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How a Breath Mint Could Damage Your Teeth |
Posted on 12/21/2020 by Watermark Dentistry |
| While some people think that a breath mint provides them with a defense against social embarrassment, they may not realize that chewing a mint can also damage their teeth. The information below explains why a breath mint is usually not a good choice for freshening the breath. When a Breath Mint Leads to Dental Damage A breath mint usually takes the form of a hard candy - a candy that can fracture dental enamel and lead to decay, especially if it contains sugar. While the flavor in the mint will indeed freshen the breath, the candy itself can damage the teeth and increase the risk of decay. If you suck on a mint with sugar and don't chew on it, it still is not good, as you prolong the time that the sugar stays in your mouth. Also, you can liken the use of a mint to healing a cut with a Band-aid. The freshening power of the mint only offers a temporary fix, as it can only be used to mask bad breath. If you do have halitosis and have resorted to covering it up with breath mints, you need to find out the reason for the bad breath. Also, the freshness of a mint will not last that long. Therefore, you can end up depending on too many mints (especially if they contain sugar) to freshen your mouth. The Best Alternative No breath mints have been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) for use thus far. While some mints do contain Xylitol, which has been proven to prevent tooth decay, the best way to prevent damage to the teeth and dental decay is to brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste. If this is not possible, drink water. The water will maintain the natural level of bacteria in the mouth and wash away the extra food particles and plaque that lead to decay. We are always here to help with any dental concerns or questions. Give us a call today to schedule a dental cleaning and exam.... Read more... |
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