Are breath mints, lozenges, drops, sprays, and chewing gum an effective treatment for bad breath?
Just like with mouthwashes, breath mints, lozenges, drops, sprays and chewing gum, on their own, are usually not an effective means by which to cure bad breath. However, when these products are used in conjunction with diligent tongue cleaning and tooth brushing and flossing they can be valuable adjuncts. Especially if they contain agents that have the ability to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds (such as chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorite, and zinc). As an added benefit, the use of mints, lozenges, and chewing gum stimulates the flow of saliva. As discussed previously, saliva has a cleansing and diluting effect on the bacteria and bacterial waste products that are found in a person’s mouth, thus helping to minimize breath odor problems.
