#FABsmile Giveaway & Review: What Makes You Smile?

What Makes You Smile?

There are a lot of things that makes me smile... 

My daughter makes me smile every day! She makes my days interesting and I know with out her, I would not be smiling as much.

Another thing that makes me smile is having my first giveaway! 

Be sure to check it out at the end of this...

Photo Source: Creative Mess

Here is a photo of my daughter and I on our most recent camping trip that we do every year. It is such a blast! This year, the first part of our trip the temperture was well into the 90's with the humidity high. To keep cool, I put my chair in the river while my daughter would swim around me. The water felt great!

In order to keep a beautiful smile... it means we must take care of our teeth so that we can be smiling for a long time! The American Dental Association says... the ultimate dental care begins with flossing your teeth daily and changing your toothbrush every three months.

How many of us... really change out our toothbrush let alone remember to even do it? I know I don't. In fact, I switch out my tooth brush when I have my cleaning and dental check up every six months. Every time I see my dentist, I receive a new toothbrush at the time of my appointments. I would never think to change it out every three months.

The good news is... FlossAndBrush.com makes it easy to always have new toothbrushes every three months! In fact, FlossAndBrush.com is the first system in the world that actually helps keep families accountable for daily flossing and changing their toothbrush every three months.

FlossAndBrush.com has sent me top quality toothbrushes that are age specific, and of course dentist approved to help keep my family’s teeth in healthy condition. Check out what I have received!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I am being compensated with high quality products from FlossAndBrush.com for my participation in the #FABsmile campaign. This campaign has been made possible from the Mom It Forward Network. However, all views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. For more information, please feel free to go here

Photo Source: Creative Mess

Photo Source: Creative Mess

How does this work?

By paying just ONE dollar per month, per person in your family. That is right, only $1.00 per person and FlossAndBrush.com will ship a box of fresh, quality toothbrushes and floss to your home - one for each member of your family.

 FlossAndBrush.com offers four packages:

1. Adult Floss and Brush Package ($1.00 per month per family member):

• Made in America
• Micro Tip
• Compact Soft
• Dome Trim Bristle Design
• Micro Feathered Bristles
• Interdental Bristle Design
• Floss is made in America, Mint, Waxed, 60 yd, Shred Resistant, and Clinically Proven

2. Youth Floss and Brush Package ($1.00 per month per family member):

• Made in America
• Micro Tip
• Compact Soft
• Dome Trim Bristle Design
• Micro Feathered Bristles
• Interdental Bristle Design
• Floss is made in America, Mint, Waxed, 60 yd, Shred Resistant, and Clinically Proven

3. Kids Floss and Brush Package ($1.00 per month per family member):

• Made in America
• Micro Tip
• Compact Soft
• Dome Trim Bristle Design
• Micro Feathered Bristles
• Interdental Bristle Design
• Floss is made in America, Mint, Waxed, 60 yd, Shred Resistant, and Clinically Proven

4. Adult Brush and Whitening Gel Package ($2.00 per month per family member):

• All the perks of the adult brush
• Gel made in America
• Same high-quality sold in dental offices
• Uses carbamide peroxide
• Fast results
• Gel contains potassium nitrate, which helps eliminate sensitivity

* Only $1.00 shipping per person. Orders of three or more brushes ships for free!

For more information... be sure to check out Floss and Brush WEBSITE

Okay Now for Creative Mess very first GIVEWAY!!! 

The giveaway is valued at $107 and includes the following:

1 Free Annual FAB Membership 

(Every three months, a new toothbrush and 3 month supply of floss will arrive at your doorstep)

1 Free Annuall FAB + White4Life Memberships 

(This includes not only a toothbrush and floss every three months, but each shipment will also include FAB's professional grade whitening to be used in custom whitening trays)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Straight Talk: Braces Then, Invisalign Now

Photo Source: Creative Mess

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, all views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. For more information, please feel free to go here

This is an x-ray of my daughter's upper set of teeth. As you can see from the x-rays she has not lost any of her baby teeth. Also, you can see that some of her baby teeth are overlapping and some barely touching. 

Now look at her adult teeth. Do you notice that some of her adult teeth are over lapping? 

After looking at these x-rays, I asked the dentist if I need to start saving up for my daughter to get braces. The response I received did not make me overly excited. The answer is yes. She will likely need braces due to the over crowding teeth. The dentist even recommended that she go see an orthodontist in the near future. Just lovely, right? Ummm.....NOT!

Braces? Ugh!!! The discomfort! I remember having to deal with braces on my top and bottom molars with the rubber bands attached to them. I had to wear retainers too. The whole thing was annoying. I had restrictions on what I could and could not eat. Stuff would get stuck in my braces and cleaning them was a pain in the you know what. My retainer constantly hurt my gums and half of the time they did not fit right. Sadly, neither of these methods did any good correcting my teeth! All of this discomfort was for nothing! To this day, I still have dental issues.

As you can imagine, I am already having concerns for my daughter. She has a beautiful smile that goes along with her personality. There is no way that I am going to let her lose that smile and loose confidence. However, the thought of her having a mouth full of metal... I can not imagine the pain and discomfort. Thankfully, things have changed dramatically since my days of braces for the better. Now adults and teens have a modern choice for correcting their teeth. There is an alternative to the old fashion metal braces, it is called Invisalign.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is virtually a clear BPA free plastic aligners that gradually move teeth over time. The aligners are simply worn over your teeth. There are no metal brackets to attach and definitely no wires to tighten. Which means very little discomfort.

Where was Invisalign when I needed braces!?!?!

Well, how can I put this with out showing my age??? LOL!

I had my braces back in the late 80's. Invisalign was not readily available until 1999 and the Teen Invisalign division was developed in 2008. Luckily, for my daughter, she won't have to endure what I had to go through. Since I have been informed early on about her teeth, I can take necessary measures.

By the way - Did you know it is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists to have your child's first orthodontic screening at age 7? This doesn't mean the child will get braces right away, but at least the orthodontist will know which problems are there and can start planning for treatment.  However, if all possible, it is best to wait for braces when all adult teeth are in.

As with any medical procedure, you always have the right for a second opinion if been told that you or your child is not a good candidate for Invisalign. Also, please keep in mind that not all dentists and orthodontists are certified to be Invisalign providers. It is best that you visit the Invisalign Doctor Locator

What are the benefits of Invisalign?

• Requires fewer office visit - Metal braces require more lengthy office visits for adjustments 
• No emergency visits for broken wires or brackets
• Minimal interference with sports or other activities - Teens are generally restricted from sports due to accidental related injury with metal braces
• No more soreness or discomfort days after the orthodontist appointments due to the tightening of the wires
• No food restrictions because the Invisalign is removable - Can not have certain foods including soda with the metal braces which is attached to your teeth.
• No more of the yucky impression molds of the teeth
• The ability to maintain good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing because the Invisalign is removable - With the metal braces, you run the risks of plaque build up which can lead to tooth decay.
• The teeth gets straightened without people knowing that you are in treatment - With the metal braces, everyone will know.

Invisalign is only for mild cases, right?

Wrong. The good news is, Invisalign can effectively correct a broad range of difficult cases. Here are some photos of treatable dental problems.

Overly crowed teeth

Widely spaced teeth

Crossbite

Overbite

Is Invisalign for Me?

You can take the Invisalign Smile Assessment to find out if it is right for you or your child. Be sure to also use Invisalign Doctor Locator.

Another good news, in most cases the Invisalign cost is comparable to traditional braces! To find out more about the cost, visit the Invisalign website.

You can follow Invisalign on Facebook and on Twitter

Now that you have some information, please feel free to leave me a comment on what your thoughts are on Invisalign.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, all views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. This is not medical advice. It is recommended that you seek medical advice from a qualified doctor, dentist, or an orthodontist before making a decision.  For more information, please feel free to go to my disclosure page.

The Blog Workshop Online Conference - May 17-19, 2013

I am so excited to announce that I am going to be attending The Blog Workshop blogging conference online! Yes, you read that right.... ONLINE! How cool is that!?!?! 

Sponsored Post: In exchange for this post, I am being provided a complimentary ticket to The Blog Workshop online conference. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. For more information, please feel free to go HERE.

Who is The Blog Workshop?

They are a learning community and their goal is to provide information that will help individuals take their blog to the next level. Most of you know that I have been wanting to take my  blog to another level and become a bloggerpreneur. However, being so new, I lack important information that can help me reach my full potential with my blog. The Blog Workshop will help me learn in many of these areas. Not only do they do the annual conferences, they also offer workshops and a member community for individuals to join. Also, they work towards trying to make the gap smaller between the PR, brand and influencers. 

The Online Conference

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

The Blog Workshop conference is perfect since I am so new to the blogsphere. Going to a blog conference in person is not an option for my pocket book. This way I do not have to worry about lodging and travel expenses. The conference can be done from the comfort of my home with my computer!

This conference is 3 days long and it starts this Friday evening! It is jammed packed with speakers and an agenda that will have valuable information that you will be able to use.

With a line up of some great speakers like this, I know I will learn something! 

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

A jammed packed agenda will help anyone from the beginner to a novice blogger. Again, may I remind you I have only been blogging since January of 2013. This is going to be a great learning experience!

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

The Blog Workshop will be donating 10% of all conference ticket sales to two organizations!

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children

The Atlanta Day Shelter provides a place for homeless women and children. Their mission is to ease the burden of homelessnes and to assist in establishing self sufficiency by providing comprehensive education and supportive services in a manner that respects human dignity.

Wellspring Living

Wellspring Living is to confront the issues of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation through awareness, training, and treatment programs.

So will you join The Blog Workshop?

Photo Source: The Blog Workshop

I will have a follow up post on how my experience was at the online conference. Stay tuned!

Sponsored Post: In exchange for this post, I am being provided a complimentary ticket to The Blog Workshop online conference. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. For more information, please feel free to go HERE.

Feel free to follow me!