| Product: |
Colgate Plax Sensitive |
| Date: |
28.07.05 (1186 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Takes plaque of teeth, freshens breath
Disadvantages: Price
Do you know the feeling when you run your tongue along the inside of your teeth and feel a layer of fur has grown on them? Do you know what it is like when brushing your teeth just does not do enough to remove this fur? Are you self-conscious about what odour meets the person standing opposite you when you open your mouth to speak?
I do not know about you, but my cleaning my teeth is probably the most important part of my daily hygiene routine. I brush at least two times a day, if not three. I also floss regularly. And, as if my dentist could not be proud enough already of my good habits, I also use mouthwash.
There are loads of different mouthwash manufacturers out there, but today I want to introduce to you the one oral hygiene product that I would not want to live without.
***The product***
Plax is manufactured by Colgate (now also known as Colgate-Palmolive). It comes in a tall see-through plastic bottle with an oval base and contains 500ml of product. I have also seen smaller versions of the product, though they are less frequently sold.
Plax is available in three flavours, each represented by its own distinct colour: The red liquid is called 'original'. The blue liquid is called 'cool mint' and the green liquid is called 'soft mint'.I have tried all three available ranges.
***My experience***
The green soft mint flavour is my favorite. I usually do not purchase the other ones in this range, unless they are currently sold out. The name is very appropriate for its flavour: a subtle mint flavour. It is not strong and overpowering, just pleasant and sweet. It does not irritate your throat or mouth.
The blue cool mint flavour is my second favorite. Like the name says, it does have a cool and tingly feeling when you put it in your mouth. Unlike the soft mint version, however, it is quite strong and may be overpowering (and perhaps even irritating) for those who are sensitive.
The red original flavour is my least favorite. Although it also has a gentle mint flavour, there is a distinctive clinical taste to it. It tastes like something you might have got at the dentist office. Try to avoid this one if you can.
The mouthwash can either be used before brushing or after brushing. The theory behind the pre-brushing rinse is simple: It is supposed to loosen some of the plaque on your teeth and thus aid the toothbrush in its removal. The post-brushing use is more for those concerned about the freshness of their breath.
I tend to use a cap full of product before I brush my teeth. I rigourously rinse my mouth, moving the liquid from my left to my right cheek and through the spaces of my teeth. After 30 to 60 seconds, I spit the product into the sink.
I then tend to proceed with my brushing, which lasts between 2 and 3 minutes. Following this, I can feel a noticeable difference from before. The "fur coat" that I referred to above is noticeable reduced.
My boyfriend tends to use the product after brushing, as a mouthwash. Living in close proximity to him on a daily basis, I can only vouch for the product's effect. He has never had bad breath in the last 18 months.
Plax claims to last up to 12 hours. While this may be true of the 'fresh breath' effect, it is not so much true of the 'cleaner teeth' feeling. A few hours after using the product and after having drunk tea or coffee and eaten a meal, the fur coat does tend to re-appear.
The effect of Plax will largely depend on when you last visited your dentist. I find that if I just had my teeth cleaned by the dentist or a hygienist and use Plax, the fur coat tends to take a lot longer to re-appear. I also find that Plax prolongs the time period that passes until I feel like I need another proper dental cleaning.
A 500ml bottle of Plax shared between two people tends to last about 10 to 14 days, if used once or twice daily.
***Price and availability***
Plax is relatively expensive. It is usually priced between £2.79 and £2.99, depending on where you buy it. It is available at all major supermarkets and drugstores/ pharmacies.
Some retailers do special deals. Every few weeks Sainsbury's tends to run a 2 for 1 deal on this product. Boots often makes a "2 for £4" offer on this item. So it is highly recommended to stock up at this time.
***My verdict***
I would definitely recommend using this product to anyone who cares a lot about oral hygiene. It really does help keep your mouth feeling healthier. Always remember that it works better if you get your teeth cleaned on a regular basis. I would also highly recommend waiting for the special offers to come around. £3 for one bottle might sound pricey, but if you manage to reduce the price to £2 or £1.50, it is a real bargain!
***Further product info***
Tel: 00-800-321-321-32
www.colgate.eu.com
Summary: A superb and gentle mouthwash that removes plaque and freshens breath.
|
|
