Plax: leaves your teeth gleaming and your mouth burning (Colgate Plax Mouthwash Cool Mint)

Member Name: apele

Product:	Colgate Plax Mouthwash Cool Mint
Date:	18/05/09 (136 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Leaves teeth white and feeling fresh

Disadvantages: Not good for sensitive teeth, strong flavour, burning of mouth

*PLEASE NOTE: (I have already put this disclaimer on one of my reviews and on my profile) SOME OF THESE REVIEWS ARE COPIED FROM MY OLD CIAO AND DOOYOO ACCOUNTS, EIBEE AND EIBEE8 RESPECTIVELY. SOMEONE HASN'T PAID ATTENTION TO THIS AND TAKEN MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS. I WOULD SUGGEST ANYONE ELSE HALTS THEIR "NOT HELPFUL"S UNTIL THE MATTER IS RESOLVED.

After visiting the dentist and getting a few harsh truths about 'better oral hygiene' (as well as a filling or two), I made a resolve to do all I could to improve my daily tooth-care routine to lessen my chances of coming into contact with the dentist's needle at my next check-up. I figured this firstly involved doing something other than just brushing, so I stocked up on dental floss and specialist plaque removing pastes. I decided mouthwash would probably be a good idea too, and settled on Colgate Total Plax.

The mouthwash upon first taste, although very strong, was fine. I used it straight after brushing which was my first mistake. Perhaps it's down to my sensitive teeth, but I found I could barely hold the liquid in my mouth for more than 20 seconds due to the burning pain coming from my gums. I'm not quite sure how this links with brushing, but there is a definite connection between brushing and using the mouthwash straight after in relation to soreness, for me at least. I now usually wait 15 minutes after brushing before I use any mouthwash to reduce the stinging effects. The next problem came when (attempting) gargling with the product. When I tried this, bubbles built up in my mouth, which was not only off-putting (I managed to accidentally swallow some mouthwash in fright!), but messy. And as the mouthwash is distinctly coloured, I wouldn't recommend wearing your best or whitest clothes when using it! The taste of the substance seemed much stronger and made my throat feel sore and dry for a few hours after usage, accompanied by a bitter aftertaste that tasted somewhere between stale chewing gum and the dentist. Well, not THE dentist, but you know what I mean. It also gives an awful tang to food if you eat soon after using the mouthwash.

Despite the negatives, there are some pros to the Colgate Plax brand. Healthwise, the wash cannot be faulted. Immediately after using the product, my teeth felt much cleaner and looked whiter - a combination that I've found to be one or the other with most mouthwash products. My gums also get the benefits of a good cleaning, making my mouth feel generally cleaner and more healthy. My breath also feels and stays brilliantly fresh for hours. Another plus is that the mouthwash doesn't stain teeth bright blue like some mouthwashes do.

The product has been developed with and tested by dentists - who better to ensure a good quality product on the health side of things? It's too bad that the formula wasn't developed to be milder on sensitive teeth - or to be able to gargle without feeling like a bubble machine!

The brand comes in three different colours and flavours - blue, cool mint; green, soft mint; and the original, which is red. I've only tried the cool mint flavour, but if I were to buy this product again (unlikely), I would choose soft mint - hopefully it lives up to its name. You can buy 500ml bottles from between £2-£3 in most pharmacies and supermarkets. This is a fairly good price compared to popular rival brands.

Summary: People with sensitive teeth should avoid this product