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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UPDATE:
Week 1: The Pre-Challenge Dental Check-Up
Week 2: My Oral Care Pledge
Week 3: My Best Smile Courtesy of the No.1 Mouthwash
Week 4: Battle with the Jawbreakers
Week 5: My Fresh Breath Took Me as Far As...
Week 6: My Post-Challenge Dental Check-Up



I know most of you are familiar with the brand but just to give you a brief background, Listerine is the no.1 mouthwash in the Philippines and the world. It is also the most recommended mouthwash by most dental associations. Created by Dr. Joseph Lawrence in 1879, Listerine has gone as far as being the most trusted brand in mouthwash today. Their latest product, the new Listerine Total Care is "the most advance and complete Listerine to help you achieve the six essential signs of a totally healthy mouth."



Other Listerine Total Care challengers include a group of dentists and celebrity challenger Drew Arellano.


L-R Karen Co, Senior Brand Manager for Listerine, Bloggers Vince Golangco, Hannah Villasis, yours truly, Earth Rullan, Drew Arellano, Phoebe Ann Ramos, Calvin Lo, Azrael Coladilla and Ria Gatmaitan, Management Trainee for Listerine (not in photo is the other blogger challenger Glenn Ong)

Friends, I ask you to follow my personal journey to total oral health on this blog and on my Twitter (@edelweiss_19) and my Facebook (Edelweiza Mabalay). You may also follow our adventure (me and the rest of the challengers) on the Listerine Philippines FB page.

Our Week 1 starts next week. I will also give away 4 Listerine gift packs to four lucky readers/commenters so watch out for that!

Actually, you may start commenting now to show your support for me or say what you wanna say about Listerine, or your experience using it. Come on, voice out your thoughts! :)


If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with The Life of a Breadwinner, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.