Could a spray replace your toothbrush?

A MOUTH spray that ‘cleans’ teeth without a brush could literally give your mouth a dental workout.

The spray fights plaque and gum disease, improves breath and whitens teeth. It works by coating enamel with a potent cocktail of 14 agents which dislodge stains while protecting them from bacteria and disease.

Since it cleans teeth without the need for a brush or water, the spray could be used on long journeys or when water is in short supply. It could also prove a valuable aid to those who can’t brush their teeth thoroughly because of disabilities or orthodontic braces.

Unlike other dental sprays which contain mint and act as ‘odour masks’, the Janina Spray Cleanser contains four powerful anti-bacterial agents. Another ingredient called pyrophosphate fights gum disease, while a de-sensitizing substance protects teeth from excess heat and cold.

It also contains the maximum level of flouride and bromaine complex - a patented formula made from papaya and pineapple extracts. This oxidises sulphides, substances that cause bad breath, and whitens stain particles trapped in the enamel.

‘THE object of the spray is to deliver active ingredients to the mouth throughout the day,’ explains Dr Edward Lynch of the Royal School of Dentistry and Medicine, who assessed the ingredients of the spray.

‘This in turn provides what we call a “depot” of substances that help protect teeth over a period of time.’ For maximum effect, the manufacturers recommend shaking the cylinder then squirting three jets into the mouth.

The fluid should then be swished around for 30 seconds. As the aim is to coat the teeth with the spray, the remainder should be swallowed or spat out - not rinsed out with water. But can a spray which claims to do so much meet people’s expectations?

While the spray has not yet been tested in clinical trials, a toothpaste containing exactly the same ingredients has.

Scientists at St Bart’s and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry assessed Janina Ultrawhite toothpaste and found that, when used over six months, it significantly whitened the teeth and reduced bad-breath and dental plaque among patients.

Yet even without the mechanical help of a toothbrush, Dr Newton Johnson, former lecturer at the Royal London Dental School believes the spray can help to clean teeth.

‘I feel it can offer patients a whole package of dental care,‘ he says. ‘In particular, it could help prevent gum disease. The pyrophosphate in Janina prevents the build-up of tartar - the mineralised plaque that forms on the gums and leading to disease.‘

‘It won’t remove tartar that is already there - only a dental hygienist or a dentist can scrape that off - but it will help stop new plaque and also tartar from forming.’

Importantly, he believes it could prove a valuable addition to people’s oral hygiene routine - which he says is often sub-standard. ‘Most people swear they clean their teeth for five minutes a day but if you time them, you find the majority brush for 30 seconds or less. Using this type of spray several times a day could help fight the bacteria and other residues that sloppy brushing leaves behind.’

Kim Porter, 24, a secretary from London, tried the spray for a week and has mixed views.

‘I kept Janina in my bag and used it throughout the day,’ she says. ‘It made my breath feel fresh, as if I’d just brushed my teeth - that feeling would last well over an hour.’

‘I also liked the flavour, which was subtle and not too minty. But I clean my teeth thoroughly anyway so, at £6.95, I’m not sure I’m convinced enough to buy it.’

Dr Mervin Druain, a North London dentist, is also critical. ‘There is a place for this spray as an aid for keeping your teeth clean during the day and to help control bad breath,’ he says.

‘But it won’t cure bad breath or get to the root of the problem because most bad breath is caused by inflammation of the gums and you are going to have to see a dentist or dental hygienist to get that sorted out. If someone is really serious about getting their teeth whitened, they need to see their dentist about it.’

He also warns that such a spray could never replace tooth brushing.

‘Brushing teeth thoroughly twice a day is fundamental to good oral care - nothing could ever replace it.’