Challenge Your Family to a Better Smile and Overall Health! | Dinker ...

How many times have you laid down exhausted from the day later realizing you haven?t brushed your teeth and you are too tired to get up and do it?

I have done this countless times. More times then I care to admit.

However, since becoming pregnant I?ve been trying to make sure that I?m brushing at least two times a day. Anyone who?s been in a prenatal care office knows there are always fliers with information on the importance of dental care prior to and during pregnancy.

When asked by TheMotherhood if I?d like to challenge my family to better dental care I of course said yes as I really need this kick in the teeth myself. During a informational call with some experts in the field ? think experienced, licensed oral hygienists with lots of official letters after their names ? I was surprised to find out all the disturbing facts about teeth in a country that prides itself in ones looks.

Did You Know?

• Nearly 75% 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% 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.
• 15% don?t kiss their loved ones for the same reasons
• Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting children in the U.S.***
• In fact, 50% of children will have a cavity or filling between the ages of 5 and 9.***
• The surgeon general reports that 51 million school hours are missed each year because of dental-related illness.***

Sad to think about all those that aren?t even smiling or kissing their loved ones because of pain or embarrassment in their mouths. I don?t want that for myself let alone my children. So it?s high time my family?s pearly whites became a priority in our home.

Thinking back to the early days of my pregnancy I often wondered what the effects of the constant vomiting had on my teeth. I believe this is one of the reasons that having a dental checkup before you are pregnant is a good idea as you can find out if you have any issues before the raging hormones add to the problem.

Did you know that your baby?s teeth are forming in your womb?! Around 4-5 weeks the primary tooth buds are forming and at 12 weeks the primary teeth start to harden. Then around the 6 month mark the permeant tooth buds being to form.

How To Care For Your Teeth (for the Expecting Mom)

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste, rinse with flouridated mouth rinse, especially just before bedtime.**
• If you have morning sickness, rinse with water, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to reduce the acid in your mouth.**
• Wait thirty minutes to brush your teeth to let the acid dissolve.**
• Dental care during pregnancy is important to your baby?s health including an essential professional cleaning and check-up**

How to Brush Your Teeth Properly

So before this challenge begins for our family I?ll have to *hangs head* admit that I haven?t seen the dentist in a very long time ? but do have an appointment scheduled. I personally have not flossed in a while and I?m very bad at brushing my teeth before going to bed. I have not made the boys brush their teeth in the mornings but it is part of their routine to brush each night.

My husband has had many dental problems and does not go for regular cleanings. He is a little better then the rest of us with brushing morning and night as well as flossing when there is floss in the house. So I have to give some kudos to him as for a daily routine he does better then rest of the family.

A Toothy Challenge

As a family we will?

• Clean the entire mouth at least twice a day
• Make sure we are brushing and flossing correctly
• Avoid sticky foods
• Go to the dentist twice a year
• Show, don?t tell ? make oral care a family affair
• Add a 30-second rinse to get that missed 75% of our mouths
• Do it in the recommended order: Floss, Brush, & Rinse!
• Reward our children with ?stars? not sugary treats {free printable rewards calendar}
• Be proud we are taking steps to better overall health

Part of our challenge kit that we received from LISTERINE? and REACH? includes things like new toothbrushes, floss and mouth rinse. I?m really excited for the mouth rinse for the kids as well as the ?zero? for us adults; especially knowing that when brushing we miss our inner cheeks, mouth roofs, tongue, under our tongue, and all the nooks and crannies. I?ve always shied from mouth wash because I could not stand the burning. With the new Zero LISTERINE? there is no alcohol to burn and I?m all about that!

*Reference: American Dental Hygienists? Association
**Reference: Head Start?s Teeth For Two brochure
***Reference:
-http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/doh.htm
-American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). ?Fluoride.? (Parent Education Brochures). November 14, 2007
-US Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General? Executive Summary. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 2000.

As part of the challenge I received a box of products from LISTERINE?, REACH? and TheMotherhood. Monetary compensation is also being provided. I however am still providing my own opinions and unhealthy habits!

Source: http://dinkerandgiggles.com/teeth-brushing-facts/

bernie fine matt leinart cyber monday 2011 cyber monday 2011 turkey pot pie turkey pot pie southern university