The Great Hubbell Family Oral Care Challenge!

I grew up with diligent parents, a pediadontist I adored, and fluoridated water that all contributed to not having a single cavity until adulthood. So you can imagine my shock when my five year old baby came away from the dentist visit with a mouthful of cavities requiring three gold crowns. It was traumatic enough for me to write about.

Oral care has never been my strong suit. I hate flossing and going to the dentist, but I know it's important. So when I was invited to take part in the Listerine Smart Rinse Sweet Smart Oral Care Challenge, I agreed, knowing my family and I really do need to focus on keeping our teeth healthy.

Those participating in the challenge met with Dr. Kaneta Lott to learn more about good dental habits. She's a dentist and what she had to say was truly enlightening.

Did you know that brushing alone missed 75% of your mouth? Brushing, flossing and rinsing with something like Listerine Smart Rinse strengthens teeth 99% better than brushing alone. Dr. Lott explained that the rinse acts like a magnet and attracts the small particles that brushing misses so that they are spit out.

Now full disclosure, my gums bleed whenever I floss. Because I don't floss often enough. Dr. Lott explained that clean teeth do not bleed, and that only five days of good brushing, flossing and rinsing will really get them clean so that they don't bleed anymore. I'm ready to accept that challenge!

For the next two weeks me and my kids will be brushing AND flossing AND rinsing with the Smart Rinse twice a day. I have a magnetic dry erase calendar chart that I will stick to the bathroom mirror to make sure we do it. After each day of good oral care they will get a star. At the end of the two week challenge they will be rewarded!

The makers or Listerine have also teamed up with a great organization called America's Tooth Fairy. These great people have educated 135,000 kids in good dental health, providing them with the tools to care for their teeth. They have a great kid's club you can sign up for and then they will send your child  a personalized letter from the tooth fairy! You can check out their Halloween campaign to help eliminate pediatric oral disease and get involved.

Did you know fruit snacks (gummies) are THE worst treat for your kids' teeth? You're better off with something chocolate or non-sticky.

Disclosure: I received products from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the Challenge. As always, my words are still my own.