One of the things I miss about being a health educator is going into the schools and teaching children about things like dental health and proper oral hygiene. Halloween was the busy time of year that teachers would ask for myself and my staff to talk with the kids, as they would be eating a lot of sweets and candy. And, if the kids didn't brush and take care of their teeth, it could lead to cavities, gum disease, etc. But, while I am not longer a health educator by trade, I still get to teach about things like dental health to my girls. :-)
From the time my girls' teeth began coming in, I made a point to brush their teeth. And, now a few years later, they have all their baby teeth, and see the dentist every 6 months for a cleaning. I began educating my girls about proper dental health by reading books geared towards their age about brushing teeth, showed them on fake teeth I used to use in the classroom, and even let them practice on me, so that I could see they had the proper brushing technique down. Just like with washing your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds, I remind the girls that good teeth brushing should about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes for children. Unlike washing hands and singing the "Happy Birthday" song, I have the girls using a tooth timer so that they make sure they are getting a good brushing.
While I try to instill good habits like proper teeth brushing, there are times that the girls try to fight me on brushing. If they wake up groggy in the AM, they may not want to brush before breakfast. Or, if they are too hyper before bed, they will try to do a quick brushing or again fight me on it. When times like these occur, I need to breath :-) and then take a few moments to remind the girls about why they are brushing and if they don't keep their teeth clean, they could get cavities, painful teeth, etc. Usually after a few minutes to this, and asking them to brush or show me how they brush as I forgot, they will brush. Flossing, on the hand, is another story. This is one area that we continue to work on with the girls, especially Bella who still uses a bottle for her milk, and seems to always have plaque in between her front two teeth on the tops and bottoms. Because of this, I need to make sure she is letting me floss, so that when it comes time to see the dentist, they don't have to work hard to chip away at the plaque.
Try telling an almost 3 or 4 yr. old child that they need to let you floss their teeth. I feel like I am talking to myself half the time, as they dont' think it is important. They can't feel anything being removed -- unless I am removing popcorn or food that gets stuck in their teeth. But, I have to remind them that along with brushing, you need to floss, to keep your teeth in tip top shape. I show them that even adults brush and floss 2-3 times daily, like they do, and that as they get older, making sure they brush, even when they don't want to, is necessary for good dental health. Besides your baby teeth, you are only born with one set of teeth, and can't get a replacement.
Recently, I was sent an assortment of dental care products from LISTERINE® to use with my family.
My 7 yr. old nephew, who lives with us, even got excited about the package of LISTERINE samples, as it contained a fluoride rinse he and my niece could use, as well as different floss, to keep their teeth clean and cavity free.
LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® mouthwash is an anticavity mouthwash for kids ages six and older that:
*Based on laboratory testing. Data on file.
Savannah, my oldest, couldn't get over the different types of flosses and flavors available, and couldn't wait to try out each and every one. Hmm, a light went on in my head -- when the girls fight me about brushing and flossing, maybe if I show they an assortment of products to choose from, maybe they will be more willing to brush and floss. And, guess what? It worked!
My 7 yr. old nephew, who lives with us, even got excited about the package of LISTERINE samples, as it contained a fluoride rinse he and my niece could use, as well as different floss, to keep their teeth clean and cavity free.
LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® mouthwash is an anticavity mouthwash for kids ages six and older that:
- Provides 12-hour cavity protection
- Strengthens teeth 99% better than brushing alone*
- Provides 2.4 times more fluoride than ACT Kids mouthwash*
- Makes rinsing fun with Barbie™, Avengers™ and Phineas & Ferb rinses.
*Based on laboratory testing. Data on file.
Savannah, my oldest, couldn't get over the different types of flosses and flavors available, and couldn't wait to try out each and every one. Hmm, a light went on in my head -- when the girls fight me about brushing and flossing, maybe if I show they an assortment of products to choose from, maybe they will be more willing to brush and floss. And, guess what? It worked!
Since receiving the following sample of goodies from LISTERINE®, the girls have been busy helping me review each of the flosses, and even like the LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN® ACCESS® Flosser, which they can hold and use to floss their own teeth.
They feel like big girls, as they look into the mirror and floss between their teeth. And, the plaque I used to see between Bella's front two upper and lower teeth is almost gone, thanks to her willingness to want to brush and floss. There are days that after she has sweets or a meal that she will ask to brush, so that her breath is fresher and her teeth feel cleaner. :-) I never thought I would hear the girls say this, or ask me for their toothbrushes or to have their teeth flossed.
Bella and I both love the LISTERINE® Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss, which comes in cool mint, as it is a "soft, springy and resilient dental floss that works great at removes plaque effectively around sensitive gums."
Works great at getting into those hard to reach spaces in the back of your mouth
They feel like big girls, as they look into the mirror and floss between their teeth. And, the plaque I used to see between Bella's front two upper and lower teeth is almost gone, thanks to her willingness to want to brush and floss. There are days that after she has sweets or a meal that she will ask to brush, so that her breath is fresher and her teeth feel cleaner. :-) I never thought I would hear the girls say this, or ask me for their toothbrushes or to have their teeth flossed.
For anyone who hates to floss as they find it painful or hard to maneuver the floss between the tight spaces in between their teeth, I would highly recommend trying the LISTERINE® Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss for its springiness and softness. It really makes flossing more enjoyable and less painful.
I have also been enjoying the LISTERINE® samples sent, including the LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse.
I brush and floss daily, but I rarely used mouthwash. How about you? Do you use mouthwash daily? Back in the day I used to use mouthwashes that had a strong alcohol taste, which would deter me from using. But, after trying the LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse which I was sent recently, I was pleasantly surprised about the flavor, and how fresh it left my breath. Paired with brushing and flossing, the addition of the LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse really made my teeth feel cleaner, and my breath was fresher, and offers oral health benefits including:
• Peroxide-free for a gentler whitening experience
• Removes and prevents tough stains
• Restores enamel
• Safely whitens
• Formulated to whiten without irritation
• Kills bad breath germs
• Prevents cavities
• Helps prevent tooth decay
See, even adults may find themselves slacking when it comes to things like proper dental health. Some may skip the flossing or mouthwashing, or only brush 1 time a day. But, like I said earlier and you all know, we only have 1 set of adult teeth, and the last thing we want to do is have to go to a dentist for a filling or worse, a painful root canal due to poor dental health.
And, when I find myself on the go and needing to freshen my breath, I am loving the LISTERINE® POCKETPAKS®, which were also included in my LISTERINE sampler. These breath strips, which come in a resealable container fit in my pocket or purse, so that I can pull them out when I need to freshen my breath on the go. Available in COOL MINT®, ARCTIC BERRY, FRESH BURST® and COOL HEAT, these handy LISTERINE® POCKETPAKS® breath strips work quickly and leave your breath smelling great. Even my husband, who usually doesnt' like breath mints or fresheners, has found himself reaching for a dissoluble strip after meals. :-)
"New LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse offers effective teeth-whitening results. The unique formula safely whitens teeth and is the only leading whitening product on the market that does not contain peroxide but includes the added benefit of fluoride to restore enamel, offering a gentler, non-irritating whitening experience while simultaneously preventing cavities."
I brush and floss daily, but I rarely used mouthwash. How about you? Do you use mouthwash daily? Back in the day I used to use mouthwashes that had a strong alcohol taste, which would deter me from using. But, after trying the LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse which I was sent recently, I was pleasantly surprised about the flavor, and how fresh it left my breath. Paired with brushing and flossing, the addition of the LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse really made my teeth feel cleaner, and my breath was fresher, and offers oral health benefits including:
• Peroxide-free for a gentler whitening experience
• Removes and prevents tough stains
• Restores enamel
• Safely whitens
• Formulated to whiten without irritation
• Kills bad breath germs
• Prevents cavities
• Helps prevent tooth decay
See, even adults may find themselves slacking when it comes to things like proper dental health. Some may skip the flossing or mouthwashing, or only brush 1 time a day. But, like I said earlier and you all know, we only have 1 set of adult teeth, and the last thing we want to do is have to go to a dentist for a filling or worse, a painful root canal due to poor dental health.
And, when I find myself on the go and needing to freshen my breath, I am loving the LISTERINE® POCKETPAKS®, which were also included in my LISTERINE sampler. These breath strips, which come in a resealable container fit in my pocket or purse, so that I can pull them out when I need to freshen my breath on the go. Available in COOL MINT®, ARCTIC BERRY, FRESH BURST® and COOL HEAT, these handy LISTERINE® POCKETPAKS® breath strips work quickly and leave your breath smelling great. Even my husband, who usually doesnt' like breath mints or fresheners, has found himself reaching for a dissoluble strip after meals. :-)
"Refresh your mouth after your morning coffee, before a meeting, or to prep for a big date!"
With the kids back in school and everyone getting back into a routine, why not take a few moments to re-evaluate your dental health habits and those of your children. Could you improve in some areas? Make oral care an important part of your daily habits, and teach by example, showing your kids the importance of brushing, flossing, etc.
And, don't forget to check out the LISTERINE® YouTube page, where you can watch the Healthy Habit Heroes video series -- http://bit.ly/1ryY7Jr. I have been watching and laughing at the videos, especially the "negotiator" ones that show parents going to great lengths to get their kids to eat more fruits and vegetables and stay hydrated.
See, I am not alone in how I try to talk/negotiate with my girls to brush and even try new foods. I can't wait to hear which videos make you smile and laugh, so be sure to share them with me in the comments section below. :-)
To learn more about LISTERINE® and their products, including the ones I shared above, visit: http://www.listerine.com/.
Having trouble locating Listerine products in your areas? Head on over to http://www.listerine.com/shop-now to find stores in your area, as well as online retailers like Amazon.com, Drugstore. com and Soap.com, to name a few.
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Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf ofInfluence Central for LISTERINE. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.
I love Listerine products especially their mouth wash it just make my mouth feel nice and clean.
ReplyDeleteheather [email protected]