I received LISTERINE® brand products and a Walgreens gift card from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE® 21-Day Challenge.

LISTERINE® 21-Day Challenge

Sign up for the LISTERINE® 21-Day challenge and you will have a a daily opportunity to instantly win exciting prizes including a Fitbit, a $100 Container Store Gift Card or an Amazon Fire TV! For every seven consecutive days you swish, you’ll be entered into one of the sweepstakes drawings for the grand prize. Your teeth will also feel noticeably cleaner in the morning! I have signed up and picked home organizational Peter Walsh as my personal coach. I get free tips on how to organize from him. You can also choose from experts in fitness and nutrition to be your guide. Who did you pick?

My kids like to rinse with mouthwash more than they like to brush. They sometimes try to sneak and just use rinse without brushing! Now that they are getting older, I can talk to them about how important it is to do both. Brushing and rinsing gives 2X better cavity protection vs brushing alone.

5 ways to encourage kids to brush and rinse:

1. Find the right flavor. 

Kids may be refusing to brush and/or rinse with mouthwash because they do not like the flavor. I have a couple kids who refuse to use “spicy” (their word for minty) toothpaste. So I buy their toothpaste and mouthwash in fruity and bubblegum flavors. LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® for KIDS comes in kid-friendly, alcohol-free flavors: Mint, Bubblegum and Berry Shield.

2. Let kids pick out a new toothbrush.

There’s something exciting about a new toothbrush. I let my kids pick out their toothbrushes to get them pumped up about brushing their teeth. I don’t know why, but it works.

3. Get encouragement from their favorite characters.

My kids are much more likely to try a product when they see their favorite characters on the package. LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® bottles feature familiar faces from Marvel comics, Phineas and Ferb, and Disney. Some of our favorite bottles have been Marvel and the Frozen characters. I mean, have you taken a look at Olaf’s teeth? Olaf is a wonderful example of how white and shiny teeth should be!

4. Make brushing, flossing and rinsing FUN.

Play a game, use a sticker rewards chart, or listen to their favorite songs while they practice good oral care habits. LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® tints any food particles left behind by brushing so you can see them when you spit in the sink. My kids like to hold competitions to see who has the least amount of particles show up in the sink.

LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® is recommended for kids ages 6 and up. (Kids younger than 6 tend to swallow mouthwash instead of spitting it out.)

5. Frequent friendly reminders.

I still have to remind all 4 of my boys – even the oldest, who is 11 years old – to brush their teeth and rinse with mouthwash morning and night. I think that’s just the norm around here until they grow up and move out of the house. Then I’ll probably still call or send them a daily text reminder to make sure they are taking care of their teeth every day. I know people who hang up cute decorative signs that say things like “Brush Your Teeth” in the bathroom. I say it’s great to do whatever works at your house. Parents have to keep on top of things to make sure kids develop good oral care habits.

My #MomFail and my latest tips for dealing with a preschooler’s mouth.

My youngest is 3 years old and is by far the most challenging mouth for me to deal with. I thought he was doing an okay job brushing on his own, but his most recent dental checkup proved otherwise. He had to have quite a bit of dental work done to fix his cavities. It is something I do not want either one of us to have to go through again. It was a really bad #MomFail on my part. I have now made it a daily chore of mine to personally brush his teeth morning and night until he gets old enough to do a better job by himself.

The easiest way for me to fit taking care of his teeth into my routine is to brush his teeth when I brush my teeth. I don’t forget to brush MY teeth – so it’s a good time to remember to brush his, too. In case that plan doesn’t work, I have a Plan B: Put a kid’s toothbrush and toothpaste in every bathroom. My son has a toothbrush in my bathroom and in the boys’ shared bathroom. I will eventually catch him in one place or the other and remember to brush his teeth. It’s easier when everything I need is handy right there in the room.

It is never too late to develop healthy habits in yourself and your kids. Are you ready to get started? You have nothing to lose – sign up to start your LISTERINE® 21-Day Challenge today! Visit Walgreens to shop for wellness products to help you on your way, including LISTERINE®.

What is your current oral care routine? Do you brush, floss and rinse daily? Do you have any tips to share for helping kids develop healthy brushing and rinsing habits? What works at your house?