Join Me? Listerine 21-Day Challenge

I sometimes get panic attacks at the dentist.

True story.

Which is why right before the novocaine shot goes in, the dental hygienist usually starts patting my hand.

And why the dentist asks me every two minutes, “How are you doing? Everything still ok?”

I’ve never been visibly in distress but I guess they can read my face pretty well.

Which means two things:

I should never play poker.

And I should keep this dentist.

And I don’t. And I intend to.

So because I don’t love going to the dentist (and really, who does?), I do everything I can to ensure good oral hygiene. Always and forever, amen.

I am religious about changing our toothbrushes every few months. And always right after any one is sick.

I have toothbrush caps on all of our toothbrushes.

Because ick. Do you know how many germs are floating around?

We go for regular check-ups and cleanings. Brush regularly. Floss. Repeat.

And, well, only occasionally use mouthwash.

Which is why the 21-Day Challenge from the folks at Listerine intrigued me.

For two reasons.

1 – Because everyone should probably be more diligent about using mouthwash.

2 – Because in the materials they sent over, they said that brushing misses 75% of what’s going on in your mouth.

For realz.

And so even though, I’m as serious as a heart attack when it comes to oral hygiene, it’s time to take it to the next level. For the next three weeks, we are all about the mouthwash. In addition to our regular brushing, flossing, and the like. Madeline has been asking about using mouthwash for the past few weeks, so this is perfect timing. If you want to join us, you can find everything you need at Target. Both for the Listerine 21-Day Challenge, and all those other random needs that wind up in your shopping cart when you go there. I know you know what I mean.

And beyond just improving your own mouth care, Listerine wants to use this challenge to help children in need. For every person who posts a “Swish Selfie” to LISTERINE^® Brand’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/listerine), LISTERINE^® Brand will make a $5.00 contribution to Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America^® program, up to $85,000, toward their goal of connecting 210,000 children with needed oral health services in 2014.

And that’s pretty awesome.

And tomorrow? Valentine’s Day in Review. Swear.

I received a Target gift card to purchase LISTERINE^® Brand 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 and opinions expressed in this post are my own.