Canadians Remember Today!

Oral-B Stages Want's to Spread the Truth about Teeth ~ Review and Giveaway!

Have you experienced mommy guilt when it comes to your children's teeth? I know I have! I have always been diligent about my children's bedtime brushing routine but flossing has often been a bit of a challenge. My children tend to be very independent. From the age of two my children have fought to dress themselves, pour their own cereal, and brush their own teeth! Now as an intelligent and well educated woman I know that children should not be allowed to brush their own teeth...at least not without some adult assistance but have you ever felt unable to fight the good fight? Exhaustion often takes over reason and moms like myself find ourselves lacking. I continue to remind myself that this fight is for my child's oral health and is important! Oral-B Stages wants to remind all parents of this very important point and are working to provide the tools you and your children need to maintain oral health.

Have you ever wandered down the toothbrush aisle and wondered, "Are kids toothbrushes really any different from any others?" They are, they are no marketing scheme! Oral-B Stages line-up is designed specifically to the dentition, development, and dexterity of your growing children. This became clear to me when my dentist handed me a brush with a teeny, tiny end so I could reach my numerous wisdom teeth. "Ah yes", I thought, "They really do need to design toothbrushes differently for a specific dentition and children would be no exception!"

My daughters fall into the Stage 3 category and Oral-B has thought of everything: a large non-slip handle for dexterity, soft gum bumpers on the head to protect tender gums, and cup-shaped bristles for better cleaning. The bristles are also tapered at the brush end for a better reach to the back teeth which are developing at this stage! My daughters just see the High School Musical design and say "Cool!" I look at the way the brush is engineered and say, "Awesome!" Isn't it funny how much a new toothbrush can excite a child?
My 9 year old son even smiled a little when I mentioned the new Oral-B Stages toothbrushes and toothpaste had arrived. Isn't it refreshing to see your children rush to the bathroom to brush? It should be a "new" toothbrush day everyday. My son is a Stage 4. Oral-B knows that at this stage teeth are missing or growing in and have accounted for the sensitive gaps by using massaging bristles. The free-form graphics and the adult-like handle {sized for a child} make this the "Big-Boy/Big-Girl" brush!

Even at this stage it is important to note that while children may choose to brush alone a parent should always check afterward for missed areas and help their children floss. As any dentist will tell you flossing is crucial for cavity prevention! Oral-B also sent us Oral-B Satin Floss which I personally find so much softer and gentler than other brands I've tried. Because it is so soft i don't mind using on my children's teeth as well as my own!

Oral-B Stages has created three stages of toothpastes from their Stage 1 toothpaste for babies free of fluoride, saccharin, artificial colours and preservatives to the cavity fighting mild gel formula of their Stage 3 paste. My children are just happy with the flavour {and believe me they haven't always been with other brands}!

A Few Myths about Kids and Oral Health!
Myth: You should wait until your child is at least three years old before you take them to the dentist.
Fact: Parents should take their babies to a dental professional for risk assessment and advice on oral care.

Myth: Kids don't need to floss.
Fact: Flossing should be done as soon as two teeth touch. It is the only way to remove plaque from between teeth.

Myth: I don't need to check my child's teeth after they've brushed.
Fact: It is a good idea to check to ensure your child is brushing well and to teach good brushing {some dentists recommend using a flashlight to check for missed spots}.

Myth: It's not a big deal if my child gets cavities or doesn't take care of their baby teeth--they just fall out anyway.
Fact: Baby teeth are still importnat for proper chewing and speech development. You don't want them to be painful. They are also placeholders for permanent teeth.
Information provided by Oral-B in their booklet "Olivia the Tooth Fairy and the Truth about Teeth".

Oral-B want to provide you with the tools for maintaining your children's oral health and is offering one Northern Mama reader Oral-B Stages toothbrushes for all their children {customized based on age and gender}! But they haven't forgotten mom or dad because they are also providing an Oral-B Vitality Pro-White and Crest Pro-Health toothpaste for you! Great for stocking stuffers!
To Enter:

• Visit Oral-B Stages and tell me something you've learned about oral health or what specific product{s} you would want to purchase for your children. {Required}
• Non-bloggers please leave your email with your comment.

Extra Entries:

• Follow Northern Mama {via google friends connect}
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• Subscribe via email
• Follow Northern Mama on Twitter @Northernmama35 and tweet about this giveaway
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• Blog about this giveaway with a link back here {please leave me the link to your post}

{Please leave a separate comment for each entry}

Giveaway open to US and Canadian residents. Giveaway closes November 25, 2009 10:00pm CT. Read Giveaway Rules for further details.

Romancing Juliet Bridal ~Twilight Grab Bag Item #1

Soon to be featured in an upcoming edition of Bride's Magazine, Romancing Juliet's shoulder wraps are a bold statement to a wedding dress or a bridesmaid's ensemble! Romancing Juliet crafts beautiful accoutrements to your carefully planned wedding--Ring bearer pillows, flower girl baskets, and garters. But her handcrafted boleros and shoulder wraps are also a perfect addition to your holiday and party attire! Beth of Romancing Juliet believes in high, TOP QUALITY fashion, but at affordable prices!

Romancing Juliet is currently hosting a Winter Giveaway! Follow on Twitter @romancingjuliet! Her goal is to reach 500 followers. Once she has her 500th Follower a random individual will be chosen to win a garter/pillow/basket set! Also visit the Romancing Juliet blog.

Beth of Romancing Juliet Bridal is offering to one Twilight "grab Bag" winner an Apple Red Taffetta Twilight Inspired Shoulder Wrap {$25 US Value}! This will add va-voom to your holiday wardrobe! Yes, this is just one of the many treasures to be found in one of the Twilight Giveaway surprise "Grab Bags"! Have I wet your appetite? Have I dampened your curiosity just a little?

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Kids Konserve New Discount!

Kids Konserve would like to share their 12 Non-Toxic and Sustainable gift ideas for this holiday season and a 15% holiday coupon code with Northern Mama readers!

Now until December 31st Northern Mama readers can use the code: holidays to receive 15% off your Kids Konserve holiday orders!

To learn more about Kids Konserve read my past Kids Konserve review!
I will post the code under Discount Codes on the Left Sidebar!

Piggy Paint ~ New Discount!

Piggy Paint is extending a special coupon code: THANKYOU15L valid until Valentine's Day 2010 so that all Big & Little Girls can have beautiful and fun Piggies!

I reviewed Piggy Paint in April so for those of you unfamiliar with Piggy Paint and its great natural qualities be sure to read the review!

Piggy Paint offers FREE domestic shipping on all orders over $25, monthly specials on their website, and wholesale opportunities for online sites and in store boutiques!

You can follow Piggy Paint on twitter.com/piggypaint & Facebook for secret sales and special offers!

Piggy Paint has received the Excellence Award from Safbaby.com and now proudly have received their seal of approval as an approved Vendor of Mom approved-child tested products!

I will post the coupon code under Discount Codes on the Northern Mama left side bar!

Twilight Halloween Giveaway Extended!!

As I mentioned in my initial giveaway post the Twilight Series has become a cult classic and everyone is excited! This includes the many amazing businesses large and small creating Twilight inspired merchandise. Because if the overwhelming response from a variety of businesses I have decided to add a second reader giveaway to this promotion! The first winner will still receive the Box set of the Twilight Series {which features collectible prints} and a "grab bag" of Twilight goodies but a second "grab bag" will be given to another lucky Northern Mama reader!

TO ENTER CLICK HERE!

Curious what to expect in the "Grab Bags"? I knew you would be so this week look for the featured "Twilight" shop posts here on Northern Mama to discover what treasures await the lucky winners {it could be you}!

Soulless ~ A Book Review filled with Vampires, Werewolves, and Parasols!

Are you looking for a completely unique reading experience? Gail Carriger's Soulless combines fantasy and the supernatural with the romanticism of Jane Austen with idiosyncratic flair! Soulless is a cabaret of supernatural satire; a tacit twist on the ever popular vampire theme which is certain to be different from any other vampire novel you've ever encountered!

Publisher's Blurb:
Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she is being rudely attacked by a vampire to whom she has not been properly introduced!

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire, and the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible.

Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

I am eager to say that from Gail Carriger's interviews I share her favourite spare time activities and her archaeological background. When ask, "When you aren't writing, what do you do in your spare time?"
Her response: "Drink tea. Although, come to think of it, I do that while I'm writing as well..."
It is truly lovely to meet another tea addict such as myself. You can learn more about Carriger...perhaps...on her website!

Alexia is the most plucky, intelligent, and--despite her soullessness--utterly charming and seductive character I've come across recently. Any woman who fights off unruly and ill mannered vampires with a brass parasol holds water with me. Wicked wit and charming supernatural social graces abound! Soulless is the first novel in the Parasol Protectorate and I am "thirstily" awaiting Changeless {the second in the series} set for release in May 2010!

I would more than recommend this book to any fan of British Romanticism who hides a bit of wicked soullessness beneath their un-rumbled, polished politeness!