DR BRONNER'S
140g, £8.74, amazon.co.uk
Proof? sadly, there’s no evidence coconut oil is helpful in toothpaste such as this
CLAIM: Made with cinnamon oil and coconut oil — said to clean teeth and freshen breath — plus baking soda to whiten teeth.
EXPERT VERDICT: This might help kill some harmful bacteria in the mouth: a laboratory study in New Zealand showed cinnamon oil can kill Streptococcus mutans, which causes tooth decay, and Lactobacillus plantarum, which can cause gum disease.
Meanwhile, baking soda is a mild abrasive, which will help to clean teeth without damaging them. But there’s no evidence coconut oil is helpful in toothpaste.
Crucially, though, none of these will work as well as fluoride, which is missing here. In low concentrations, fluoride is proven to strengthen the enamel surface on teeth, making them more resistant to decay. 5/10
REGENERATE FOAMING
50ml, £10, boots.com
Top tip: Use mouthwash only after eating rather than after brushing, so you don’t wash away the protective fluoride from toothpaste
CLAIM: Proven to reverse erosion caused by acid from food and drink. This mouthwash contains sodium fluoride and sodium phosphate, which help to restore enamel. Use after brushing and after eating snacks.
EXPERT VERDICT: There is some evidence the two active ingredients in this strengthen enamel and dentine (the delicate layer inside a tooth). However, most of it comes from their use in toothpaste — not mouthwash — where they stay on the teeth for longer.
Actually, I’d recommend using mouthwash only after eating rather than after brushing, so you don’t wash away the protective fluoride from your toothpaste.
Rinsing after eating clears the mouth of food debris — which causes bad breath — and dilutes the damaging effect of acids in food, particularly if the mouthwash contains fluoride, like this product does. 7/10
JML DENTAPIC SONIC
£19.99, wilko.com
Don't! You shouldn’t do dentistry on yourself — it’s a job for an expert with the correct tools
CLAIM: This battery-operated gadget apparently vibrates 3,000 times per minute to dislodge plaque and remove stains. Used alongside brushing, it comes with a tip for scaling, a tip for flossing and an LED light and mirror. The maker says it’s safe to use on orthodontics, crowns and veneers.
EXPERT VERDICT: You shouldn’t do dentistry on yourself — it’s a job for an expert with the correct tools. To say it is safe to use on crowns, veneers and orthodontics is a big claim — and not one I’d want to put to the test.
The type of ultrasonic scaler a hygienist uses vibrates 18,000 to 50,000 times per second — a lot faster than this. At best, this is probably not powerful enough to remove much in the way of plaque and stains. At worst, it could harm your teeth and gums. 0/10
BELLA BRIGHTON CHARCOAL POWDER
30g, £11.33, amazon.co.uk
Truth: Research has found hyaluronic acid helps with the healing process in the mouth, including with ulcers and inflamed gums
CLAIM: A powder with four ingredients: hyaluronic acid for its gum-healing properties; coenzyme Q10 to reduce the risk of gum disease; MSM, a form of sulphur with anti-inflammatory effects; and activated charcoal to remove plaque and stains. Dip a wet toothbrush in it, then brush for two minutes.
EXPERT VERDICT: Research has found hyaluronic acid helps with the healing process in the mouth, including with ulcers and inflamed gums. Coenzyme Q10 may improve gum health by reducing inflammation, but the evidence isn’t conclusive.
Meanwhile, MSM is thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect — but there are no studies to show beneficial effects on teeth or gums. And a review in the Journal of the American Dental Association found no good evidence that charcoal can reduce teeth stains or fight plaque. 4/10
WHITE TEETH BOX CHARCOAL BAMBOO FLOSS
30 metres, £4.95, thewhiteteethbox.com
Fad? The charcoal adds nothing to the oral health benefits of this floss, as there is no evidence that it’s
