Since I was in my teens, I have been very afraid of the Dentist. I have used every excuse under the sun to avoid going for a check up, let alone, any treatment. I have had two extractions and only, went to the dentist, because I could no longer stand the pain of toothache.

All this changed about two years ago. I had been really unwell and was very 'run down'. I developed dreadful pains in my gums and teeth. My gums were also bleeding when I brushed my teeth. My family convinced me that a visit to the dentist was a necessity.

Off I went, and was told by the dentist, that I had a severe case of Gingivitis, which is probably better known as gum disease. He also told me that, if I was not careful, my gums could start receeding. He told me that my gum disease was mainly caused by dental plaque.

Two visits to the Dental Hygienist, quickly disposed of all my dental plaque, as well as some of my hard earned cash.

I was advised on cleaning and flossing my teeth, and was also given 2 bottles of Corsodyl Mouthwash.

This mouthwash is an antibacterial solution which contains Chorhexidine. Unlike most other mouthwashes, it does not contain alcohol.

Corsodyl comes in a 300ml brown bottle with a white cap. The entire bottle has a plastic wrap round it, which should be intact. I removed this easily. There is a label round the bottle which gives all the necessary information. At the time I had to use this twice per day for one month.

To use the mouthwash all I had to do was pour 10mls of the clear liquid into the bottle top. The cap has a 10ml guide on it.
I then swirled the liquid round my mouth for one minute and then spat it out. I do get a slight burning feeling in my mouth when using the mouthwash, but the dentist told me that this is normal.

At this point I have to say, that it tastes absolutely vile. It does not matter whether I use the Original Flavour or the Mint Flavour, they both taste of the Dentist. That is the only way I can describe it.

After one month of usage my mouth was back to normal. I now visit my Dentist on a regular basis. After all these years, I have decided that it is better to have 10 minutes of fear, than a few weeks of terrible pain.

Now I always keep a bottle of Corsodyl in the house. Since using it originally, I have now found out that it can also be used for Mouth Ulcers, Oral Thrush and General Oral Hygeine. If you have dentures it can also be used for 'Denture Sore Mouth'.

I have used the mouthwash for the treatment of mouth ulcers and it works really well. I also use it sometimes for general oral hygeine. I would not use it as an everyday mouthwash, mainly due to the taste.

One thing that it does say on the label, (and I have found this to be true), is that if the mouthwash is used immediately before or after teeth brushing, it can cause slight discolouration of the teeth. This is easily avoided by not doing both together.

I usually pay £3.59 for my 300ml bottle of Corsodyl at Boots.

In my opinion this is he most effective mouthwash that I have used and I will continue to use it, unless a better product is brought onto the market.

This loses one star for the vile taste.