Which Should You Keep in Your Purse – Breath Mints or Chewing Gum?

When you need to freshen up your breath, what do you reach for? Breath mints, or chewing gum? The choice might not seem to make a huge difference, so you probably opt for a preferred texture or brand. But did you know sugar-free gum actually has some characteristics that make it much better for your teeth?

It’s true – keep reading to see for yourself. You might just switch out what you keep in your purse!

Breath Fresheners and Artificial Sugar

“Sugar-free” is going to be the key word here as you dive into this topic. Classic sugar fuels the harmful bacteria that collect on your pearly whites after a meal. Once they meet, the bacteria (perhaps much like your toddler) picks up speed, empowering tooth decay and gum disease. So if your mints or gum contain artificial sugar, they’re both going to be bad for your teeth!

Breath Fresheners and Natural Sugar

On the other hand, most (if not all) natural sweeteners used in breath mints and chewing gum help prevent tooth decay. Alternatives like xylitol clog and slow harmful bacteria, causing them to die out before they get a chance to wreak havoc in your mouth!

The Key Ingredient: Saliva

When both products are sugar-free, they do have roughly the same effectiveness when it comes to bad breath and warding off tooth decay. However, since you chew on chewing gum, it stimulates the production of one key ingredient: saliva! Believe it or not, saliva helps clean and protect your teeth by washing out loose bacteria and neutralizing harsh acids. In that sense, gum does your teeth one extra favor.

Stickiness Helps Remove Oral Ickiness

Actually, you’ll have to make that two extra favors. You see, gum sticks to bacteria just about as easily as it sticks to anything else. When it connects with these tooth decay troublemakers, gum lifts them up, away, and into the trashcan when you’re done with it. Bye-bye, icky germs!

Friendly TMJ Disclaimer

The one problem with choosing chewing gum over breath mints is that it does put more strain on your TMJ (the joint responsible for connecting your upper and lower jaw). If you’re prone to jaw pain or know you have a TMJ disorder, it might be better for you to stick to 15-minute chewing sessions or avoid gum altogether.

Otherwise, dentists recommend keeping your favorite flavor of sugar-free gum on-hand. And not just for curing bad breath! Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal or when your typical oral hygiene tools aren’t available can help protect you from bacteria, tooth decay, and gum disease. Now the next time a friend asks for a stick of gum, you can talk all about how your strategic choice is benefiting their oral health.

About the Practice

Our experienced and highly qualified team at Sunrise Dental Center makes a point of keeping up with emerging dental technology and information. That includes research findings about the benefits of sugar-free gum! If you’re looking for personalized care and expert oral health advice, come visit our cozy office in Houston. We’ll make sure you feel welcome and comfortable during your treatment. To request an appointment, you can book through our website or call our office at 713-869-9973.