The Listerine Smart Rinse Sweet Smart Oral Care Challenge — A Success! {#SweetSmart}

We are a family of routines.

Although the clutter and disorganization might indicate otherwise, it has always seemed as though the four of us have thrived the most when our days have been somewhat predictable or methodical. What can I say? Daredevils, we are not!

Therefore, when it comes to altering our daily routine, the change has to be something that has not only come about for a good reason, but it has to be received quite positively in order for it to stick.

Which just goes to show how much we have enjoyed being a part of the Listerine Smart Rinse Sweet Smart Oral Care Challenge and that we're excited to keep up our new and improved (and healthy) habits!

Three weeks ago, when we committed to brushing, flossing and rinsing every day, twice a day, I had my doubts that we would successfully complete all 21 days. After all, even though my kids were thrilled over their new toothbrushes and brightly colored Listerine Smart Rinse (Phineas & Ferb! Barbie!), that didn't mean that they were ready to embrace the idea of a more intense bedtime routine.

In fact, the first night of the Challenge, they both set down their bottles on the bathroom counter and looked at me hesitantly.

We're going to do... what?

No, really. What? I might need to think about this a little bit before I agree to anything.

However, all it took was a demonstration from Mom showing how much fun it was to squeeze the bottle of Smart Rinse so that the correct amount of mouthwash pooled in the top (LOVE that feature!) and my assurance that they would be able to handle it, and they were ready to give things a try.

While it took Little Sister B a little more convincing, Big Sister E was immediately on board. By the second day, they both realized that they were able to do the entire process (squeeze the bottle, pour the mouthwash into a cup, rinse and spit it out) all on their own, and suddenly the idea of being "in control" of this process made it infinitely better.

As the week went on, I noticed that instead of constant reminders and cajoling to get the kids to brush their teeth, they both knew that new routine involved brushing, flossing and rinsing — what they dubbed "swishing." I loved that this simple addition was like putting a magnet into their mouths to grab any particles left from brushing and that they were happy to do it in the morning or at night!

By the time the Challenge ended, it was clear that Listerine Smart Rinse had made enough of an impact on our lives to be a permanent part of our routine. When we ventured out of town with the kids to a water park hotel to celebrate a few days off from school recently, my husband and I were scolded for forgetting to bring the bottles with us!  

But that means we can't swish!

Not to mention that with the biggest tooth-harming holiday of the year occurring this season, I was more than happy to let my kids indulge in just one more treat as long as I knew that they would still head to bed with sparkling clean mouths.

Overall, I'm extremely glad that we were able to participate in the Listerine Smart Rinse Sweet Smart Oral Care Challenge to improve our oral health in such a fun and easy way. I will definitely be buying more Listerine Smart Rinse, as I hope that having started the brush-floss-rinse process with my girls still so young that it will continue on with them through childhood and into adulthood.

As for me, is it weird that I'm looking forward to our next dentist visit so that I can lavish in the parental praise and pride of my kids' clean, healthy teeth?

Find out more about how Listerine Smart Rinse can make a difference in the oral care habits of your family (as well as coupons, games, tips, products and more) at ListerineKids.com.

I received products and compensation from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the Listerine Smart Rinse Sweet Smart Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.