MORRIS PLAINS, NJ (November 9, 2011) – The makers of LISTERINE® Antiseptic and award-winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth introduced today the newest video in the YOUR MOUTH HAS SOMETHING TO SAY™ series, designed to inspire Americans to redefine clean when it comes to their oral care routine. The fun and provocative short animated film, shareable online at www.listerine.com/yourmouth, reveals the surprising reason why our mouths might not be as clean as we think, and explains why it’s so important – and so easy - to change that. As part of this campaign and the brand’s ongoing efforts to improve America’s oral health, the makers of LISTERINE® Antiseptic are contributing $100,000 to America’s Toothfairy®, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating pediatric oral disease, and will give an additional $1, up to $5,000, each time the new video is viewed.*
“Having a healthy mouth has always been important to me, but until I worked on this campaign with the makers of LISTERINE® Antiseptic, I didn’t realize that brushing your teeth alone misses the germs in 75 percent of your mouth,” says Chenoweth. “That’s like taking a shower, but only washing one arm! Many people may not know this, which is why I’m very excited to help spread the word about the importance of good oral health, and to help America’s Toothfairy® provide the most vulnerable children with the oral care they deserve, too.”
The campaign stems from findings in the recent “Healthy Mouths” report from the makers of LISTERINE® and REACH® brand, which revealed that Americans are more concerned about germs on their hands (78 percent) than the germs in their mouth (66 percent), despite the fact that one mouth can have more germs than there are people on this earth. The survey also found America to be a “brush and go” nation, with nearly two-thirds reporting they do not floss or rinse as part of their morning routine.
“Emerging science suggests that advanced gum disease may be linked to other health problems like diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and pre-term birth, making good oral health more important than ever,” said dentist Dr. John Dodes. “When it comes to killing germs and keeping your mouth healthy, I recommend brushing, flossing and adding a 30-second rinse with LISTERINE® Antiseptic to your morning and nighttime routines.”
To learn more, and to view and share the video with your friends by email, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.listerine.com/yourmouth.
* Viewing the video will not trigger a donation in the following states: Maine, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Alabama
Kristin Chenoweth is a paid spokesperson to Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
About LISTERINE® Antiseptic
LISTERINE® Antiseptic is the number one dentist-recommended brand of over-the-counter antimicrobial mouthrinse and the only nationally branded over-the-counter antimicrobial mouthrinse that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance. First offered for sale in 1879, first marketed for oral hygiene in 1895, and made today by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., LISTERINE® Antiseptic contains a fixed combination of four essential oils and is clinically proven to kill germs that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath. To learn more about LISTERINE® Antiseptic and to further explore the mouth-body connection, visit www.listerine.com.
America’s Toothfairy®
The LISTERINE® brand is a proud partner of America’s Toothfairy®, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating children’s preventable pain and suffering from severe tooth decay, America’s #1 chronic childhood disease and ensuring all children can receive the comprehensive oral healthcare they deserve. By supporting a growing Affiliate network of nonprofit university and community-based dental clinics, health centers and mobile programs with funding, product donations, and educational resources, America’s Toothfairy® has already touched the lives of over 1 million underserved children!
Severe tooth decay is not only treatable and curable; it is easily preventable with proper oral health care and educational tools. America’s Toothfairy® Affiliates are committed to providing the very best education, prevention and treatment programs for at-risk children nationwide…because every child deserves a healthy smile®. Learn more at www.AmericasToothfairy.org today!
Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. is a leader in the consumer oral health and whitening market with LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash, LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE Anticavity Mouthwash, LISTERINE® WHITENING® Quick Dissolving Strips, LISTERINE® WHITENING® Pre-Brush Rinse, LISTERINE® WHITENING® VIBRANT WHITE® Pre-Brush Rinse, LISTERINE® WHITENING® Pen, LISTERINE® SMART RINSE®, LISTERINE® AGENT COOL BLUE®, REACH® toothbrushes, REACH® floss, and REMBRANDT® tooth whitening products.
(This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; economic factors, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations; trends toward health care cost containment; and increased scrutiny of the healthcare industry by government agencies. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99 of Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2011. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.)
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Contact:
Kerry Robinson
GolinHarris
(312) 729-4141
KRobinson@golinharris.com
Kristina Chang
Johnson & Johnson
Healthcare Products
Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
(973) 385-4370
kchang12@its.jnj.com