My favourite brand of mouthwash was always either something clinical like TCP (not just as a mouthwash but also because it had several uses being an antiseptic liquid too) or Listerine as a child, even though my father used a clinical preparation that he eventually got free prescriptions for and is always used and preferred by our dentist, a product called Corsodyl.

Corsodyl, if you have tried it has only recently been available in two flavours; its original aniseed flavour and mint flavour does have a strong alcoholic factor to both versions, but does the job well on getting rid of the nasties and bacteria such as plaque and remains to be my number one mouthwash which relives toothache and gives mild relief for an open cavity led by broken filling or gum disease. Corsodyl also reveals nasties the moment the mouthwash is spat out, so this new range from Dentyl claiming to have a unique way of showing you how much bacteria is in your mouth is far fetched when Corsodyl has done it all along.

With a strong campaign behind it though, Dentyl claims to have "innovation which takes your breath away." This review concentrates on the "refreshing clove," flavour of Dentyl PH since there are three other flavours to choose from, such as "Smooth Mint," "Exhilaration Icy-Fresh," and "Icy-Fresh Mint." Sounds a bit like chewing gum doesn't it?


One of the biggest attractions of this product isn't the taller design of bottle over the standard short and stubby 500ml Corsodyl mouthwash but simply the large amount of colouring that has been added to the front and back transfers on the bottle. You don't need me to say how many claims this product has, far from being a unique mouthwash it seems Dentyl PH is alcohol free and available in four flavours and is apparently recommended by dentists and hygienists. Well not at my dentist who have been using Corsodyl for the best part of 10 years. Advertising aside, the claims on the bottle are quite graphic but at least over Corsodyl, the writing of the main brand name looks distinctive and digitalised.

Which isn't to say that there is something completely wrong with Dentyl by my local dentist's opinion, or rather that its claims should be brought into question if its not being used at such many surgeries and other dental clinics. In my lifetime so far, and having had to change dentists since relocating to universities and colleges, I've yet to meet a dentist who uses Dentyl against the more clinical Corsodyl or a trade preparation made by Vicks or Dettol.

The time came to try the Dentyl mouthwash when I couldn't find Corsodyl in stock at my local Boots. I'm well aware of the price that both these premium kinds of mouthwash command, the price being slightly more than Corsodyl at £4-97 for this 500ml Dentyl bottle and there are cheaper 200ml bottles available although my local Boots didn't have these either and are priced at £3-67 which I feel is far too expensive for a smaller capacity bottle.

To use Dentyl it is much the same to similar mouthwashes which have a double or triple action, claimed formula and that means it is directed to be used twice a day. Initially I felt apprehensive when it came to using even though it has an easy to undo screwable top measuring cap and as I shook the bottle to activate its formula I was taken aback as the two colours merged as one. Because at the top of the Clove flavour, there is a mix of a blue liquid at the top, and an opaque purple liquid underneath; when shaken, the vodka like "WKD blue," liquid reveals a strip of glitter coming together when both liquids meet.

But be quick when pouring into the cap, as the liquid readily splits back into its two distinctive colours. Quite neat the way that the liquids do this but I can't but help but feel this has been put in for your visual enjoyment before the shock of the nasties in your mouth are revealed come the time to spit. This is also helped along by the clinical look of the bottle which reminds me of old bottles of Vosene medicated hair shampoo - that Dentyl really have tested this product both on its look of the bottle, the design of the liquid and its apparent claims.


So on its look, you're expecting some magic and undiluted, which is how it is supposed to be served; my nerves are easily smoothed over by the scent of strong clove that in strong vapours is matched with a slight bland alcoholic smell, even if this product doesn't have any added.


The taste however is something else.


Bearing in mind there is no alcohol content in this flavour, the taste of the clove is very sharp, very hot on my tongue and as the liquid swirls around my mouth I am reminded that I need dental treatment as the clove flavouring stings a tooth which needs re-filled. Sad to say it, Corsodyl doesn't do this even though it is alcohol laden.

Now I have never tasted white spirit, but if I did I'd say that this is Dentyl's biggest problem because it reminds me of the smell of White spirit against the taste of this Clove version. Whilst the clove additive comes over very strongly, there is a nasty aftertaste of bitterness and something that tastes decidedly "off." Quite metallic is a phrase I don't often use with mouthwashes but I'm disappointed that from the word go, the taste sensation from this mouthwash isn't so much as bland as it is metallic and even if this brand is Ph balanced, I'd rather have something a bit more rounded with a flavour I can be satisfied with freshness as well as not having to fill my mouth with something else like a mint spray to get rid of the nasty aftertaste.


Similar to plaque red dye tablets - the kind you'd get free as a child if your primary school went in for endless Colgate toothpaste campaigns - the results of the reddish/purple dye in this mouthwash show similar effects; all my teeth had a strange colour after I had rinsed and spat out Dentyl whilst the sink revealed expectations of a similar, if not same appeal with Corsodyl - flecks of reddish blue and purple patches come out of my mouth and hit the sink every time - that will be Dentyl's unique bacteria spots to show everything nasty is being taken out of your mouth. There were however no food particles or anything viewable as such in the sink which either shows my good brushing skills or more approprately the power of a Sonic toothbrush.

For the factor and aspect of remaining fresh after the mouth wash has been completely spat out, I noticed very little difference with my usual mouthwash. After an hour my mouth still felt fresh which is good going, but let's not forget about the price here and another claim that it keeps your "mouth fresh for 18 hours." Well unless you don't drink and don't put anything in your mouth, that claim could be largely substantiated, but about the only time my gob remains free is when I'm sleeping, and after seven hours, my mouth has returned to the usual "morning breath," strong enough to break the mirror should I choose to breathe on it...

So is Dentyl's "Refreshing Clove," mouthwash likely to meet me again in my local Boots with a chance of being put into my basket? Sadly no. The aftertaste has completely put me off. Other mouthwashes do it better - and without the glittery appeals too. Thanks for reading. ©Nar2 2008

www.dentyl.co.uk