Inspecting the Seal and Packaging

Start with the outside of the parcel

Before you cut any tape, look at the carton as it was delivered. Note crushed corners, wet patches, torn labels or signs that it has been opened and resealed. A scuffed box is not proof of a problem, but it is worth a quick photograph, because it may help later if the contents turn out to be affected.

Keep the outer carton and any shipping label until you have finished your checks. People often bin these first, then find they need the sender details or the tracking reference when something does not look right.

What to look for on the bottle

The seller describes ProDentim as a chewable oral probiotic. Whatever form the contents take, the container itself should look intact. Check that the cap closes properly, that any tamper seal under it is whole, and that the printing is clear rather than smudged or peeling.

If the seal is broken, missing, or looks as though it has been lifted and pressed back, treat that as a reason to stop. Contents that look unusually damp, crumbled or discoloured also deserve a pause. We would not open and sample anything while unsure.

• Outer carton: dents, moisture, signs of reopening
• Cap: fits snugly and turns normally
• Seal: unbroken and not re-stuck
• Label: legible, straight and firmly attached
• Contents: dry, intact, with no unusual smell

Is a missing seal always a problem?

Not every product uses the same kind of seal, and the seller's pages do not say exactly which type to expect. That gap is worth noting rather than guessing about. A missing inner seal is a question for the seller, not a conclusion.

Ask in writing whether the bottle is supposed to have one. A clear answer, kept with your order records, is more useful than a hunch.

Photograph first, then decide

If anything looks off, take clear, dated photographs of the carton, the bottle from several angles, and the label before moving anything. Include the packing slip in at least one shot so the order is easy to identify.

Then pause. Using a product you have doubts about gives you nothing to gain and makes a later conversation harder. Contacting the seller with photographs attached is the practical next step, and the later guide on contacting the seller covers how to word that message.

A note on who should check with a professional

Sealed or not, a supplement is a personal decision. The seller says anyone who is pregnant, nursing, taking medication or living with a medical condition should talk to a doctor first. We would add children and people with allergies to that list and suggest asking a dentist, doctor or pharmacist.

A probiotic does not replace brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth once a day or seeing the dental team regularly. Next step: photograph the packaging today, then move on to checking the label.

Questions readers ask