Ever since I was a teenager I have had occasions when I seem to have a run of mouth ulcers. Over the last few years the occurrences have become rarer but I always like to have a little bottle of Anbesol liquid in my first aid box in case the pain starts again.

I have tried so many remedies over the years; mouthwashes never seemed to do the job for me and I hated the taste, I seemed to spread gels all over my mouth but most stayed on my finger and I always ended up chewing the pastilles before they had time to work. A colleague recommended Anbesol Liquid when I was a Saturday Girl which shows how many years I have been trusting this little golden bottle.

Anbesol Liquid is virtually suitable for everyone from babies through to the elderly and is recommended for mouth ulcers, denture irritation and teething pain.

Anbesol Liquid comes in a small 15ml bottle which is packaged in a cardboard box with a distinctive green and blue design. The liquid itself is a pale orangey/yellow shade due to the caramel colouring used in the product. The liquid is very runny and once the top is unscrewed there is no plastic cover so be careful not to spill it.

For mouth ulcers and dental irritation you need to apply the liquid with your finger and then reapply almost immediately. The double application can be repeated up to eight times per day.

I always make sure I have washed my hands before putting my finger over the end of the bottle and rapidly tipping it upside down and then the right way up to get a generous amount on my fingertip. The liquid is then applied straight to the sore area. If the ulcer is large or quite raw this process is excruciatingly painful for a couple of seconds and can really make my eyes water. I then immediately repeat the application and this then provides a fantastic numbing effect which usually lasts well for about half an hour and then diminishes over the next half an hour. I did try applying with a cotton-bud as I thought that would be more hygienic but it really didn't work well as the liquid was absorbed and then there was not enough released at the site on application so I returned to using my finger instead.

Since the effect does not last for a particularly long time I tend to use the liquid just before I need to eat or clean my teeth as I tend to find those are the most painful processes with an ulcer and I also reapply just before I go to bed.

I never used Anbesol Liquid on my children when they were teething as they didn't seem to have a particularly troublesome time. This liquid can be used for Teething but only one application is recommended at a time rather than the double application for adults.

The liquid has a powerful, rather medicinal flavour but you don't really taste very much of it so it is not a problem. The base is mainly alcohol so it evaporates quickly in the mouth and probably accounts for the strong taste.

Anbesol Liquid contains Lidocaine Hydrochloride which is the local anaesthetic which gives the liquid its instant numbing effect. It also contains Chlorocresol and Cetylpyridinium Chloride which are both antiseptics and so should assist in the healing process and prevent infection. There are rare instances when Chlorocresol will actually cause mouth ulcers in susceptible individuals so if you think your ulcers are getting worse you should stop using the product. As with any mouth ulcer treatment if the ulcers are showing no signs of healing in 7 days then you should see a doctor or dentist.

I am not convinced that any product I have used has helped my ulcers heal any quicker but this is the one that definitely makes them easier to live with as it gives instant pain relief (after the initial shock!) with a simple application. A bottle costs just over £4 now but it does tend to last a long time as you do not use a lot with each application.