Breath Mints?

[Idgy]

I'm about to embark on this promising journey, but I'm used to relying on sugar-free breath mints throughout the day. How do you keep your breath fresh at times where you can't get to the toothpaste? All suggestions would be appreciated!:)

[Gaelen]

Idgy, sugar free breath mints (I use them, too) are comparatively low carb, depending on the brand. I also have used the Listerine melt in your mouth strips and Trident sugar free gum. Unless you're eating enough of them to be a meal replacement, you should be fine. ;)

Just be careful of the ones that contain erythritol...this particular sugar alcohol has recently been discovered to be especially toxic to household pets (dogs, cats, etc.)

[Marilee13]

I think you may find that your mouth stays fresher. At least I do. My teeth seem to feel cleaner and smoother throughout the day. I do brush several times a day and I gargle Listerine in the morning and evening but that's been a regular habit for a long time. Also, I have been on the program about 5-6 years now and I haven't had a cavity since.

[Karen J]

Idgy, sugar free breath mints (I use them, too) are comparatively low carb, depending on the brand. I also have used the Listerine melt in your mouth strips and Trident sugar free gum. Unless you're eating enough of them to be a meal replacement, you should be fine. ;)

Just be careful of the ones that contain erythritol...this particular sugar alcohol has recently been discovered to be especially toxic to household pets (dogs, cats, etc.)

Wow, that is interesting information. Thanks for the warning. I use erythritol sparingly, but I'll definitely heed that advice.

I'm not a mint eater, but my sister uses a brand called "Mintz", and swears by them. They are hard fo find, so she always tells me to buy her a case if I find them in my travels.
My dentist recommends them as well, because the flavorings and sweetener (xylitol) do not cause tooth decay.

[Gaelen]

Ack...KarenJ...not only interesting, but wrong! I was thinking the right artificial sweetener, but typed in the wrong one...

Xylitol is the artificial sweetener common in Trident SF gum and many breath mints that has recently been implicated in poisoning of household pets. Apparently it doesn't take much to cause problems, either--a small pack (5 or 6 pieces) of Trident was enough to poison an 80lb golden retriever, so comparatively small amounts can be pretty deadly.

Anyone who uses bulk xylitol in cooking needs to keep it in a pet-proof cannister out of their reach...and if, like me, you own a scavenger who knows how to forage through purses and backpacks, then you need to keep your SF gum and mints out of those foraging areas, or out of harm's way.

Sorry for the brain cramp; I hate when I do that!

[Joli]

Unfortunately, Trident (and all the other sugar free gums I was able to find) also contains aspartame, which I avoid like the plague. Are there any sugar free gums/mints that don't have aspartame in addition to the xylitol?

[LisaS]

i wasn't sure if you wanted just aspartame-free or aspartame-free AND xylitol-free gum.
a google search on "aspartame-free gum" finds quite a few - but they seem to all have xylitol.
I found one that doesn't have aspartame but doesn't mention xylitol and does mention splenda - you might check with the manufacturer if that is what you need - I'm not sure what "tablet gum" might actually be.
see here:
http://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/sc.10/category.217/it.A/id.1261/.f

[LisaS]

Here is a lc alternative to breath mints - if you are game for it -
chew on a clove or cardamon pod --- mmm - fresh. I used to do this all the time as a kid.

[Karen J]

LisaS, thanks for the memory. I used to chew on cloves as well. Haven't done that in years!
However, I do use clove oil to anesthetize my koi (fish), to do routine microscopic examinations and/or injections. :eek:

Gaelen, Thank you for the correction. I will inform my sister, as she keeps birds. I'd imagine that if it was toxic to larger pets like cats and dogs, only a small amount of it could be deadly to birds as well. Then again, birds aren't dogs... better to err on the side of safety.

I suspect that those breath strips should be more healthful/less harmful than gum or mints because they're so concentrated and use less sweetener. Thoughts?

[Belfrybat]

Here is a lc alternative to breath mints - if you are game for it -
chew on a clove or cardamon pod --- mmm - fresh. I used to do this all the time as a kid.

You mean adults can chew cloves? I thought it was only to prevent parents from smelling the alcohol or tobacco on my breath when I was a teenager! :eek:

I don't use mints or chew gum, but was sent a sample package of the Listerine strips that melt in your mouth. I tried one and it was pretty good. I can't find the pack right now, but I would think it would have less AS than mints or gum.

[Mitra]

Fennel seeds are sometimes used, too.

[monkeyfrog]

Hi,
Listerine Brand Cinnnamon Flavored Breath Strips are sweetened with Acefulme and NOT Aspartame. Watch out as the Mint flavor does have Aspartame.
Mitch