Which dental products are worth buying? We asked Dr Ben Atkins, a dentist in Salford and trustee of the Oral Health Foundation, to assess new offerings. We then rated them.
We asked a trustee of the Oral Health Foundation which dental products are worth buying
CB12 BAD BREATH SPRAY
£5, 15ml; Boots
Rating: 
Claim: Contains zinc acetate, said to neutralise the sulphur-based compounds that cause bad breath.
Expert verdict: This will alleviate temporary bad breath, though persistent bad breath could be a sign of something more serious. I’d use sugar-free gum instead, as it stimulates saliva production, which helps reduce acid erosion.
DENTANURSE FIRST AID KIT FOR TEETH
Dentanurse first aid kit for teeth
£13.99; Boots
Rating: 
Claim: A travel kit that contains tools to dress broken teeth, fix dislodged fillings and repair broken crowns or bridges while you are away and unable to get to your dentist.
Expert verdict: This kit is a great idea. It contains zinc oxide and eugenol paste which you mix to form a putty strong enough to hold a broken tooth or filling in place until you get to your dentist.
It’s always better to see a dentist even if you are abroad, but this is a good ‘first aid’ item for a suitcase.
DR ORGANIC CHARCOAL TOOTHPASTE
£4.99, 100ml; Holland & Barrett
Rating: 
CLAIM: Contains activated charcoal to deeply cleanse and whiten.
EXPERT VERDICT: Activated charcoal binds to bacteria and surface stains, and when it is brushed off it takes the build-up with it — but it could wear away parts of your teeth over time. The fluoride levels are too low to be effective.
REGENERATE ADVANCED ENAMEL SERUM KIT
£29.99, 32ml; Superdrug
Rating:
Claim: Contains calcium silicate and sodium phosphate, said to help rebuild enamel and reverse early signs of tooth erosion. You wear the supplied mouthguard for three minutes a day, three days a month.
The maker says this should be used with its Regenerate Advanced Toothpaste and improves its effectiveness by up to 43 per cent.
Expert verdict: Studies have shown that calcium silicate and sodium phosphate are effective in reducing the early effects of tooth erosion with regular and correct usage.
This product may well help repair your enamel, especially in the early stages of tooth erosion. It is expensive, but worth the money. However, you should ask your dentist if it’s suitable for you.
Philips Sonicare Airfloss Pro
PHILIPS SONICARE AIRFLOSS PRO
£74.99; Argos
Rating: 
Claim: Said to make flossing easier, this device emits powerful bursts of air and water between the teeth to remove build-up and plaque.
Expert verdict: I love this gadget. It is pricey, but it gets the job done quickly and effectively. Devices like this can remove up to 99 per cent of plaque and it is as good at getting into the gaps as floss. You can see the difference when you use this product — it cleans better than regular floss, in half the time.
DENTEK SENSITIVE EXTRA GENTLE FLOSS PICKS
£6, 75 picks; Boots
Rating: 
Claim: One end of each stick is a toothpick while the other has a floss with a fluoride coating. Gently slide floss up and down between teeth and use pick to remove food.
Expert verdict: Cleaning between the teeth is as important as brushing as it targets the 40 per cent of the teeth’s surface that is missed by brushing. This is where 80 per cent of tooth decay begins. These sticks contain fluoride but I don’t think there is enough to make a difference — your money would be better spent on interdental brushes.
WISDOM INTERPROXIMAL SET
£2.20; dentaldirect.co.uk
Rating:
Claim: Small tool with a three-way handle designed to clean between the teeth, around crowns, bridgework and orthodontic appliances.
Expert verdict: A great way to remove food debris and bacteria between teeth and around dental appliances such as bridges.
This will be particularly useful for people with limited mobility as it can help to reach places at the back of the mouth.
However, it’s only useful if used correctly. Improper use can damage the gums, so get advice from your dentist.
GC TOOTH MOUSSE
£11.96, 35ml; dentaldirect.co.uk
Rating:
Claim: This mousse delivers calcium and phosphate into the tooth, which repair and strengthen enamel and dentine (the sensitive lower layer).
Expert verdict: I like this product as it remineralises the tooth and can stop sensitivity by blocking the channels that lead to nerve endings which can become exposed when enamel is worn away.
This product is very effective due to its combination of calcium and phosphate, which are scientifically proven to rebuild tooth enamel. It is a product that dentists use.