After eating dinner, you may discover that you need something to help curb your bad breath. Realizing you have chewing gum and mints in your purse, you wonder which one will be more effective. While your focus may be more on the refreshing taste you experience afterward, you should also consider which is more harmful to your teeth. Keep reading to learn why so many dentists prefer you reach for one over the other.
Chewing Gum or Mints: Which is Best?
When deciding how to freshen your breath, you typically have two options: chewing gum or mints. While both are effective in masking strong odors caused by the food you eat, one is preferable to the other when considering how they impact teeth.
Chewing Gum
Sugar-free chewing gum remains one of the most popular recommendations among dentists and experts, as it not only stimulates saliva production to neutralize harmful acids but also provides a safer way to achieve better-smelling breath.
Mints
Mints are often hard, which means you run the risk of cracking or chipping a tooth when biting down on one. Also, most brands incorporate sugar into their list of ingredients, making them more likely to cause cavities over time. This can be especially true if you are prone to sucking on a mint for a prolonged period.
Why Else Should You Choose Chewing Gum?
Opting for sugar-free chewing gum not only encourages saliva to flush out any food debris or harmful remnants found inside your mouth, but it also minimizes the chances of bad bacteria adhering to your tooth enamel.
Xylitol – a common ingredient in sugar-free gum – is known to reduce the risk of tooth decay and can help with the remineralization process. As a natural sweetener, its taste is similar to regular sugar but is not refined, so it’s not harmful to your teeth.
An important consideration to keep in mind is if you struggle with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), you may want to look for sugar-free mints to avoid further irritating your jaw. Just be mindful not to bite down if you want to keep from visiting your emergency dentist.
Other Ways to Maintain Fresh Breath
The most prominent way to achieve fresher breath is by keeping up with your oral hygiene routine each day. Regular brushing and flossing, as well as rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash, will eliminate any debris and bacteria that might try to break down enamel or cause gum inflammation.
Seeing your dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings is also essential, as you’ll enjoy fresher breath upon leaving their office.
When packing your purse for a night out, make sure to keep your favorite sugar-free chewing gum within reach. Doing so will give you greater peace of mind knowing that you’ll enjoy fresher breath and a healthier smile.
About the Practice
Page Family Dental consists of multiple dentists who are happy to provide patients with at-home tips and techniques they can use to keep their teeth happy and healthy. When looking for a way to freshen your breath after dinner, our team can provide sugar-free gum recommendations that taste great and give your teeth the attention they deserve. Contact us at (781) 284-5443 if you would like to learn more about healthier options you can choose from when it comes to nutrition and smile-friendly breath fresheners.