flavored chewable. Clinical tests show 2x plaque removal vs. regular xylitol gum after 5-10 minutes, boosting “good” bacteria while cutting decay, inflammation, and bad breath culprits. Health Canada classifies it as a natural health product; U.S. sales treat it as a dietary supplement.
Pre-orders filled nearly half of the initial 216,000-unit batch ($29 CAD for 20-pack); production scales to 1 million weekly via U.S. partner. Distribution starts in 400+ U.S. dental clinics (2,400 hygienists) and D2C via TikTok Shop, targeting orthodontics users and underserved communities.
From Pitch Wins To Commercial Launch
Yaghoubian’s 2019 accelerator idea evolved through kitchen experiments into a 2023 formulation. The team won U of T’s Pitch with a Twist, Desjardins Startup Prize (3rd), and H2I FemSTEM, securing $850K funding + $450K grants from investors like ex-AstraZeneca Canada CEO Michael Cloutier and Dragon’s Den’s Michele Romanow.
Ongoing Boston clinical trial (50 participants, 2 weeks) validates claims; provisional patent protects IP. Canadian retail awaits Natural Product Number.
Addressing Access Gaps In Oral Health
Statistics Canada data shows lower-income/uninsured Canadians suffer more oral pain; Toothpod aids daily routines and fills gaps in federal dental plans. Future: NGO/government sales for clean water-scarce areas.
Challenges: scaling supply, retail approval. Strengths: award-winning validation, clinician adoption, viral social proof (11.5K Instagram followers).
Toothpod redefines oral care—portable, natural, effective—proving U of T’s medtech prowess while tackling global hygiene inequities one chew at a time.
Follow Startup Story
Related Posts
