Chewing Gum and Mints for Fresh Breath

The concept of fresh breath is one that is widely understood and shared by many, with people all over the world resorting to breath strips or mouthwash to improve their oral hygiene. While toothbrushing is the most effective method to achieving fresh breath, the two most popular and widely known methods to achieve a quick fix are breath mints and chewing gum. It can be argued that people tend to have a preference between the two, as you rarely see someone carrying both mints and gum and typically have one or the other. The use of breath mints and chewing gum to improve bad breath are two popular methods of oral hygiene, however, mints can be swallowed and gum cannot, and mints have a more long-lasting flavor than their gum counterparts. Both are easily accessible ways to achieve fresh breath, yet are surprisingly different.

Chewing gum is a popular way to decrease bad breath and oral bacteria, and comes in a variety of different flavors. Chewing gum is chemically made to withstand chewing and saliva over longer periods of time, and therefore are more difficult to dissolve in the mouth. Also, gum typically is made with sugar and has been researched to cause tooth decay and cavities (Cleveland Clinic). Breath mints, on the other hand, are smaller methods that are used to freshen the breath. Mints are dissolvable tablets that typically come in menthol or cinnamon flavors, and are not as widely attributed to tooth decay unlike gum. Mints generally have the same breath-freshening qualities as gum and have been found to be rather distinct than gum.

Both chewing gum and breath mints are used for the same reason, however, the two are radically different. People tend to have a preference between the two, with validity. The most obvious difference is that breath mints can be swallowed, and chewing gum typically cannot be. Furthermore, breath mints do not come in as many flavors as gum does and typically are limited to menthol and sour flavors. Chewing gum can be found in a variety of flavors, ranging from classic menthol to sweet watermelon (Commerce Drive Dental). Chewing gum also does not only mask bad breath as do breath mints, but it actually improves it by aiding to kill certain bacteria that cause bad breath (Solstice). However, while gum is more varied than mints, it does have its drawbacks. Mints have been found to be more flavorful than gum, and tend to last longer in the mouth (Solstice). Also, if you chew gum, you’re committing to having something in your mouth for a longer period of time than you would with a mint, which tires the jaw and even contributes to problems like Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which occurs after erosion of tissue by the mandible bone and joint (Cleveland Clinic). Evidently, gums can be more favorable than mints but do have their distinct differences that contribute to people’s preferences in choosing a method for improving their breath.

While chewing gum and breath mints are two different ways to achieve fresher breath, the two may not be as different as they may be advertised to be. Chewing gum is one way to achieve fresh breath, and is even used by some people to clean their mouths as an alternative to tooth brushing. Breath mints are also used for the same reason and are sold for relatively the same price. Both mints and chewing gum are ways to achieve better oral hygiene, and both can be bought in flavors that are widely enjoyed, like mint and fruit. In addition, both chewing gum and mints are socially acceptable methods to improve bad breath and are more accessible than brushing your teeth or rinsing with mouthwash (Commerce Drive Dental). Furthermore, both gum and mints stimulate the flow of saliva in the mouth, which helps to cleanse it (Cleveland Clinic). Also, both chewing gum and breath mints come in sugar-free options, which can be beneficial to those who suffer from diabetes or are simply on a diet. Overall, both mints and gum are excellent ways to decrease bad breath and are favored by many.

While chewing gum and breath mints have their distinct differences, ranging from flavor accessibility to more effectiveness in decreasing oral bacteria, the two are socially acceptable methods to decrease bad breath. People tend to have a personal preference between the two, but overall it depends on the situation. Gum can be used for longer periods of time than can mints, but mints are not the culprits of TMJ, unlike gum. While the two have distinct differences and are observed in various ways, we can observe that it is usually up to the user to decide which one is better than the other.