Listerine Smart Rinse #SweetSmart Challenge

When it comes to brushing our teeth, I’m pretty hard core when it comes to my boys. Well, in regards to brushing at least. Once in the morning, once at night. Buddy is 13 and Doodle is 9. Neither flosses and Doodle rinses on occasion. I have to be honest and say those last two items I’ve been pretty negligent as a parent.

Now, for myself, I brush once in the morning and floss every day…on my way to work. Yes, I floss in the car. I was getting my teeth cleaned a few years ago and was SO tired of having to answer “no” when asked if I’d been flossing, I figured the best way to do it was when I had time! Well, it takes me 1/2 an hour to drive to work! Plenty of time I’d say. As for rinsing, I’ve never done it.

Growing up, I had horrible teeth which I think was mostly genetics. My mom had bad teeth too. Such a bummer, because when you’re really little there’s not much you can do if you’re teeth have issues.

Turned out my 2nd daughter had issues with her teeth as well and since she did the same routine as her older sister, I’m guessing genetics played a big role for her, too.

My son’s Listerine Smart Rinse

My youngest son, Doodle had a pretty good track record going and I don’t think he had any cavities until last month. I take my kids to the dentist twice a year for a cleaning and a check up and at their last one in August, he had FIVE…count ‘em 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 cavities! How do you go from none in December to FIVE by August? His habits hadn’t changed. I have no idea what happened! so, he had two filled a couple of weeks ago and has to go back to have the other ones taken care of. Sigh…

Last week I had the opportunity to go to a briefing session to learn about America’s ToothFairy, a nonprofit organization, on the elimination of children’s preventable suffering from dental disease. They work with community-based organizations, civic groups and others.

During the briefing, a group of bloggers got to hear from Fern Ingber, Founding President and CEO of America’s ToothFairy. She told us about a lot of statistics like:

Oral disease has become the #1 chronic childhood disease. Dental disease can lead to serious illnesses and affects a child’s overall well-being.

· 44 percent of American kids will suffer from pediatric dental disease before they reach kindergarten

· Of the 4 million kids born each year, more than half will have cavities by the time they reach 2^nd grade

· 43% of Americans lack dental insurance

· All in all, 16 million kids suffer from untreated dental disease

One way to get involved this season: Join Trick or Treat for America’s ToothFairy. Just set up a virtual page for Halloween, invite friends and family to join you, and take on the opportunity to help raise money to care for a child in need.

You can learn more at AmericasToothFairy.org.

Doodle pointed out the kids’ Listerine Smart Rinse is alcohol free! He read the labels. The only one that doesn’t say that is the one for adults. I asked him if he saw it on the tops of the bottles and he said, “Yah, there and on the back.”

We also hear from DR. KANETA LOTT, pediatric dentist. Learned a great deal from her also:

Tips for getting kids to practice good oral hygiene:

· Parents should brush their children’s teeth until age eight to demonstrate good brushing behavior.

You can make brushing into a game – make funny faces, play music, use a calendar and give a star for every day that your child brushes without prodding.

On average, brushing should last two minutes and rinsing 60 seconds – which is about the length of a song. For all purchases of LISTERINE SMART RINSE at Walmart, you can download a song that your kids can brush/rinse to. Find songs at www.disney.com/phineasandferbmusic or www.barbie.com/listerinekids.

This October, LISTERINE is teaming up with America’s ToothFairy for the third year to eliminate pediatric oral disease and promote overall health and well-being for underserved children.

For more information on helping kids with their oral care routine, you can visit www.ListerineKids.com, and you can shop for LISTERINE SMART RINSE and other oral care products at Walmart or www.walmart.com.

  

So, here’s what my boys and I are going to do. Over the next 3 weeks we’re going to take the #SweetSmart Challenge and take care of our oral hygiene! We are going to floss, rinse and brush the recommended amount of times daily. At the end of the three weeks, I’ll come back and let you know how it went!

On top of taking care of their teeth better (and yes, me as well) I’ll be removing fruit snacks from their diet. I guess dentists are less than thrilled with sticky foods we eat. I guess I’ll have to come up with a different after school snack or something easy to throw into their lunches!

Let the games begin!

*I received these products from The Motherhood and Listerine for their #SweeSmart campaign. All opinions expressed are my own and are never influenced by the company.