A Healthier Mouth after just 21 Days?

Exactly three weeks ago I started the 21-Day Oral Care Challenge with the hopes of improving my oral care routine and end up with a healthier mouth. I was hoping to change my habits for the better to ensure that I don’t end up with teeth and gum problems or even health problems related to poor oral health.

According to the challenge website, you can expect healthier gums in just two weeks by adopting a oral care routine that includes regular brushing and rinsing with a mouthwash.

So did it work for me?

I don’t have any scientific way to tell you yes or no, however, I can say that my mouth definitely feels cleaner, fresher, and some of the sensitivity I had in my teeth has actually decreased. I take that as a really good sign that my new routine is working.

The Listerine 21-Day Challenge site gives you tips and facts as you go along, you get daily emails and reminders, and every day offers a chance to win fun prizes as well! One of the facts offered in one of the daily emails was that you will have 6.6x more plaque free areas in 3 weeks. That is a lot of plaque removal!

So what happens when you swish with Listerine mouthwash? According to Listerine, when you use the mouthwash twice a day for three full weeks, you’ll get a cleaner, fresher mouth then you’d get from brushing alone. I know that I could definitely feel a difference after using the mouthwash for the three weeks. My mouth does feel cleaner and I’m happy to add swishing to my daily routine.

Tips for developing a twice daily rinsing habit

• Keep the mouthwash accessible. If you have to dig it out of the cupboard each time, you may be tempted to just skip it, so keep it handy until you have a good routine established.
• The first few days may take some adjusting as you try to swish for the full recommended time. Don’t worry about going the distance as you get accustomed to the slight sting, just try to go a little longer each time.
• If you forget and miss one of your daily rinses, don’t dwell on it. Just pick right back up the next time you brush your teeth.

Extra challenges for a healthy lifestyle 

One of the additional challenges I chose to take on during this time frame was an organization challenge.  As part of a panel of experts, Peter Walsh included organization tips as part of the daily challenge email. While I have to admit, I didn’t have a lot of time to tackle this challenge full-on right now, I love the tips that Peter shared and will be implementing several of them as my time frees up after my second job comes to an end. Things like getting rid of ‘wish’ clothes, creating a mail station, and so many more are easy ways to organize my home!

Wellness at Walgreens

If you are looking for an easy way to stock up on your wellness needs stop by Walgreens. The week of March 1st, visit your local Walgreens store to purchase Listerine Antiseptic for only $4.49; a great price to help keep you going with your new rinsing habit!

So tell us…

Have you joined the 21-Day Oral Care Challenge yet? Would you be interested in improving your oral care routine?

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. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.