Breath mints and sugar-free gum both provide a quick, convenient way to freshen your breath during the day. But while you may be eager to get rid of the lingering scent of your last meal, it’s important to think carefully about the impact you could be having on your oral health. How can breath mints and sugar-free gum affect your mouth? And which is ultimately the better option for your smile? Here’s what you need to know to fight bad breath and prevent dental problems.
Breath Mints and Your Smile
Breath mints help temporarily mask your bad breath while also encouraging the mouth to produce more saliva to wash away odor-causing bacteria. However, it should be noted that breath mints tend to be very high in sugar. As you’re probably well aware, overconsumption of sugar can easily increase your risk for tooth decay. Thus, using breath mints too often could ultimately lead to serious problems in your mouth.
On top of that, many breath mints take the form of hard candy. If you try to bite down on a hard breath mint, the excessive pressure could end up chipping or cracking your teeth.
Sugar-Free Gum and Your Smile
Sugar-free gum fights bad breath the same way that breath mints do: by covering the smell and boosting saliva production. However, since it doesn’t contain any sugar, you don’t have to worry about it contributing to cavities. Furthermore, chewing on sugar-free gum can help remove food particles and plaque from your teeth, making it easier to maintain a clean smile.
Of course, sugar-free gum does have its drawbacks. If you chew on it for too long, you could end up wearing down your teeth, and your jaw may grow sore. As such, it’s generally best to only chew gum for 15 minutes at a time.
What’s the Best Way to Fight Bad Breath?
In general, sugar-free gum poses less of a risk to your oral health than breath mints, making it the better choice for your smile. That being said, the best way to fight bad breath is by practicing excellent oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly can all help reduce the presence of bacteria and food particles in your mouth, therefore making bad breath less likely to happen.
No one wants to be stuck with unpleasant-smelling breath, but it’s not worth putting your oral health at risk to deal with it. When exploring your options for addressing bad breath, make sure that you’re continuing to take good care of your smile at the same time.
About the Author
Dr. Rebecca Long went to the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. She has earned her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction held by only 6% of dentists in the United States. At Westlake Hills Dental Arts, she offers high-quality preventive dentistry to help her patients maintain healthy smiles and fresher breath. If you would like to schedule a checkup and cleaning with Dr. Long, visit her website or call (512) 328-0155.