It’s a new year and I am trying some fun new things. Things that are not only fun, but necessary. Oral care is one thing that I have always been diligent about (in fact, went in for my routine teeth cleaning last week!), thanks in part to my parents taking me to the dentist for the first time when I was about 2-years old. I don’t believe I have missed a 6-month cleaning/check-up since then. So what is it that I am doing that is so fun? The LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge!
I am excited about this challenge, as this new oral care routine will save me a bit of time, but I will be improving the health of my teeth and gums. Did you know that 75% of your mouth is missed by brushing alone? Oral hygiene is SO much more than just brushing, but many people don’t know that. Of course flossing is something that should be done every day, and using a therapeutic rinse (such as Listerine) should be used twice daily. My husband has used Listerine since we met (20 years ago), and he is also very diligent about his oral care routine. During the LISTERINE 21 Day Challenge, I plan on getting my whole family involved. We will be using the LISTERINE products that were sent to me, and I will be sharing our results next month. Will my mouth feel different after 21 days?
My kids are 16 and 22, and very busy (aren’t we all?), so I am anxious to have them participate too, so we can all know we are doing the very best we can with our nightly routine. Sometimes a challenge is inspiring, and that is my hope here. I, for one, am ready for bedtime to roll around in the early evening. After a busy day, I honestly don’t want to spend more time than necessary on my teeth. I always brush and floss, no matter how stretched I am for time, but I am going to go a step further with something that only takes a minute and will GREATLY improve my dental health.
I have something else really important to tell you about. Many families cannot afford, or do not have access to oral care services. Listerine wants to help, and you can help too by pledging to take the 21 Day Challenge!
For each person who pledges, LISTERINE will donate to the Smiles Across America program, which helps children in need get access to oral care. It is easy to take our routine oral care for granted, but not everyone is so lucky, as taking care of teeth and gums needs to begin when children are little, for a lifetime of healthy teeth. I didn’t realize this, but oral disease has become the most chronic childhood illness in the U.S. Things like tooth decay and experiencing severe pain, oral disease can affect important things such as eating, sleeping and learning.
In addition to children, almost half of American adult suffer from some form of periodontal disease (gum disease) and they might not even know it. It usually doesn’t cause pain, but when left untreated it can cause some major oral health problems, such as bone and teeth, and loss of soft tissue. Since many Americans (over 1 million!) don’t have dental insurance, this is a big problem.
The goal of the LISTERINE Smiles Across America program is to connect up to 210,000 children with needed oral health services in 2013 ($6.40 will be donated for every person who signs up for the challenge, up to $64,000 – this is such a wonderful and generous thing!).
You can take the pledge (easy to do!) – just head over to Listerine Smiles Across America on Facebook. While you are there make sure you take a look at a really neat reminder app where you can adopt a “pet mouth” to help keep you on track during the challenge!
Follow along with myself and other bloggers by searching the #LISTERINE hashtag on Twitter!
*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 & opinions
in this post are my own.
65 Responses
I am big on oral hygiene. We just finished up with three of us having braces so there is no way we spend that kind of money and let our kids get cavities…
Oh I agree! It can be quite costly for braces (my kids both needed two sets). That is probably another reason why I am so diligent about their oral care routines!
I did a new years resolution to floss daily. So far so good. I think maybe I should add listerine to that resolution too!
A good oral hygiene routine is so important! It’s part of my routine now, and if I don’t brush at night my mouth just feels disgusting! My family all uses listerine mouthwash every night before bed.
I brush and floss nightly but after reading this post I think I will go out and buy a bottle of mouthwash. It’s the one oral care item that I don’t use on a regular basis. 75% is a scary figure when it comes to germs!
We love their rinse – great way to freshen your breath anytime!
i don’t mind brushing, i love flossing, but mouthwash gags me, can’t gargle, at most swish it a bit until i feel nauseous.
I haven’t tried this particular listerine product, it sounds great. I do use and love the LISTERINE® WHITENING® RESTORING Fluoride Whitening Rinse and I really like it. I do not smoke which cause yellowing teeth but i do drink coffee and I can see results in my teeth being whiter using this listerine product that I mentioned.
http://www.listerine.com/products/restoring-fluoride-whitening-rinse
And I will try this review product that you have told us about. I would try the fresh citrus flavor first. Thanks great review sewitupjulie@gmail.com
I will be pledging to take the 21 Day Challenge! Thanks for sharing this important info!
Thanks for the blog post about the Listerene Challenge. I’m excited to try it–especially since there are some different flavors.
We use the original Listerine and like the clean feeling it gives.
I can’t live without my Reach Access flosser-in case of a disaster, it’s coming with me.
I loved when Listerine did a huge promotional campaign on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show”, after their rival, Scope had stated she was the most unkissable woman in America. They raised tons of money for childrens’ charitiies!
I love the Cool Mint Listerine! I have tried all the flavors but that’s my favorite =D
I have always used Listerine!
I have no dental insurance so I keep my teeth clean. The challenge is great, just can’t use Listerine, burns 🙂
My husband had big problems with mouth ulcers. Since he started using Listerine morning and night, there has been a significant decrease in how many he gets.
I really like that flosser, I think it would be worth a try.
I really like the orange listerine, and I absoluetly can’t live wihtout listerine breath strips. I’m hooked on those things!
I pledged 🙂 I love Listerine… I remember swishing away along side my dad when I was younger 🙂 It’s great to get the kids involved because memories like these will influence their daily routines in the future they will associate dental care as happy times with mom and dad!
listernie is a super product..use it
The fresh citrus looks good! I think I’m the only person who hates mint toothpaste and mouthwash- always looking for a citrus flavor 🙂
I like how Listerine makes my mouth feel even more fresh after brushing.
We are both big on dental hygiene and bi-yearly checkups. Brush, floss and Listerine twice daily and you will have a squeaky clean smile. 🙂
I will also be taking this pledge
I’ve been trying to be more diligent about my oral care routine.
I use Listerine daily. I couldn’t imagine going a day without it!
I adore their Ultracare mouth wash, but haven’t tried the other products yet. I’ll have to check them out. Thanks!
We use Listerine and floss daily. We want to keep all the teeth we have. Good oral health is important!
I brush twice a day and floss nightly but don’t normally use mouthwash. Maybe I should start?
we love a clean month
I think this is an awesome challenge. I would love to get my whole family involved also. It’s such a healthy thing to do.
I did NOT know brushing alone misses up to 75% of your mouth. WOW, that is a lot of bacteria and possible food particles left behind.
We came from a large family of 9 kids…there was no dental care unless it was an emergency. My teeth are terrible and embarrassing to me. I am so happy to hear Listerine is taking steps to help those kids and families who do not get adequate dental care. Besides the effect on learning, we know if left to get damaged teeth and gums that can also lead to heart disease later. Still will never understand that dental is only taken as a medical issue if an emergency. It is SOoo important!
I too take my oral hygiene seriously as does my entire family. We don’t use Listerine at the moment, but we have in the past and will surely again in the future. I will definitely talk to my husband and son about “Taking the Pledge” as well. Best of Luck!
id like to try those rinses,they look tasty,,an that challenge was great ,good habits to get into
It has been a long time since my family has used Listerine, but this “challenge” is great! Way to go for taking it on. I will talk to my son and husband today about taking it as well. I have bookmarked the page. All children should have access to good dental care!
We love Listerine, even more now that they are doing the Smiles Across the World program, what an amazing thing to do for other people! Thank you so much for the post!
It’s good what they’re doing, what’s the main ingredient in LIsterine? I’ve heard the ones wiht alcohol are bad to use, dry your mouth out.
My family uses Listerine every day, our dental visits have been much better. Our dentist always recommends it.
We use Listerine Daily already!
I use mouthwash daily, and Listerine is my favorite brand.
Wow, I had no idea the statistics were so high for gum disease! The Smiles Across America program sounds really great.
This is such a awesome program
I have always liked to use Listerine it just makes your mouth feel so fresh!
I like the citrus mouthwash. I have a hard time using most mouthwashes because they actually hurt my tongue, but citrus seems to be okay. Love that Listerine offers that!
Listerine is my favorite mouthwash brand. I feel it works way better than others
Reach toothbrushes are my fave. si I can’t wait to try the new floss but I’m really glad to see the different Listerine flavors!
I sometimes skip the mouthwash as part of my daily dental routine just bc mouthwash is rather expensive but I didnt know you could lose the soft tissue in your mouth from germs so I might be investing in some Listerine soon
I’m interested in trying out the orange-colored Listerine – have not seen this in the stores before, or havent paid attention.
Whoa the fact: 75% of your mouth is missed by brushing alone is really interesting….I did not know that! We used Listerine when I was growing up but nowadays, only use on a rare occasion. Looks like that bad habit needs to change!
I resolve to rinse and floss daily and brush after every meal
I had no idea that brushing alone missed 75%. that is crazy. gonna start using listerine daily.
thanks!
My dentist has recommended this for periodontal disease
The only thing my hubby uses is listerene and has used it for years! He brushes with the mouthwash too. I cannot remember the last time he has used toothpaste.
love the Reach toothbrushes! I haven’t tried any of the Ultraclean line of rinses. I will pick up one of the rinses the next time CVS has them on special
good hygeine
I love Listerine!
I pledged to take the 21 day Challenge. I use the Listerine Cool Mint
Love their products!
I used Listerine years ago but switch around with mouthwashes. will give the brand a try again.
ALWAYS have USED LISTERINE.,,,,,,GROWING UP WAS ALWAYS A PRODUCT IN THE HOUSE WE USED…GREAT PRODUCT……………….
I love listerine products..I usually buy them whenever I have coupons.
They really leave your mouth feeling fresh 🙂
Thanks for sharing! Love what they are doing, and the access flosser is something I would love to try out!
I love getting down in between my teeth to get out the gunk in between. I rely on Listerine all the time to get the best clean without the yuck after taste.
Listerene is great but sometimes it is just a little too expensive for my liking.