The Tongue Knows”: A Toothpaste Tip for the Visually Impaired

daily challenge. But that first month, it was one messy disaster after another! I went through an entire tube in record time because, every morning, toothpaste seemed to end up everywhere: on my hands, in the sink, on the counter—just not where it belonged.

The problem? I couldn’t see well enough to tell when there was toothpaste on my brush or if I was using the right amount. After a few weeks of frustration, my VIST (Visual Impairment Services Team) coordinator shared a simple yet life-changing tip with me, which I now like to call the “tongue knows” method.

Here’s the trick: start with your own tube of toothpaste (no sharing). Place the opening near your lips and give it a gentle squeeze. As soon as you feel a small When I first lost my vision, I didn’t expect putting toothpaste on a toothbrush to become such a amount at the tip of your tongue, you’ll know you’ve got enough. No guesswork, no mess!

It’s been a lifesaver for me, and I hope it might be helpful for others adapting to new challenges with vision loss.