Colgate Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse Review

Colgate are one of the big brands within the dentistry and oral healthcare market and a name you have likely heard of.

From toothpastes to brushes, Colgate Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse is from the company’s professional range of products.

This is a medicated mouthwash that is designed to relieve minor mouth and gum irritations.

Whilst it can be purchased without a prescription, it is likely that a recommendation from your dentist or pharmacist will be the reason you opt for this rinse.

If you are looking for something to help you relieve the pain in your gums, or other oral irritations, this is quite likely the product for you.

In this full Colgate Peroxyl Mouthwash review, we will give you all the information you wish to know, but before we get to the full written review, a few bits of key information are provided first.

For a more detailed comparison of choices and to learn more about mouthwash, see our best mouthwash post.

Does it actually work?

Yes, I found that the irritation subsided after use.

How much does it cost?

Whilst the exact price will vary depending upon where you purchase the bottle of Colgate Peroxyl from, the good news is it is not all that expensive and the prices are fairly stable.

The recommended retail price (RRP) is around $12 for a 16.9oz/500ml bottle and $7 for the 8.4oz bottle.

There are slight discounts, with a typical price being $9 and $6 for the 16.9 and 8.4oz bottles respectively.

Where can I buy it?

Whilst Colgate Peroxyl might not be as familiar to you as Listerine, Act or Crest, Peroxyl is widely stocked.

From online retailers like Amazon, to stores such as Walmart, Walgreens, Target and more.

Pro’s

• Antibacterial
• Does what it should
• Well priced given its more niche appeal
• Alcohol free

Con’s

• Not all will like the taste
• Some will not get the desired relief

Would I recommend it?

Yes, based on my usage I have no reason not to recommend it as a product for helping to deal with irritated mouth and gums. Although, it should be acknowledged that it may not be to everyone’s liking or be as effective.

Full Review

Your mouth is a gateway for germs and bacteria.  It is therefore important to assist your body’s natural defenses by keeping your teeth and gums clean and in a good state of health so that you feel better.

If you do not take care of your teeth and gums, or perhaps if you feel ill or a little worse off, it is amazing what a quick freshen up can do for you.

We have lapses in our oral regime, or for whatever reason we may get a mild irritation to the mouth and gums, perhaps some swelling and abrasion or bacteria build up in the mouth.

Colgate Peroxyl is a specially medicated mouthwash that relieves minor mouth and gum irritations using a mix of ingredients, but primarily benefiting from the use of hydrogen peroxide to alleviate the soreness and irritation in the mouth

This is not a daily mouthwash and one to be used normally.  but you may be advised by a dentist to use this mouthwash, typically for a period of no more than 7 days.

So, what is it really like to use?

How I tested the mouthwash

Due to the type of mouth rinse this is and the recommended usage time, I only tested this for a period of 7 days and this is not an extended trial of Colgate Peroxyl.

Official guidance is to use up to 4 times a day for no longer than 7 days and this is how I used it.

• In the morning, soon after (but not immediately after) having cleaned my teeth
• At lunchtime having eaten
• At night, soon after (but not immediately after) having cleaned my teeth

Each time I used the recommended 10ml dosage.

When you choose to use it will be up to you unless your dentist advises a specific time or regularity for your particular circumstances. Popular advice is to use after eating.

Alongside this my normal tooth brushing pattern remained, cleaning my teeth twice a day for 2 minutes with an Oral-B electric toothbrush, the Pro 6000 set to daily clean mode, with a CrossAction brush head.

I mention in the bullet points above about not rinsing immediately after brushing my teeth; generally speaking, it is advised to use mouthwash some considerable time after brushing your teeth, as by using immediately after cleaning your teeth can wash away much of the benefit brought about by the toothpaste and the act of cleaning.  

Summary How I tested the mouthwash

• Test lasted for 1 week (7 days)
• Used at 3 different times of the day
• Used 10ml each time
• Used Oral-B Pro 6000 with CrossAction brush head
• Cleaned twice a day for 2 minutes each time
• Flossed once a day
• No changes in diet

Daily Usage

If you are looking for an oral rinse that will simply clean away bacteria, leave your mouth feeling fresh and can be used everyday, then Colgate Peroxyl is not for you.

Yes, it removes bacteria, yes it leaves your mouth feeling fresh, but it is not designed to be used everyday.

This is because of the ingredients within it, the main one being hydrogen peroxide.

This is a chemical compound that is used in bleaching and disinfectants. Do not be put off, it is perfectly safe as an oral antiseptic cleanser or mouthwash as it is in a much smaller dose.

However, it should not be over-used and it is advised to cease using this mouth sore rinse after 7 days unless directed otherwise by a physician.

Colgate Peroxyl looks to target and treat irritations within the mouth.  This could be split or bleeding gums, canker sores and more.

When used, the hydrogen peroxide within the liquid makes contact with peroxidases and catalases (essentially bad bacteria enzymes) present in tissues (gums) and saliva, which causes the rapid release of oxygen.

This reaction provides mechanical cleansing which flushes out mouth debris.

It also helps to facilitate healing and alleviates discomfort caused by minor mouth and gum irritations, such as aphthous ulcers, pericoronitis and trauma from fixed orthodontic braces.

The chemical reaction is also antibacterial in itself. This can help reduce the number of some types of bacteria in the mouth.

In its raw form hydrogen peroxide is extremely strong and is diluted within this mouthwash to just 1.5g per every 100ml, equivalent to 1.5%. This dilution is weak enough to be safe yet strong enough to be effective.

OK, so the ingredients are in place to work but what is it like to use?

The mouthwash itself is an aqua blue color, not clear.  It has quite a strong smell to it if you put your nose in close to the bottle and to be honest you have to when it comes to taking your dosage.

When in the mouth though the taste is reasonably pleasant, certainly not bad (far better than many) but nor is it the best I have tasted. A mild flavor, it is not overpowering nor does it taste particularly medical in my opinion.

You can certainly feel the oxygen reaction as the result is a much frothier liquid when you come to spit it out.

The dosage is 10ml as is common amongst mouthwashes.

Bottles are typically 8.4 or 16.9 fluid ounces.

If you used the maximum 40ml (4 x 10ml) does per day, a 8.4oz bottle would last just over 6 days and the larger 16.9oz, 12 days.

Given the recommended usage time, the smaller 8.4oz is likely best for most people.

As with any product ingested orally, should you notice any side effects stop using and seek further assistance.

It perhaps goes without saying that if you are sensitive to hydrogen peroxide you should avoid this mouthwash.  

The directions for use are, 1 x 10ml dose rinsed around the mouth for a minute and then spat out.

If the mouthwash has not worked after 7 days and irritations persist, consult a dentist or medical professional as you may have a more serious condition requiring treatment.

Children under the age of 12, but older than 2 years, can use this but require adult supervision or should take a similar or smaller dosage than an adult at 10ml.

At the time of testing, I genuinely had a slight irritation to the mouth due to not feeling myself and generally being a bit run down.  Parts of my gums were a little inflamed and sensitive when brushed.

From the moment I began using this I felt some relief, but no sharp or sensitive pain or stinging sensation.  I was pleasantly surprised.

The Peroxyl sore rinse certainly left a freshness to the mouth, not quite as harsh as some and I could still taste the effects some 90 minutes later.

Others have commented that the taste was not very pleasant, but inevitably not everyone will like the taste.

I did not notice nor have I seen others reporting of any common side effects like tooth staining, when using Peroxyl, so that is another positive here.

Unlike the CB12 mouthwash bottle that makes a real statement when sat on the shelf, in my opinion. However, in use it doesn’t leave quite the same impact. The Colgate bottle is more about the function and I feel more effort has gone into what is inside.

The screw cap is perfectly fine and the cap can be used to pour the mouth sore rinse into.

Expect to pay $9 and $6 respectively for the 16.9 and 8.4oz bottles.

Given that this mouth rinse is a bit more specialized, this is a fair price in my opinion.

Each use cost about $0.35.

If this helps alleviate pain and saves a trip to the dentist, it could be a lot cheaper too!

Summary of Daily Usage

• Aqua blue in color
• Froths quite a bit in the mouth
• Mild taste to the mouthwash that was not overpowering although the smell can be
• 1 x 10ml dosage rinsed and gargled in the mouth for a minute then spat out
• Use up to 4 times a day for no more than 7 days
• Lid can be used for pouring out rinse
• 8.4oz bottle offers approximately 6 days use

The Results

I can only speak from my experience with Colgate Peroxyl and my findings and results may well be different to yours.

I was actually suffering with mild soreness and even light bleeding in the mouth at the time of testing (due to a few days poor routine and generally feeling run down) which allowed me to really experience the benefits during this testing period and it worked for me.

It improved the condition and within a couple of days my mouth felt healthier.

The irritation I felt may have been solved with returning to a good brushing routine, but I certainly found the pain was eased and soothed by the use of Peroxyl and probably sped the recovery process up by a day or two.

No side effects were experienced and the taste to me was ok.

Conclusion, is Colgate Peroxyl any good?

Yes, in my opinion, it is.

I certainly felt better after using it on my sore mouth.

This starts off from the fact that this is not a heavily marketed product and not one you might know about until you are told about it.

Whilst the dosage and extended use should ideally be advised by a dentist, unless you have any allergies or known reactions, there is little harm that can come from a week’s use.

FAQ

• Where can I buy Colgate Peroxyl?
  • Amazon, Walmart, Walgreens and Target are just a few examples of locations you can find this.
  • You can buy it from Amazon here.
• What are the ingredients in Peroxyl?
  • Hydrogen Peroxide, Water, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Poloxamer 338, Polysorbate 20, Flavor, Sodium Saccharin, FD amp C Blue 1
• Does it contain fluoride?
  • No
• Does it contain alcohol?
  • No, it is alcohol free.
• What does it taste like?
  • It has a mint flavor.
• How often should I rinse?
  • It is advised to rinse no more than 4 times a day for a period no greater than 7 days.  For best effects use after eating and avoid use within half an hour of brushing.
• Does it actually work?
  • Yes, I do believe so.  I felt and saw benefits as a results of using this. Individual conditions and circumstances will come into play.  Greater research sees few criticisms of this mouthwash.
• Does it hurt?
  • I did not find it to do so. If you should gain additional sensitivity or side effects as a result of using it, stop doing so and consult a dentist.
• How long does it last?
  • A 8.4oz bottle will last just over 6 days if uses 4 times a day with suggested 10ml dose.
• Can it prevent “morning breath”?
  • Colgate Peroxyl has not been designed to eliminate this but if used last thing at night you may find some benefit to the freshness of your breath come morning.
• From what age can Colgate Peroxyl be first used?
  • When the child or adult is aged 2 years or above. Children under 12 should be supervised.
• Can you water down the mouthwash?
  • Yes, although this may reduce the effects.
• How should you use the mouthwash?
  • The advised directions for use are to rinse and gargle 10ml in the mouth for 1 minute, spit out and do not swallow.
• Does Colgate Peroxyl stain the teeth?
  • No, it does not.
• Who produces Colgate Peroxyl?
  • Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, NY, 10022 USA.