I Passed The Listerine Challenge ~ $100 Giveaway

Last month, I accepted Listerine’s challenge to add flossing and rinsing to my daily routine. My husband and daughter also accepted the challenge, but since they were already good flossers it wasn’t much of a challenge for them. Me on the other hand, it was a challenge. Now for the results…

I flossed most days, and I rinsed everyday!

I admit, I am still not a full-time flosser, but I made great progress considering how very rarely I flossed before. I actually liked the new floss (Reach Total Care Plus Whitening) vs my my ancient floss, but I insist on using the old stuff because I won’t let it go to waste… So the my husband (who hates my old floss) will probably use up all the good stuff 🙂 I would say on average, I flossed every other night. A BIG step for me, I assure you.

When I started the challenge, I thought the rinse would be the hardest part because I really don’t like the taste of the Listerine Antiseptic, and I thought that’s what all Listerine was. So I was leery about putting that biting taste in my mouth. I am pleased to report that “Smart Rinse” is totally different. There’s no bite, just cool mint. I actually liked the taste. So if you are afraid of Listerine, I hightly recommend giving Smart Rinse a shot.

The first time I used Smart Rinse, I was surprised to see little clumps when I spit. There were no clumps going in… So I read the bottle (of course) and learned that those clumps are the Smart Rinse sticking to bad bacteria that brushing missed. Ewwwww. Now that’s incentive to rinse!

Because I wasn’t sure how my rinse challenge would go, I started with the smallest bottle I was sent. That way I could donate the larger unopened bottle if I hated it. I am pleased to show you that my small bottle is almost gone, and I WILL be using the larger bottle of Smart Rinse. (Although I still think I am going to donate the Listerine antiseptic – I like the Smart Rinse, why mess with success?)

Listerine Smart Rinse

Yes, that’s Batman, and no not all Smart Rinse has Batman on it. That’s just what I was sent for the challenge.

My daughter spotted the Barbie Smart Rinse that I was sent immediantly and wanted to try it. Because I am not about to discourage her from wanting to do something for her oral hygene we gave it a shot. The recommended age for Smart Rinse is six because little ones are not very good at spitting… The bathroom mirror is proof a four-year-old has a hard time spitting! LOL. For now we are practicing with water, but she is holding on to her bottle to try again soon.

Overall, I am very pleased that I took the challenge and with my personal results. As my husband said, “If it takes a blog challenge to get you to floss, go for it.” (Anyone know of any blog challenges to keep a cleaner home?)

I am still not the perfect flosser, but I will continue to floss more if for no other reason than to set the right example for my girls. After all they are my top priority, and I want to make sure they grow up to take good care of themselves!

Ready to take your own oral care challenge? Get tips for adults and kids from Listerine.

GIVEAWAY – One lucky reader will win LISTERINE® and REACH® product samples to step-up their oral care routine and a $100 Walmart gift card to continue the healthy habit.

To enter – Please use the Rafflecopter form below to take advantage of your entry opportunities.

MANDATORY ENTRY MUST BE LEFT AS COMMENT ON BLOG POST BELOW– then you can check off in Rafflecopter that you did it. Otherwise, all other entries will be invalid. (Click instructions for what to comment about.)

*** PLEASE be sure to read instructions in Rafflecopter form as to what to comment about.***

No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia, Eighteen (18) years of age or older. Sweepstakes end March 30, 2012. Prize(s) provided by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products, a division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. Void where prohibited. See Official Rules for complete details: http://www.themotherhood.com/blog/?p=4832.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure – This post is brought to you by Listerine and TheMotherhood, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

401 thoughts on “I Passed The Listerine Challenge ~ $100 Giveaway”

  1. We have a monthly contest and everyone who brushes and flosses twoice a day gets a prize (small) at the end of the month.

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  2. I have braces and am very dedicated to my oral routine and I think if people see you brushing, flossing and talking about tooth health then they will be more likely to follow.

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  3. I let them pick out their own toothbrushes and toothpaste and they get demonstrations on how to brush from their dentist.

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  4. Stick to a routine! And with my daughter, I get to brush her teeth, then she gets a turn, so she will learn what a good brushing should be like.

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  5. Our kids visit the dentist twice a year. They love the little floss samples. So, for a little while they step up their oral hygiene.

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  6. I buy my son tooth brushes and tooth paste with his favorite characters on him to encourage him to want to brush his teeth!

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  7. I encourage my kids to brush their teeth by brushing with them, using a color changing mouthwash that shows the dirty plaque/germs left behind and I tell them the truth about what the dentist does about cavities.

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  8. I try to be a good example for my daughter. I think its very important that she sees by my example how to take good care of teeth. By brushing, flossing and rinsing.

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  9. DDs are always happy to pick up their own brushes and flavored toothpastes. This is how I encourage them to engage in healthy oral care habits.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

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  10. Stick to a routing and make it fun and add incentives – like “let’s brush our teeth and then we will read a bed time story”

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  11. Our Son’s oral care is very important to us. He has a ‘toothbrush chart’ that we put stickers on. Every time he brushes his teeth, he gets to pick out a sticker to put on the chart.

    We change the chart each month.

    He loves stickers so this is a great way to make sure he brushes twice a day and, as of yet, no cavities!

    Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity.

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  12. My kids are grown but I brush and floss daily and I like to buy different kinds of toothpaste.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  13. I let my family members select their favorite toothpastes, and I also serve as a great example by flossing and brushing multiple times a day!

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  14. We let our daughter pick out her own toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash flavors so she is exited to brush her teeth.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

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  15. I do that Santa message for my kids every year, and last year I made the deciding factor for the good list whether or not they brushed their teeth. So now any time I get any grief about brushing teeth, I just tell them that Santa is watching. 😉 Rylie actually loves to brush, but Bryce needs some encouragement now and then.

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  16. I just tell our children to go in the bathroom and brush their teeth, and they do; and every six months, they go to the dentist for a checkup and cleaning.

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  17. I don’t have kids, but I was a my boss’s house a few weeks ago. When she sent the kids off to brush their teeth she told one to hurry up so she’s got the clean sink. I guess just make it fun?!

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  18. Make sure that they are aware that good oral hygiene means less or no cavities, which means that they would only go to the dentist for cleaning.

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  19. We use electric toothbrushes that vibrate every 30 seconds so they know to switch the teeth they are cleaning. Plus we brush as a family and hum a song some nights to make it fun.

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  20. Remind the kids how much they enjoy the good comments from the dentist and that they avoid having cavities to fill.

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  21. I tell my children a healthy mouth is less frequent visits to the dentist. They also have toothbrushes that are their favorite characters. Thanks for the giveaway!

    katbirdfl (at) gmail (dot) com

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  22. My best tip- keep a supply of Sugarfree/sugarless gum in the house & in your pocket- won’t harm your teeth and you’re less likely to snack between meals.

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  23. I have a routine for the children after breakfast they brush their teeth, when they come home from school and before bedtime. Now it’s a habit for them (lol)

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  24. I had my mom show my kids what happens when you don’t brush your teeth. You see, she has dentures and took her teeth out to show the kids. They were grossed out…lol.

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  25. i like to try out the newest products, and my daughter, who is 14, will try them, then give me her opinion. she thinks its fun, and i know that she is getting good oral care! as long as we keep getting the samples, this will keep working! 😉

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  26. I make brushing a little more interesting by having available 2 or 3 different toothpastes with flavors we like, so we can change things up a little.

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  27. My kids have the toothbrushes that sing the abcs & counts so they love brushing their teeth..Not only do they like the songs but they are learning at the same time!

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  28. I leave my son’s toothbrush on the middle of the counter top so he can’t miss it.

    If I’m being honest, he still does sometimes. Grrr! But I keep talking to him and leaving it out.

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  29. the kids brush their teeth to a song that is 2 mins long..they know that while its going they brush when its over they are done

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  30. I let my kids pick out thier own kids toothbrushes and mouthwash. We also have a timer for when they brush their teeth.

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  31. I don’t have any tips, I just try to make it fun for them. I buy whatever toothbrush, toothpaste and mouth wash they want. It makes it more fun for them. thank you!

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  32. For us, we mostly need to remind our kid to brush and take her time each day. It’s a habit, but not fully ingrained yet. 🙂

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  33. I recommend flossing in the shower – it converted me to a daily flosser about ten years ago. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  34. Getting our kids really cool toothbrushes and products help them want to bursh more. Also, we set rules. They can’t play on their Kindle’s unless they have brushed!

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  35. Make brushing and rinsing part of the bedtime routine. Also, buy products that taste good to encourage kids to brush more often.

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  36. I stressed the importance of good oral hygiene. I really never had a problem with them when they were little. If I did I just reminded them of grama teeth (thats what they called my gma because of false teeth) looks like without the teeth! lol

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  37. I make sure we all go to the dentist every 6 months. I also help my 4 yr old daughter brush every night and make sure I explain why it’s so important!

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  38. For the kids, we found songs on our kids CD’s that were 1 minute long and play them while they brush. They dance around as they brush and always forget how long they are actually brushing for.

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  39. I’m just honest with them. We don’t have dental insurance, and every extra dollar I have to spend at the dentist, is less I get to spend on fun stuff! It works for us!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

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  40. we use a timer to make sure the kids bruch for 2min 3xs a day works round here they love to k\listen for the “ding”

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  41. I try to always have their favorite flavor of toothpaste so they are more interested in brushing.

    shawn113(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  42. The children always have toothbrushes in their favorite colors (which are, luckily, all different!), which encourages them to use them!

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  43. Let children choose their own toothbrushes and toothpaste, within reason. Always check to see if they really brushed and didn’t just pull the “wet the brush” trick.

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  44. Remind and nag as much as needed. They may hate you for it at the time, but it will pay off! wgbc1446[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  45. We have a sticker chart and if we fill up the entire week with stickers for brushing and flossing after breakfast and before bed, we get a special trip to the toy store on Sunday. 🙂

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  46. I tell my daughter the importance and what can happen to your teeth if you do not brush and take care of them. Plus I have lost many teeth, because I did not take care of them right, so she can see what happens.

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  47. We brush as a family and make funny sounds and faces while we brush. I have a 4 year old and 18 month old sons so I think they really just like being allowed to spit

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  48. my daughters have their favorite characters atooth brushes and that makes brushing more fun

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

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  49. well this may be funny or not but I always tell my grandkids the importance of taking care of their teeth by brushing and flossing. I reminds them of my teeth…(Dentures) I just point to my mouth and they go right upstairs to brush.

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  50. We make a routine of how to brush (how many time each side and how long etc) so they develop good habits. My son even goes to brush after eating anything sugary!

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  51. Make it a fun activity for them. Show them that you find it fun, too. Showing them that you’re brushing your teeth too, and love taking care of your teeth will hopefully show them that it’s a fun and good thing to do.

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  52. Consistency. We have our son brush twice a day, every day without fail at approximately the same time. Now he’s so used to it he does it by himself!

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  53. Those toothbrushes that play a tune that’s the length that they should be brushing are fun-they make it into a game!

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  54. I try to make brushing fun for my son by being silly and making it a fun thing, not just a chore 🙂

    bakergurl02 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  55. we encouraged the brushing and rinsing and flossing at an early age. we also make sure we make all our trips to the dentist!

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  56. I tell my 3 and 4 year old I am going to “tickle their teeth” so that they will let me finish up their brushing and get into those places that they haven’t perfected getting to yet.

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  57. For the younger children I buy toothpaste that won’t burn their mouth and pleasant flavored flosspicks. I also have a two minute timer and the brush your teeth song for them to brush along with

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  58. My best tip is to let the child choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste so they’re an active participant; also, set a good example by making a big deal out of mom and dad brushing their teeth

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  59. We always used a rewards system when she was little (3, 4) we had a chart, every time she brushed when asked, she got a check. If all the boxes were checked off at the end of the week, she got to choose McDonald’s or a small toy. After a while we no longer had to remind her to brush, it was automatic

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  60. Getting new character toothbrushes and flavored children’s toothpaste makes Liz and Tristan want to brush their teeth.

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  61. My family members are older so I remind them of the cost of fillings as well as the fact neither of my parents had teet (had dentures) because of poor oral care

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  62. Right now since my kids are young, I try to set a good example. They see me brushing my teeth after meals. I also help them brush their teeth.

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  63. I buy the fire-fly toothbrushes that light up which is fun and also provide a timed brushing for them. Also, CONSTANTLY telling them to bursh their teeth…

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  64. I like to make a poster for the kids that they can add stickers to as they brush, floss, etc. each day. We also include floss in Easter baskets and stockings. They get excited about it! 🙂

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  65. We always brush after meals when at home, and we make a point to all brush together at night, even though our daughter goes to sleep much earlier than the rest of us.

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  66. I buy flavors they like and I do as I say. Set the example and they will follow, but make sure to check and make sure they are doing.

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  67. I don’t have any really good tips. I have to follow my kids around every day to make sure they are brushing and flossing

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  68. Always keep the toothbrush and floss somewhere where it will remind you to do both every time you go into the bathroom! 🙂

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  69. I encourage my family to brush their teeth after every meal and in the morning/night. I also encourage them to floss/use mouthwash.

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  70. I get them toothpaste and toothbrushes that they like, and that are fun for them. Right now, we have musical timer toothbrushes that keeps them wanting to brush.

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  71. Brush your teeth when you wake up and right before you go to bed. I’ve never had an issue (yet) with them no cooperating. 🙂

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  72. We’ve always just made it part of the process of getting up in the morning and before going to bed so they don’t think it is even a chore, just a normal part of the day.

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  73. We’ve recently discovered toothbrushes that light up for one minute, teaching kids how long to brush their teeth. I highly recommend them!

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  74. Do not put off dentist checkups especially if you feel pain. If the dentist says nothing is wrong but it still hurts go somewhere else! 😀

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  75. I recently bought the kids toothbrushes that they decorate themselves and they really love them. They look at the stickers every time they brush!

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  76. We try to brush together as a family at night. It makes it fun for them.

    fb/ shirley greenawalt zolenski
    twitter, gfc, stumble/ daveshir2005
    google +/ shirley pebbles

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  77. We always brush in the morning and again at night and have teeth cleaned twice a year at the dentist. Thanks for having the contest!

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  78. If I had children I’d make sure they have a bath every day, and brush our teeth together & floss twice a day.. I also wouldn’t give them anything sweet before bed time so that they can wind down. Thank you for the contest. 🙂

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  79. My best tip is to make brushing and flossing fun rather than seeming like a chore – incorporate songs and skits, colorful brushes and paste, and do it all as a family to make it part of your daily ritual. Thanks!

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  80. Hello, how are you? Thank you for this opportunity. I encourage the children to floss, brush and rinse by demonstrating. A little song and dance does not hurt. Make it fun.

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  81. Thanks for the giveaway…best advice is to be consistant; brush teeth in bathroom so kids know it is an essential task.

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  82. We have made index cards for getting ready for bed, and lots of them are dedicated to dental health…and playing music to make it fun!

    Reply

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