Archive for the ‘kids do’ Category

Maybe I had one too many bad dental experiences as a kid.

Even if it’s just cleaning and checkup (as an adult, mind you)  I lay back in that dental chair and tense right up.  Before I know it my hands are in fists and the poor dental hygienist soothingly asking me to relax.

Yes, when I was a kid I had cavities.  I even knocked out a few teeth and had to have crowns…  Whatever the reasons for my fear factor…. I totally dread that drill!

But that’s not the only reason I don’t like the dentist.

$$$$$ Because even if you have dental insurance, a trip to the dentist can mean big bucks out the door.

It begs the question, “What can I do, in the comfort of my own home, to minimize the FEAR factor of a dental visit?”

I asked my kid’s dentist Dr. Jensen to share a few of his best tips:  He hit the regulars…

• Brush twice a day at a minimum.

• Brush for two minutes each time you brush.

• Floss (You’ve heard the old saying, you don’t have to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep.)

He also said:

• When I asked what type of toothbrush was best, he said “Use the toothbrush that you are most comfortable with.”  That makes it easier to be motivated to brush.  I personally love an electric toothbrush and as it turns out, so do my kids.  It feels so good to brush with, it makes it easier to brush for a full two minutes.  My dentist did suggest a soft bristled brush was best.

• Visit your dentist at least once a year, preferably twice.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Even though it’s hard to schedule an appointment when times are tough financially, it’s much cheaper to fill a small cavity than to wait until you need a root canal.

• Good nutrition is very helpful in maintaining a healthy mouth.

• He said to be sure to ask your dentist if he offer’s a cash or a referral discount.

There are a few more money saving tips I would add to his list.

• Have a clock with a second hand in the bathroom so you and the kids can know how long they are brushing.

• IF you have an accident that breaks your natural teeth, check with your medical insurance first.  Ours covered my husband’s two shattered teeth from a ski injury last winter.  It saved us a bundle to use medical insurance.

• Watch for coupons for your dental cleanings.  There are some amazing dental Groupons if you are watching for them.

• If you have a cafeteria plan, it can be a great pretax way to save money for dental expenses.

I’m not sure I’ll ever be totally relaxed when it comes to the dentist.  But I hope that by taking good care of our teeth, my visits to the dentist will be anticlimactic.

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This is a sponsored post for Church & Dwight Co., Inc, the maker of ARM & HAMMER branded products, who is compensating me to try different products. Get a $4.00 coupon for ARM & HAMMER Spinbrush then head over to The Switch & Save Challenge where you can enter to win $25,000.

As part of the Arm & Hammer Switch & Save Challenge, I’m reviewing the Spinbrush ProClean Toothbrush today.

My husband and I have used an expensive sonic electric toothbrush for quite a few years now and I am a big believer in how well my sonic toothbrush cleans my teeth. A good toothbrush is an important investment, and whenever we get a check up the dental hygienist always comments on how clean our teeth are.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

But for all the good, there is one major problem with our toothbrushes… they are $$$$ expensive.

I’ve wanted to outfit our kids with toothbrushes like ours, but I just can’t afford to do it.  I was thrilled when my new toothbrush arrived a few weeks ago. I couldn’t wait to see how the Spinbrush would stack up against a toothbrush that costs more than 10 times the price.

Here are my impressions.  The Spinbrush works differently from my sonic toothbrush.  It has a spin at the top and a back and forth action on the bottom.  It feels awesome on your mouth- like a massage.  I loved the way it made my gums feel- stimulating and yet still gentle.  The brush head and handle feel more bulky than my brush, but I’m sure that’s something I would get used to.

I missed having the two minute timer that my toothbrush has, but it was easy to watch the clock on my bathroom counter to make sure I was brushing long enough.  My teeth felt really clean when I was done.

The only other downside to the Spinbrush ProClean is that it is battery powered and not rechargable.  I haven’t used the Spinbrush ProClean long enough to know how long a battery lasts… but changing batteries is never fun.

Here’s a few advantages of using a Spinbrush ProClean:

BRUSH LONGER This is purely unscientific, but I’m convinced you brush longer when you are using an electric toothbrush like a Spinbrush.  I personally find it really hard to brush for 2 whole minutes with a regular toothbrush.  With an electric toothbrush it feels so good the time is up before you know it.

BRUSH BETTER This is scientific.  The Spinbrush ProClean is is clinically proven to remove up to 70% more plaque in hard to reach areas than a  manual toothbrush.

SAVE MONEY In the long run, I’m convinced that cleaner teeth and healthy gums equates to less money spent at the dentist.

My conclusion:  Arm & Hammer’s SpinBrush ProClean toothbrush is a great alternative if you can’t or don’t want to splurge on an high-priced electric toothbrush.  It cleans really well, feels great to brush with, and is a fantastic price.

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This is a sponsored post for Church & Dwight Co., Inc, the maker of ARM & HAMMER branded products, who is compensating me to try different products. Get a $4.00 coupon for ARM & HAMMER Spinbrush then head over to The Switch & Save Challenge where you can enter to win $25,000.