Listerine Oral Care Challenge!!

Does it surprise you to learn that “44 percent of American kids will suffer from pediatric dental disease before they reach kindergarten?” America’s ToothFairy is a nonprofit organization whose focus is the elimination of children’s preventable suffering from dental diseases. This Halloween, you can help by joining in on Trick or Treat for America’s ToothFairy. All donations go directly toward helping children in need. I had the opportunity to sit in on a great informational meeting with Dr. Kaneta Lott, a pediatric dentist, and learned answers to questions I have often wondered. Here is some of the interesting things I learned:

• Parents should brush their children’s teeth until the age of 8.
• Brushing should last for 2 minutes and rinsing for 60 seconds.
• Children should have their first dental visit by 12 months, even if no teeth are in yet.
• Too much fluoride is not a concern except when it is swallowed.
• Children should begin flossing when their teeth touch side to side.
• Clean teeth do not bleed. If your gums bleed that means they are not clean and it will take 5 days of good brushing, flossing, and rinsing to get clean teeth. If your gums bleed, don’t cut back on flossing or brushing, instead keep up the good hygiene.
• Sugar-free gum or swishing water in your mouth and swallowing after a meal will help neutralize sugars from the foods you’ve eaten.

I’ll be honest, I have always struggled to be consistent with an oral care routine for myself and my children. Whenever I remind my children, they are always excited and think it is fun to brush their teeth. However, with three little children that still need my help, it can be a huge process getting all their teeth properly brushed and cared for. I know it is important to take good care of their oral hygiene and help them establish good habits they will carry throughout their lives. I’m excited to embark on a 3-week Sweet Smart challenge that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day. We will be using LISTERINE SMART RINSE, REACH TOTAL CARE Floss and REACH toothbrushes during our challenge. To help keep me reminded and help track our progress, we have a success chart to mark off daily. Another fun tip that was suggested was to play a fun song to help my children realize how long they should brush and rinse. With all purchases of LISTERINE SMART RINSE at Walmart, you can get a free son download for your kids to brush and rinse to with choices of Phineas and Ferb or Barbie!

Are you ready to jump on board? Join in on the 3-week challenge and start with us on Monday as we begin our journey! For more information on LISTERINE products or oral care tips visit http://www.listerinekids.com/. You can also score a $1 off coupon good towards LISTERINE or REACH kids products!

Disclosure: I received a box of LISTERINE and REACH products to participate in the 3-week challenge. I will also be compensated for participating. The opinions expressed above are my own and any claims should be verified on the sponsor’s site.