Healthy Habits for A Lifetime Oral Care

Oral care is something that has long been a concern of mine. I know that healthy teeth and gums are incredibly important. I didn't become concerned until I was in my early 20's. I mean I brushed my teeth my entire life and sometimes flossed but there was something about having braces as an adult that made me turn into an oral care fanatic.

I brushed twice a day. I flossed daily. I used mouthwash and a tongue scraper daily too. I saw a dentist every six months for regular cleanings. I have healthy teeth and gums.

I want my kids to have these same habits but I have often found that with kids, practicing good oral care is a constant struggle.

6 Healthy Habits that Promote Weight Loss  |  Supplementing Your Healthy Habits  |  Girl Scout Healthy Habits Journey Program  |  Listerine and Reach for Healthy Habits  |  Creating Healthy Digital Habits for Families  |  Healthy Habits to Share with Your Family This Winter

Did you know?

• Nearly 75 percent of American adults suffer from various forms of periodontal (gum) disease* and don’t know it.

• Brushing your teeth alone misses the germs in 75 percent of your mouth.

• According to a survey conducted by the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH®, over one-third of Americans don’t eat their favorite foods or smile in photos because of dental problems like cavities, tooth pain and gingivitis.

• Even sadder, 15 percent don’t kiss their loved ones.

With the kids, we set good oral care examples and they generally follow suit. We brush at least twice a day. We floss. We use mouthwash.

My kids see the dentist regularly. They have told us every time that my kids teeth are in excellent condition. No cavities and they appear to be regularly brushed.

But my kids have a lot to do with that too. They don't drink a lot of soda. They drink a ton of water. Every single day. They also love milk and dairy. Like I said, they do tons of things right. I am proud of them.

Here are some tips below from pediatric dentist, Dr. Kaneta Lott, DDS:

Make oral care fun (e.g., make it a game; brush, floss and rinse to music; etc).
Reward their behavior (e.g., give gold stars for good oral care).
Show, don’t tell – make oral care a family affair.
Involve them in their own oral care routine by providing products like LISTERINE® Smart Rinse, which can make the daily routine more fun, provides 12-hour cavity protection for kids and strengthens teeth 99 percent better than brushing alone.

In order to keep my kids brushing, we follow many of the tips above. We make brushing fun. They pick out their own toothbrushes and their own toothpaste. If they want mouthwash, I buy that for them too. They love to get flossers as well. Whatever they want when it comes to oral care, we do it! We are that committed!

To learn more about the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life.™ initiative, visit www.MyHeartMyLife.org.

To hear more about improving your oral care routine and see an educational message from professional snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler, visit www.Listerine.com.

And shop smart for your oral care products at www.Walmart.com.

I received products and compensation from Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the Oral Care Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.