Morning and night, I stand next to my kids at the bathroom sink as they brush their teeth and it feels like the never-ending saga. Each time I stand there I sound like a broken record, reviewing the importance of good oral hygiene habits as they roll their eyes and complain.

Because really, is there ever a day I ask them to go brush, do they do so without dragging their feet?

Unfortunately, that’s always the scene in my house. In fact, I find it tiresome to be going over the same mantra with them every single day, stressing the importance of brushing, flossing and even mouth washing. I continuously feel as though my kids are simply going through the motions. If I wasn’t standing there morning and night like a watchdog, who knows how often or how long they would actually brush. And I’m pretty certain they would skip the flossing and everything else.

The bottom line is that I’m not sure my kids understand the severe consequences of not keeping up with good oral hygiene, nor do they appreciate my efforts in teaching them the steps toward maintaining a healthy mouth.

Sound familiar Theta Moms?

Well, then read on because I’m about to begin a 21 Day Challenge by the makers of LISTERINE® and I’m getting my children involved, too! I’m proud to help kick off the 21 Day Challenge with my pledge to improve my oral health (as well as my whole family’s oral health) within 21 days by brushing, flossing and using LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN twice a day.

Not only will I pledge to take part in this challenge, my kids will be involved the entire way as well. After I started reading some shocking facts, I’m pretty confident you’ll want to jump on board the 21 Day Challenge as well…

Did you know that oral disease is now the most chronic childhood illness in the USA? It saddens me to know that millions of children are suffering from pain so deep that it affects their ability to eat, sleep and learn. It’s been documented that as many as 130 million Americans lack dental insurance, including more than 15.4 million children. My kids don’t know how lucky they really are.

I was also shocked to learn that brushing alone misses 75% of our mouth. And even if you brush twice a day (which is the standard around here) you’re most likely missing a majority of your mouth which leaves room for germs to grow. By using a LISTERINE® Antiseptic mouthwash twice a day for 30 seconds, you can clean virtually 100% of your mouth with up to 5 times healthier gums in 2 weeks and up to 9 times healthier gums in 4 weeks. So basically, brushing alone won’t do the trick!

I pitched this to my kids that it’s only going to take literally ONE more minute during our normal routine. I am crazed in the mornings getting the kids ready for school so there are often times we skip the mouthwash. So, this 21 Day Challenge will force both myself as well as the kids to be sure this becomes part of our daily routine. Hey, we can find one minute in our day to do this, right? I’m excited to see how this 21 Day Challenge turns out and now I’m challenging YOU to join me!

For every person who signs up for the challenge on Facebook, the LISTERINE® Brand will make a contribution to help Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America® program toward their goal of connecting 210,000 children with needed oral health services in 2013.

How awesome is that?

You can learn more about the partnership with Oral Health America, as well as sign up for a fun reminder app by visiting the 21 Day Challenge on Facebook. We look forward to seeing you there!

Disclosure: I received products from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE® 21 Day Challenge. I was also compensated for my participation in this program. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.