Improving Our Dental Health Habits One Day at a Time with the Help of LISTERINE Products the Whole Family Can Use #MC #Sponsored #Listerine #healthyhabits

Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for LISTERINE® . I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

A couple of weeks ago I shared a post about how I was working to improve the health habits of my family, with the help of some wonderful LISTERINE®  products I was sent. Today, I wanted to share an update on how things are going, and rave about a few of my favorite LISTERINE®  products that we are loving, and that have helped improve our overall dental care.

If you follow my blog then you probably have heard me share about how I used to be a health educator before becoming a stay-at-home.  You would think being a health educator by trade and having taught the importance of dental health in schools and the community, that my family would have great oral health habits.  Quite the contrary, especially with two children under the age of 5 yrs. old.  Not only do I have to fight with them to brush at least twice a day, but I also struggle to get them brush for a minimum of 2 minutes and not just stand there and chew on the bristles.  

I have tried so many tactics to teach better oral health care with my girls, from rewarding them when they brush right, have a sticker chart to track their healthy brushing habits, and have even bought musical and light up toothbrushes, which don't work at all, as they are more into dancing to the music (if they can hear it) or watching the flashing lights on the toothbrush.  With so many struggles to get the girls to brush consistently and correctly, I found myself slacking on flossing their teeth.  

So, when I was given the opportunity to try out LISTERINE®  products for the whole family and asked to share about ways I am improving my family's oral health, flossing the girls teeth and using mouthwash for my husband I were top on my lists of things to work on.  And, thanks to the amazing LISTERINE® product offering, for all teeth types, we are making improvements and feeling better and have brighter, healthier smiles as a result. :-)

Out of all the LISTERINE®  goodies sent last month, I have to say that our favorites were the LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse, LISTERINE^® Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss and the handy LISTERINE® POCKETPAKS® breath strips, which I was sent in fresh burst.

I, personally, have sensitive teeth and gums due to my radiation treatment for head and neck cancer back in 2008.  Although maintain proper dental health and good oral hygiene is key to keeping my teeth in tip top shape, I also have to be aware at the different types of products I use, due to my sensitive teeth and gums.  I can't use mouthwashes and rinses that have alcohol as I have a dry mouth and this only makes it work.  The alcohol also inflames my gums, making them painful. This is one reason why I stopped using mouthwash after brushing, as I couldn't find a brand I liked and that was gentle enough for my teeth.  But, after trying LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse, which contains no alcohol, I now have my go-to mouthwash for fresher, cleaner breath.  

"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."

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

As far as floss, I have been using and loving LISTERINE^® Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss --- Again, for those with sensitive teeth and gums in mind, this is a great floss, as it  a soft woven floss instead of stiff string, which I find also irritates my gums, and can be moved in and out of the sides of my teeth with ease, without getting stuck or cutting my gums.

The girls and I 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."

 

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.

My husband, although he doesn't have sensitive teeth, has been sneaking my LISTERINE^® Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss and LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse supply, and also loves them.  I ended up going out the other day to pick him up his own supply. :-)

In addition to the LISTERINE^® Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss and LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ GENTLE Rinse, both my husban and I are also fans of the LISTERINE POCKETPAKS.  These breath strips are great for carrying around in your pocket, stashing in your purse, glove box, etc., and pulling out a dissolvable strip to pop in your mouth, when you need to quickly freshen your breath.  They are not overpowering or leave you with a funny taste or chalky feel in your mouth, like other breath mints and breath strips.  I love the fresh minty breath I have seconds after I pop one of the strips in my mouth. :-)

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 doesn't 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!"

So, while we will continue to work on improving and maintaing proper oral hygiene in our home, with the help of LISTERINE^®, we are well on our way of getting gold stars each day for a job well done!  Our teeth are sparkling and our breath is fresher.  And, can you believe, the girls are getting excited about brushing the right way, and having me floss their teeth like big girls. :-)

Maybe it is time for you 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.

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.  :-)

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To learn more about LISTERINE^®, including the products I mentions above and others available in local retail stores near you, 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.

Don't forget to follow LISTERINE^® on their social media pages to stay up-to-date on new product additions, special offers and money saving coupon opportunities, and more...

LISTERINE^® on Facebook

LISTERINE^® on YouTube 

Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for LISTERINE. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

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LISTERINE Helps Improve Families' Oral Health Habits w/ Their Assorted Product Line for Kids and Adults #MC #Sponsored

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.

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:

• 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.  

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.  

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."

 

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.  

"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.

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Easter Gift Ideas -- FireFly Light Up Timer Toothbrushes (Review)

"Invented by a dad and his young daughter, FireFly flashing toothbrush encourages kids to brush more thoroughly than regular toothbrushes.

FireFly light up timer kids toothbrush lights up and flashes for 60 seconds, the dentist recommended time for kids to thoroughly brush each row of teeth. The light can be activated easily by a press of a button or tap on the bottom of the brush, allowing children to learn and take charge of their brushing at a young age.

FireFly Toothbrushes have already helped millions of kids establish good brushing habits. The flashing toothbrush comes in a variety of fun styles and colors including Barbie, Spider Man or Hot Wheels. Have your child pick out his or her FireFly Toothbrush at one of our fine retailers today! The brushes also feature soft, rounded bristles that are gentle to young gums, and ergonomic designs appropriate to children's small hands.  They are priced from $0.98 to $3.00. "

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My Thoughts:

I was recently sent samples of FireFly's line of character light up timer toothbrushes for children ages 3-12 yrs. of age.  Savannah was excited when she saw the Hello Kitty toothbrush, and asked if she could have that one.  Besides the soft bristles, I loved how this toothbrush also came with cap that you can put over the toothbrush bristles when not in use, to prevent germs or other air borne particles from getting on the toothbrush. This is also a great feature for traveling with your toothbrush.

So, what makes this and other light up toothbrushes from FireFly great?  Each character toothbrush, when activated by a push of a button on the handle, will light up for exactly one minute, which is the proper brushing time for each arch.  When the toothbrush stops blinking, this is the sign for children to spit out, rinse and push the button one more time, and then move to the second row of teeth, to finish their brushing routine.  Now, children don't have to ask or wonder if they are done brushing their teeth at bedtime.

Now that Savannah is brushing her teeth on her own, I have been looking for a fun way to keep her engaged long enough to properly brush her teeth.  In the past, I tried musical toothbrushes, but this only seemed to distract her.  And, basic character toothbrushes don't keep her engaged or excited about brushing.  Instead, she just likes to carry the toothbrush around.  But, with the light up feature of the toothbrushes, really work in getting her excited each day about brushing.  Right now, she thinks that the toothbrush stays lit because she is doing such a good job at brushing her teeth. :-)  When the light goes out, she gives it a little shake and pushes the button, and then finishes up her brushing.  

Even Arabella is getting in on the fun of brushing her teeth, and learning proper dental hygiene with this toothbrush.  And, with Easter right around the corner, why not add one of these fun character light up toothbrushes from FireFly, to your child's Easter basket.  I grew up receiving a new toothbrush at Halloween, Christmas and Easter, as these were the special occasions when I would receive the most candy.  My mom would always make a point to discuss the importance of brushing our teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, in order to keep our teeth strong and cavity free.  If only they had these fun light up toothbrushes when I was growing.  I would have definitely asked Santa for them. :-)  And, now I am carrying on the tradition of giving toothbrushes to my girls and nieces and nephews for the holidays.  I can't wait to see what my nieces and nephews think of their Firefly toothbrushes.  I am guessing they will love them just as much as Savannah and Arabella do.  Now my girls ask for their light up toothbrushes when we start their bedtime routine. :-) If you struggle with your children when it comes to brushing their teeth in the morning and/or bedtime, why not give one of these cute light up toothbrushes from FireFly a try? 

 Don't forget to follow FireFly on Facebook to stay up-to-date on new addition to their children's toothrbush line, as well as receive special offer.

--BUY NOW--

FireFly toothbrushes, including their line of light up timer toothbrushes, as well as their Stage 1 Light Up Toothbrushes (perfect for toddler and beginner brushers) are sold at your local Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and online at drugstore.com.

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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