Wash Those Germs Right Out Of My Mouth............. (Listerine Original)

Member Name: lel1969

Product:	Listerine Original
Date:	12/12/07 (195 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great for oral hygiene

Disadvantages: Original tastes horrible

Oral health and hygiene is particularly important nowadays what with all the sugary foods and foods packed with additives we consume each day. We are advised now to carry out 3 oral hygiene steps per day. We should brush twice a day, floss at least once a day and rinse with mouthwash, preferably after brushing. Listerine, like all mouthwashes, is a great mouthwash for helping your mouth to feel clean and fresh, but I feel Listerine has the added benefit of really sterilising your mouth with the added antiseptic.

I was first made aware of Listerine about 25 years ago when my younger sister had a blood disorder, which caused huge blisters to form inside her mouth, while experiencing this our doctor advised the use of Listerine for its antiseptic properties.

The Story of Listerine.............

Joseph Lister, a British physician, was the first man to use antiseptics in surgery in 1865. In 1879 in the USA Warner Lambert Company first marketed Listerine as an antiseptic for use in surgery, first being used by dentists in 1895. By 1914 Listerine was being sold over the counter as the first mouthwash. I hadn't realised until researching this product just quite how old mouthwash was!! I had always been under the impression mouthwash was quite a new, fashionable, trendy item of hygiene.

The Claims............

Listerine claims to kill plaque bacteria, even between the teeth, which normal brushing and flossing may miss, plaque being a major cause of gum disease. It is also claimed that using Listerine can help to prevent cavities, keep you mouth clean and healthy and help to kill the bacteria, which can lead to bad breath.

I personally do like the feel of my mouth after using Listerine Original, it tingles feeling very clean and fresh. My teeth feel very smooth and sparkling after use and I feel like they have a protective coating over them, somehow it makes my teeth feel stronger for about 10 minutes after use. I am not a great fan of the flavour of the Listerine Original, or the smell, being a bit too antiseptic tasting for my liking, but I do feel overall it is worth it for the feeling it leaves in my mouth and over my teeth and gums.
For those of you who just cannot stomach the Listerine Original they have now produced an array of flavours and styles to tickle your taste buds. They now produce flavours such as coolmint, freshburst, cool citrus and soft mint sensation. Also in the range you will find Advanced Tartar Control, Teeth and Gum Defence and Total Care.

How to Use..........

We are advised to use Listerine twice a day, preferably after brushing. You should use approximately 20ml (4 teaspoonfuls) at a time, this should be vigorously swirled around the mouth for approximately 30 seconds and then spat out, do not swallow.

The Packaging.........

All Listerine flavours are packaged in similar bottles with black plastic safety lids. These bottles are plastic with a narrower bit in the middle, a bit like a waistline! The label is to the front of the bottle with Listerine in bold black capital letters and the flavour in smaller writing. The original Listerine is not the most appealing of colours being a yellow/orange shade.

Other Info...........

Listerine Original should be stored below 25°C and it is not advisable for children under the age of 12 to use this product.

Price.......

Prices vary from shop to shop. At the moment Tesco and Boots are both selling the Original in the 500ml bottle for £2.43. You can also by most of the flavours in a 250ml bottle, prices range from £1.95 right up to £3.99 for all other flavours.

All in all I would definitely recommend Listerine Original to others as I really do feel it helps towards good oral health, however, if Listerine Original is not for you then give one of the other flavours a try. It is a bit pricey but again I do think you get what you pay for.

Summary: You get what you pay for