What's new? Retardent toothpaste; Retardex oral rinse; Listerine mouthwash; Pearl Drops tooth whitener; Steradent denture cleaner; Brilliant Tooth Whitening System; Brilliant Whitening Toothpaste; Bioral Gel mouth ulcer treatment; Flossbrush floss and toothpick; Macleans Milk Teeth toothpaste; Orbit for Children chewing gum

* A generic Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.2 per cent Mouthwash has been launched in the UK.

The mouthwash has a GSL licence and is indicated in dental plaque, gingivitis, gingival healing and management of denture stomatitis and thrush.

The mouthwash comes in original and peppermint flavours in 300ml plastic bottles which retail at #3.85.

Manufacturer Adams Healthcare has appointed Blackwell Anaesthetic Supplies as distributor.

Blackwell Anaesthetic Supplies Ltd. Tel: [phone]

* Retardent toothpaste and Retardex oral rinse are being launched to tackle the problem of bad breath.

Many mouthwashes and toothpastes merely mask the volatile sulphur compounds which give rise to bad breath. Supplier Periproducts says the patented formula Closys II, incorporated in Retardex and Retardent, oxidises these sulphur molecules, eliminating bad breath at source.

The oxidant activity has stain removing qualities with low abrasion levels, says Periproducts. Another benefit is that Retardent does not contain the foaming detergent sodium lauryl sulphate which can contribute to mouth ulcer problems. Both the alcohol-free Retardex and Retardent retail at #7.95.

Periproducts. Tel: [phone]

* Janina International is concentrating efforts this spring on promoting its Opale toothpaste and cleansing spray in the pharmacy market. Last week, distributor Paul Murray's sales force started promoting the Janina 'oral care system' to independent pharmacies.

The company is keen to stress that Janina acts to whiten teeth without using harmful abrasives as well as fighting plaque and caries. The products contain 'Bromain Complex' to remove intrinsic and extrinsic staining, papain and bromelain to remove plaque proteins, triclosan and zinc citrate to fight plaque-forming bacteria and oxygen producing agents to enhance enzymatic action. Fluoride is provided by sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate.

Paul Murray plc. Tel: [phone].

* Warner Lambert Consumer Healthcare has launched a #4 million advertising and promotional campaign...