Ready to hear something crazy {&totally embarrassing}? I went to the dentist a few months ago- for the first time since I was three. When I was growing up, we didn’t have dental insurance &couldn’t really afford to go out of pocket, so that explains the first 18 years. &Since then, I’ve still not had dental insurance, and since I have been a starving college student & then a new mom {with all the costs of a new baby attached} back-to-back, I couldn’t bring myself to spend the money to go- especially since I was convinced I’d get horrible news from avoiding the dentist for so long.
Luckily, the dental hygienist spent an hour praising my good genes & telling me to thank them for the lack of issues. While my wisdom teeth need to come out, like, yesterday, I don’t have any real issues at all. She did notice though that my gums are very sensitive, and told me how to fix that so they don’t hurt or bleed so much: floss, and mouthwash.
Now, I already use mouthwash every night, but I don’t swish for the full recommended 30 seconds. &While I could lie and say that I floss every day, in reality it’s more like once a week when I’m not too tired to care.
That’s why I’m taking the LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge! It takes about three weeks to form a habit, so LISTERINE is encouraging people to commit to spending the next 21 days rinsing with mouthwash twice a day, for thirty seconds each time. In just two weeks, LISTERINE can make your gums up to 5 times healthier- and if you continue through the challenge & keep going, you’ll have up to 9 times healthier gums in just 4 weeks.
After the 21 day challenge, your gums should have reduced swelling and should not bleed when you brush or floss, and your mouth should feel fresher and cleaner for longer. There’s definitely enough reasons there to start a new routine! But starting any habit isn’t easy, which is why LISTERINE has a fun reminder app on Facebook to help you stay on track! And I’m planning on keeping my tools right in plain sight until my new routine is second nature.
You can get your kids involved, too! LISTERINE has a mouth rinse for kids 6 & up and while Shane isn’t old enough to use it yet, he is old enough to floss- something that we aren’t great with, since he hates using it & usually it’s such a battle that we end up skipping it. But we hung a fun chart in the bathroom for Shane to keep track of when he brushes & flosses, twice each day, and since he loves marking off charts I am hoping it encourages him to do it! &That same LISTERINE app on Facebook comes with a fun “My Pet Mouth” game for kids to help them remember to use rinse twice a day, every day! To play, they have to swish their pet mouth every morning and evening to earn coins & purchase items to improve their health & happiness.
Need another reason to take the challenge? For every person who signs up for the challenge, the LISTERINE Brand will make a contribution to help Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America program to help their goal of connecting 210,000 children with needed oral health services in 2013. Since oral disease is now the most chronic childhood illness in the U.S., affecting children of all backgrounds, but especially the millions who are unable to afford or get access to regular professional care. Since I was one of those kids, it definitely means a lot to me that LISTERINE is helping to make this happen!
Will you be taking the 21 Day Challenge?
Note: I received products from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.
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8 Days Left 
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I just went to the dentist yesterday (only because I broke a tooth) and haven’t been there in 2 years. We all hate the dentist. LOL
Lisa recently posted..RSV Awareness #RSVProtection
This is such a great challenge! It’s important to have a healthy mouth. But I have to admit, that I don’t go to the dentist as often as I should.
Donna recently posted..Hungry Girl FoldIt Flatout Flatbread Hot Sandwich & Cold Sandwich Recipe #FlatoutHot
This is a really great challenge for the entire family.
I for one hate the dentist, but at the end of the day it’s worth going to avid complications down the road.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins recently posted..Low-Fat Ground Turkey Burritos + Jennie-O Snack Ideas
great challenge we still love listerine and use it daily
Tricia Nightowlmama recently posted..Pint Size Pinypon Dolls Caravan Review and #Giveaway
This is a great challenge! I should commit to using Listerine more often
Elaina- A Time Out for Mommy recently posted..Making the Playroom a Little Cozier With a Mohawk Rug (Giveaway!)
good luck on the challenge. We did it last year and still use Listerine to this day. Love their products
we like xylitol to help control bacteria.
I didn’t know xylitol can do this! I use it to bake with quite often.
Marcie W. recently posted..NatureBox Review & Giveaway (3/1)
Great challenge. I don’t do it every day, but will try!
Jennifer H recently posted..Comment on Theme Park Discounts by Jennifer H
We are already diehard fans
Penelope recently posted..Small Steps For Better Health
How awesome that they are helping out children in need of dental products.
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving recently posted..Sins of a Crunchy Mother
I am taking the Listerine challenge too, we will have clean mouths together! LOL
Love Listerine!
Listerine is great because I can actually feel it working in my mouth. It keeps my mouth fresh and clean for hours also.
Mellisa recently posted..Twyxt-Romance and Technology Combined
I have a dentist appointment next week and it has been about 8 years since my last visit. I am nervous!
Stefani recently posted..Find Coupon Codes Before You Checkout With Coupons At Checkout
I just read about this on another blog. I’m totally going to do it, too!
Leilani recently posted..Pilates Pregnancy Workouts DVD
I need to do this…plus floss!
We are up for the challenge as well!
Anne – Mommy Has to Work recently posted..Crafty Bands Charm Bracelets
what a great challenge. dental health is so important.
Vanessa: the queen of swag ! recently posted..This Hungry Girl Eats Sandwiches Hot or Cold! #FlatoutHot #Sandwich #Recipe
We are doing that here and I already know my mouth is cleaner.
We loved this challenge!
What a good idea – I should do this with K!
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV recently posted..Handmade Kids Valentines Card
So glad you didn’t have any major issues, and sorry you have to have your wisdom teeth out! Ouch. Good luck with the challenge!
Virginia from That Bald Chick recently posted..Adopting Again
I’m a few days into the challenge now & already see a little improvement by the increased mouthwash usage.
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} recently posted..I’m Kicking Off the #Listerine 21 Day Oral Care Challenge
I need to do that challenge. My teeth have changed drastically since having and nursing my children.
Jennifer The Quirky Momma recently posted..Ouch, My Clavicle.
I need to try this my gums of been bleeding a ton lately–but that’s also pregnancy related!
Christa recently posted..Maternity Photo Ideas Featuring Siblings
We love Listerine products!
Toni recently posted..Take Steps Toward Flu Prevention With Wet Ones
I need to have baybah start flossing.
I’m doing the challenge as well. I think it’s great for overall health.
debra pearlstein recently posted..Valentine’s Day Hop – Win an awesome prize package!
great challenge, my kids need constant reminders.
Anne recently posted..Great Coupon – 15% Off Sitewide at Tea Collection
That’s a great challenge!
Sheri recently posted..Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your favourite Disney Characters! #DisneyJuniorMom