BAD BREATH

The Breath Co Mandarin Mint Fresh Breath Lozenges, £9, pack of 72

CLAIM: Clinically proven to stop bad breath. Also prevents dry mouth.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘These will help with dry mouth and temporarily mask bad breath,’ says Dr Ben Atkins, a dentist in Salford and spokesman for the Oral Health Foundation.

‘They could work for longer than a standard mint as they have more ingredients.

‘Persistent bad breath is usually caused by smelly gases released by bacteria that coat your teeth, gums and tongue — or are caught between teeth. Bacteria on teeth and gums cause gum disease and tooth decay. One warning sign of gum disease is regular bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.

‘If you have persistent bad breath and find you need to use such products a lot, you should get checked out by a dentist.’