I received LISTERINE® brand products from Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc., and The Motherhood as part of my participation in this LISTERINE® campaign. All opinions expressed in the blog post are my own.

Not that long ago, I was at a Cub Scouts meeting with my son and noticed one of the other boy’s teeth. He had a great smile, but for the two large spots of tooth decay on his front teeth. My first thought was that I wanted to find his parents and ask if I could help them get dental care. I just assumed he wasn’t taking care of his teeth at home. But because I was afraid to offend his parents, I didn’t say anything at all. Maybe they were aware of his cavities. I didn’t want to embarrass anyone, especially the child.

Ever since that night, I think about that little boy and how his cavities may be causing him pain. I also think about how the tooth decay is having such a negative impact on his appearance. I really hope someone is taking him to the dentist and teaching him how to care for his teeth at home. He’s a kid now, but one day his poorly-cared-for teeth may prevent him from making friends, getting a job and feeling good about himself.

A recent national survey by LISTERINE® revealed that while 8 in 10 Americans (83%) believe they have a healthy mouth, nearly everyone suffers from some form of oral disease. The good news is that many of these oral diseases can be prevented by adding LISTERINE® to a twice-daily oral care routine.

Just brushing your teeth is simply not good enough. Brushing alone misses 75% of your mouth, leaving millions of germs behind. Those leftover germs can eventually lead to plaque and gingivitis. The solution? Rinse with LISTERINE®.  My husband and I rinse with LISTERINE® Antiseptic morning and night. It cleans virtually 100% of your mouth for up to five times healthier gums in two weeks and up to nine times healthier gums in four weeks.

My kids love to rinse with LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® For Kids. It comes in a variety of kid-friendly flavors that help them want to get into a good rinsing habit morning and night.

Poor oral hygiene in childhood can lead to issues such as cavities, gum disease and lost teeth in adulthood. Most of us adults (91%) have had at least one cavity by the age of 20. And nearly 1 in 4 of us have untreated cavities! Another shocking statistic is that nearly half of American adults (47%) over age 30 suffer from gum disease. In adults 65 and over, the prevalence of gum disease increases to 70%. And 64% of Americans aged 20-64 have lost a tooth due to oral disease. To learn more about the LISTERINE® Brand survey, click here.

Even if you have good oral health care habits, you still need to visit the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. This is true for adults and children. I love that we have found a kids dentist my children look forward to visiting. We have been on a regular preventative care schedule for several years now. This has made all the difference in helping me take care of my children’s teeth. Taking my kids to the dentist is one of the most important things I can do for their health now and in the future.

Tips For Taking Your Kids To the Dentist

Start visiting your child’s dentist by the time they turn one. Yes, it seems early, but it’s really not. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts. Your child needs to be checked for tooth decay, plus it is good to let your child become familiar with the dentist’s office from an early age. As they get older, going to the dentist won’t seem as scary to them (hopefully!) It’s good experience.

Take your child to a pediatric dentist. A kid-friendly dental office can be a fun place! Plus, pediatric dental office staff are used to dealing with children, and they are good at it. They know how to make kids of all ages feel as comfortable as possible, and even let mom and dad stay in the room. Our pediatric dentist’s office has a hang out area for kids in the waiting room complete with toys, a video gaming console and Disney movies on constant play. My kids actually get excited when it is time to go in for a check-up. Plus, at the end of every visit, kids get to pick a prize out of the prize box.

Practice good oral health care habits at home and follow any special instructions your dentist may give for taking care of your child’s teeth. Teach your children how to brush, floss and rinse. If they are too young to do a good job brushing on their own, you’ll have to do it for them.

If your child has a toothache, go see the dentist as soon as possible. A toothache is often caused by a cavity or broken tooth that needs immediate attention.

Ask your friends to recommend a children’s dentist. Get opinions from people you know and trust. This can be a great way to help you find the right dentist for your child.

Visit the dentist twice a year for dental cleanings and check-ups. The AADP recommends children get regular dental check-ups every six months.

Are you ready to get your family started on healthier oral care habits? Visit Listerine for more information and coupons!

#LISTERINE Twitter Party Alert!

Join the fun Twitter party taking place on October 27 at noon ET / 11a CT / 9a PT. Each tweet using the #LISTERINE hashtag between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1 will result in a $10 donation from LISTERINE® to Oral Health America’s Fall For Smiles campaign, up to $40,000. During the party, more information from the LISTERINE® Brand Survey about the social impact of poor oral hygiene will be shared.