This is it! My Listerine Total Care Challenge has ended and I'm proud to say that I have survived it. Six long weeks of doing the brush, floss and rinse (BFR) habit. Six long weeks of using Listerine Total Care mouthwash on a regular basis. All this in my quest to achieve optimum oral health.

So, what can I say? I guess let's try to review first the six essential benefits one may get by using the no. 1 mouthwash brand in the Philippines and the world:



To prove that I have seen and felt a big difference in my mouth during the six-week period of using Listerine Total Care, let me show you my pre- and post- challenge dental check-up results so we could compare the improvements in my mouth, if any.


BEFORE (click image to enlarge)

To guide us on the numerical ratings, here's a chart provided by Listerine:


0 for good, 4-5 for worst


AFTER (click image to enlarge)

1. Breaks through plaque. As what I had shared in my Week 1 report, I noticed a thin film of protection that enveloped my mouth only after first use of the mouthwash. I think it was the one responsible for eliminating the plaque on my teeth. As you can see in the AFTER results, my plaque index dropped to an all-out 0 from having several 1's in the BEFORE results. I find it really amazing!

2. Keeps teeth white. My teeth are a bit on the yellow side (read: strong) so upon accepting the Listerine Total Care challenge, I became a bit curious on how Listerine could make my teeth white. To tell you honestly, it didn't make my teeth white but I noticed that it made my teeth look clear and bright. And for me that's a good thing. Now I can always show my best smile (as evidenced by the photos I shared in Week 3) whenever and wherever I want to.

3. Kills 99% of germs. Gargling the mouthwash for 30 seconds every single time was hard for me at first because of its strong and spicy flavor but eventually I got used to it. I found out the strong and spicy flavor wasn't there for nothing. It had a purpose and that was to kill the germs in my mouth to make it fresh and clean and healthy. This reason alone was enough to make me write my own oral care pledge in Week 2.

4. Gives 24-hour fresh breath. Having used the mouthwash twice a day (after my morning bath and before I go to bed) for six weeks has definitely improved my confidence. How far did my fresh breath take me? Check out my Week 5 report here to find out.

As for the mal-odor and calculus score categories in my BEFORE and AFTER results, nothing has changed. According to Dr. Sarah, the "barely noticeable odor" is normal so there's really nothing to worry about. I'd like to think of that as an assurance that I don't have bad breath that needs immediate dental attention. Haha. As for the calculus deposits on some of my teeth, she said I can only get rid of them thru prophylaxis. I guess I better set an appointment with my dentist for that soon. Perhaps, that's what causing my mouth to have that "barely noticeable odor."

5. Helps keep teeth strong. The jawbreaker challenge I did in Week 4 proved that I cannot break a jawbreaker in one minute (it's not really possible as I broke one only after 24 minutes!) but I can always try to break it without injuring my teeth and my jaw. Listerine has definitely made my teeth stronger than ever.

6. Maintains healthy gums. Bleeding gums are one of the signs of an unhealthy mouth. With Listerine Total Care mouthwash, one of my teeth that bled after the dentist's probing in the gingival bleeding index of the BEFORE results (the one with the rating of 1), is now okay (see the gingival bleeding index AFTER results with an all-out 0 rating). I am very pleased! Actually, as early as Week 2, I had already noticed that my teeth didn't bleed anymore even if I would accidentally or intentionally hit it with my toothbrush. Haha. Dr. Sarah, reminded me, though (during my post-challenge dental check-up this morning) that I should avoid hitting my teeth with my toothbrush because the mere act could irritate the gums and lead to gingivitis. Ouch. Okay, noted that.

Hmmm, what do you think? I'd like to think that I fared quite well. Haha. I am definitely doing my best to continue with using Listerine and embracing the BFR habit. All this in the name of good oral health!

Thank you very much to Listerine Philippines for this challenge and to Listerine Total Care mouthwash for making my mouth healthier. Thank you also for the good service extended to me by Villareal Dental Clinic-Head Office in Pasay City through Dr. Sarah Salita. I took note of all the dental information and oral care tips you shared with me.


my dental chair moment


with the very accommodating, friendly and smart Dr. Salita


my dental clinic of choice

GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!!

For the Week 5 giveaway, I decided to make it very easy by asking you to share your fresh breath story. I chose the two lucky winners of Listerine gift packs containing two (2) 50ml Listerine Total Care, a pen and a notepad through Random.org. And here is the result I got:



Congratulations to crumpilicious blog and nice! I just emailed you both on how you could claim your prizes.

To all who joined, thank you so much. I know the contest period was short but still, you took the time to join. 'Till my next giveaway! :)


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There's this new lotion I got in the mail a few days ago that claims to repair not just one but a total of eight (8) signs of dry skin namely: dry, red, rough, tight, flaky, dull, itchy and peeling. Wow, that was a lot, huh! Can you guess which brand this lotion represents?



Since I saw and held the bottle in the flesh, I knew the answer already. But I am not telling. So yeah, better make a wild guess. One thing is sure, though. It's from one of the world's leading skin care brand. :)


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...a job interview. Yes, I had my job interview with some financial institution recently. I am proud to say that during that time, I was armed with substantial research about the company and the position I was being considered for, self-confidence and a fresh breath made possible by the no.1 mouthwash in the Philippines and the world.

It was a Wednesday afternoon and the interview took place in a mini-conference room. It was a panel interview and I sat in front of four people who were about to judge me as an applicant. I have to admit I was a little nervous but my determination to succeed won me over. I answered their questions as clearly and intelligently as possible. I threw some questions to them, too. The distance between me and them were so short, like just a little more than two feet, I could hear their every word and I was sure they could hear my breathing as well. I just enjoyed the situation as if I was just having a casual talk with a group of strangers. High-caliber strangers at that. Haha.


yours truly in my interview attire

I was so happy after the interview. Somehow I knew I left a good impression on them. I hoped so. I also thought that my fresh breath that day had contributed in no small way in my having been so relax and confident during those critical moments. I secretly thanked Listerine for it. I knew it didn't let me down, not even for a single moment. I loved how a mouthwash could make such a big difference at that important point in my life. And for that I was really grateful.

Did you know that continued use of Listerine Total Care mouthwash guarantees stronger and fresher breath 24/7? Yes, that's right. And if you go all the way in caring for your teeth, like starting the Brush, Floss and Rinse (BFR) habit for instance, then the results may be greater than you could ever imagine.

As for the results of my job interview, I'm still waiting for it. Hopefully, I get the job. But there's really no high expectations. I believe that if it's for me, it'll be for me. If it's not, then I'll try harder next time.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

How far did your fresh breath take you? Any interesting story you would like to share? Use the comment section and you might just be the two lucky winners of Listerine gift packs! Each bag contains two 80 ml. bottles of Listerine Total Care, a notepad and a pen. This contest is on until 11:59 p.m. of July 2, 2011 (Sunday). Winners will be announced as part of my culminating Listerine post (Week 6 of the Listerine Total Care Challenge) so stay tuned.

Good luck, guys! :)


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It's been more than a month since the fiancee and I started running. By that, I mean the occasional fun runs that we join in, our weekly jog at the Quirino Grandstand and Rizal Park grounds and the regular jogging that we do almost nightly at the comfort and security of our neighborhood. Our goal is to run our way back to good health since we both gained so much weight last year.

We have a love-hate relationship with running. At this point, we can say we are loving it so much because little by little, we're seeing improvements in our body and in our health. And we're proud to say that aside from getting physical benefits from running, we are also able to help other people by joining fun runs that promote important causes. Just like when we joined the United Nations - World Food Programme's End Hunger: Walk the World running event that benefited the children of Mindanao.



Actually, our ultimate running dream is to join a marathon. We're getting there. We just have to do a lot of preparations first. I remember that to get us started in running, we got ourselves new running shoes. I have always believed that investing in a pair of good running shoes is a must if one is to make running a part of his lifestyle. There are many brands of shoes in the market today that choosing your pair becomes quite difficult. For so long, we have been loyal to this brand of running shoes because of their continued innovation on the style, design and high-tech features of their shoes. We don't mind spending more if it would mean we'd get high quality running shoes. After all, a good pair of shoes could last us a long time.

Speaking of running shoes, did you know that there is a new brand of running shoes coming to the Philippines soon? The name is On Running. Hmm, I wonder if they have my size (US 7.5, UK 6). I always have a hard time finding the perfect running shoes because most of the time, the style I want doesn't carry my size. Or they just run out of it easily. Haha.

My running experience with the fiancee has been good. I like it that my body is getting stronger and my muscles, leaner. I can feel that we're getting healthier each day. I just hope we are able to sustain our interest in running because it is a great way to achieve optimum health.

How about you, are you also into running? How's it been so far?


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