Myth: All Brands Are Equal

Why the equal-brands idea feels reasonable

Shelves make products look interchangeable. Same aisle, same bottle shape, same word 'probiotic' in large type. It is easy to assume that if the category is regulated at all, the contents must be roughly alike, and that the only real difference is the logo. Many shoppers also hear that probiotics are 'just bacteria,' as if bacteria were one ingredient.

They are not. Probiotics are live microorganisms, and what a product contains depends on which organisms, how many, in what form, and how they were handled. Treating the category as one thing hides almost every difference that matters.

Where products genuinely differ

Four things vary most. First is strain identity, since results for one strain do not transfer to another product. Second is the amount, and whether it is shown per strain or as a single total. Third is the supporting cast: sweeteners, flavorings, minerals and fibers that change who might react badly. Fourth is the form, such as a chewable, lozenge, gum or powder, which changes how long anything stays in the mouth.

Then there is disclosure. A label that names strains, amounts and allergens lets you do your homework. A label that offers only a blend and a mood gives you nothing to check.

• Named strains versus species only
• Per-strain amounts versus one total
• Full supplement facts panel present or absent
• Allergen and storage information
• Form and how it is meant to be taken

What ProDentim's seller discloses and withholds

The seller names three strains: Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium lactis BL-04 and Lactobacillus reuteri. Only one carries a strain code. The seller gives a total of 3.5 billion organisms but no per-strain amounts, and the unit is not used consistently on the page. Other ingredients named are inulin, malic acid, tricalcium phosphate and peppermint, with no quantities.

The seller also describes natural, non-GMO, gluten-free and non-habit-forming attributes. Those are the seller's labels, and a gluten-free statement is not a certification. None of this makes the product better or worse than another; it tells you how much you can verify before buying.

Reading the page against the bottle

A careful reader will spot some inconsistencies. The seller's pages call the product a chewable tablet, a dissolvable candy and a supplement in different places. The FAQ mentions five strains while the page names three. One cited reference mentions dicalcium phosphate while the ingredient list says tricalcium phosphate.

Because of that, the bottle's own label is the document that counts, not any web page, including this one. If the label and the page disagree, ask the seller in writing, keep the answer, and read the terms before ordering.

A fair way to compare any two products

Set aside ratings and testimonials, which are easy to fabricate or pay for and cannot be checked. Instead, put the labels side by side and ask the same questions of each: which strains, which amounts, what else is inside, what is the form, and what does the seller say about who should check first.

Then add the question the label cannot answer: does this fit your mouth and health? That is a question for your dentist, doctor or pharmacist, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, on medication, managing a condition, or have allergies. Bring the bottle.

Questions readers ask