Tackling Bad Breath: What CBD Mints Could Do For Oral Hygiene
Reading time – 11 minutes
It is estimated that 1 in 4 people globally have bad breath. That probably means there is at least one person in your extended family or friend group afflicted with so-called "halitosis" (the name given to bad breath by dental professionals). The thought of having bad breath is a source of anxiety and worry for so many of us. In fact, the daily use of face masks throughout the COVID-19 era has brought relief to many who are plagued with these worries, both because they haven't had to breathe in anybody's face, nor have their face breathed on. There are numerous reasons why a person may have bad breath, and thankfully, there are dozens of ways to rectify the issue, which we will explore in greater detail shortly. Halitosis is quite easily remedied in many cases, and now, we are here at Amphora to give you another supplement for the unpleasant taste in your mouth: CBD mints.
Why does bad breath happen?
Bad breath can occur for any number of reasons. Some examples may include:
- Dry mouth: Saliva naturally cleans the mouth. Therefore, a lack of this can make odours build up in your mouth. You may get dry mouth due to not drinking enough or because of certain medications you take.
- Poor dental hygiene: When you brush and floss your teeth properly, you ensure the removal of tiny particles of food. These small food particles can accumulate between the teeth and slowly break down, producing a foul odour. Some foods in particular, such as onions and garlic, are also likely to cause bad breath if dental hygiene is not properly maintained. After these foods are digested, their breakdown products are carried in the blood to the lungs, where they can affect the breath.
If you visit the dentist as regularly as you should, you'll have heard them talking to you about plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria that builds up if brushing is irregular or not thorough. Plaque can irritate the gums and cause inflammation between the teeth and in the gums. Too much of it, and gum disease can happen, which can also be an underlying factor in bad breath - and a host of other dental problems.
The regular cleaning of retainers, dentures, or braces, if you have them, is also essential, as these can also collect particles that can cause bad breath.
- Medication: Certain medications can reduce saliva production, giving you dry-mouth and creating odours. Some medication(s) may also release chemicals that affect the breath when they are broken down.
- Diets and Fasting: Fasting or following dietary regimes that involve low-carbohydrate intake may cause bad breath. This can happen due to the way fats break down. When fats break down, they produce chemicals called ketones. Ketones have a strong aroma that can affect your breath.
- Mouth, nose and throat conditions: Occasionally, bacteria-covered, small stones can form on the tonsils at the back of the throat. These can produce an odour, in turn causing halitosis. Equally, infections or inflammation in the nose, throat, or sinuses may be a cause of breath odours.
- Smoking:Cigarettes and other tobacco products can cause mouth odours. You'll no doubt have smelt smoke on somebody's breath before - it's pretty standard immediately after someone smokes a cigarette, and can linger for far longer than desired. Smoking also increases the likelihood of gum disease, which can be another issue underpinning bad breath.
Tackling bad breath
As we said, there are several measures that you can take if you suspect you may have bad breath. Most of them are pretty basic, but are sometimes overlooked.
- Brushing your teeth properly. Brushing should take place twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time. It is preferable to do so after each meal. We know sometimes it can be tempting to go to sleep without having brushed, especially when you collapse onto your bed at the end of the day and the bathroom is a walk down the hall. However, it's super important to keep up with brushing and reduce the amount of plaque and tartar that can pile up on and in between your teeth.
- Flossing reduces the build-up of food particles and plaque between the teeth. Brushing alone only cleans around 60% of the surface of the tooth.
- Cleaning your tongue - The tongue may be a cesspit for the build-up of bacteria, food and dead cells. This can be exacerbated in smokers or those with a particularly parched mouth. Try using a specialised tongue scraper to clean it.
- Keeping hydrated - Drinking enough water is crucial to keeping your breath odourless. Alcohol and tobacco both dehydrate the mouth, so it may be best to avoid these if you get bad breath. Chewing gum or sucking on an (ideally sugar-free) sweet or mint can also help stimulate saliva production.
- Watching out for odorous foods - Eating foods such as onion, garlic, and spicy foods can be a contributing factor towards unwanted breath odours. Foods that are high in sugar are also linked to bad breath, as are certain beverages, such as coffee and alcohol. That doesn't mean you should stop enjoying these things, but perhaps consider brushing after a meal that contains the foods we mentioned, or taking extra care when brushing your teeth after drinking alcohol or coffee.
What to do when a loved one has halitosis
It can be a pretty awkward situation if a loved one has a problem with their breath. It's important to note, though, that as embarrassing as it may be to have this conversation in the short-term, it is a conversation well worth having in the long-run. Ultimately, talking through the problem is the kindest possible thing you could do for a person who has bad breath; this kindness outweighs any short-term embarrassment that both parties may feel.
Really, all you're doing is preventing a future situation where somebody else may tell them in a more insensitive way. On that note, it's crucial to tell them in a manner that informs them of the situation in a friendly and helpful way. Try offering a mint, or quietly telling them in a diplomatic and kind way, reassuring them it happens to you too sometimes. It may also be a good idea to tell them that you would want someone to tell you if it were the other way around. Avoid making the conversation sound grave or too serious, whilst also making sure you don't sound like you're making fun of them.
What is CBD?
CBD is a cannabinoid that comes from cannabis. More specifically, it comes from the hemp plant, a variety of cannabis Sativa - one of the main subspecies of the cannabis family. A cannabinoid is a compound that is exclusively found in cannabis. There are thought to be over 100 of these cannabinoids, CBD being one of the most important (alongside THC).
The popularity of CBD has soared in recent years, with people everywhere increasingly realising the enormous potential of this cannabis constituent. Today, CBD can be taken as a wellness supplement in various formats. For instance, you can take it via a vaping device in vapour form, or as a capsule, or, as we are about to discuss, as a mint.
What are CBD mints?
CBD mints are simply mints that are infused with cannabidiol. Of the various formats in which CBD can be found, CBD mints would be classed as edible. Here at Amphora, our Cinnamint CBD mints are energising, sugar-free, and contain a dose of CBD isolate- that's pure CBD, with no potentially interfering cannabinoids, and certainly no THC to potentially make you high.
How do you take a CBD mint?
You would take a CBD mint as you would a regular mint - by simply sucking it until it shrinks, before eventually swallowing the remainder.
Sucking a CBD mint will allow the minty aroma to be spread around your mouth, freshening your breath as it does so. The cannabidiol will also be spread around your mouth, and will be taken into your system via the sublingual gland under your tongue, allowing for fast and simple absorption.
The potential benefits of CBD mints
Fresh breath
There's a reason why mint is used in toothpaste, mouthwash and gum. Peppermint, and its active ingredient, menthol, is a widely recognised agent of fresh breath. Peppermint has antimicrobial properties that may help kill the germs that are building up in your mouth, which can cause dental plaque. By killing off these microbes, peppermint can help prevent bad-breath particles from building up in your mouth.
Energised
Mint may keep you energised and alert, according to research. One study in particular highlights that, after taking peppermint oil capsules, 24 young, healthy subjects experienced less fatigueduring a cognitive test. Furthermore, the use of peppermint oil in aromatherapyhas been shown to possibly reduce feelings of drowsiness.
And mint isn't the only nature-derived substance that is believed to hold such energising potential; that's right, CBD is also purportedly a wake-promoting agent. One 2014 study highlights how CBD in small doses may promote alertness and potentially minimise daytime sleepiness.
Sugar-free
Another great perk of our CBD mints is that they are sugar-free! This will help improve your chances of tackling bad breath because, as you'll remember from earlier, sugary foods and sweets can lead to bad breath.
CBD isolate
CBD isolate is a hugely beneficial form of cannabidiol. It is made up of cannabidiol and cannabidiol only. This makes it starkly divergent from full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD refinements, as isolate does not contain any of the other constituents of the hemp plant, such as other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. CBD isolate is the most purified form of CBD, meaning it has the highest concentration of CBD out of any other variations. It is excellent for those who are not interested in the additional cannabis components that may be present in other products, or who regularly take tests for recreational drugs (which CBD is not).
CBD: general hints & tips
Given that our CBD mints contain only small doses of cannabidiol, there has never been less to worry about, in terms of getting it wrong or taking too much. Still, here are some of the best tips for general CBD use.
- CBD mints should not be used instead of maintaining oral hygiene. In other words, mints should be taken in conjunction with regular brushing and flossing.
- Just because our CBD mints contain CBD does not necessarily mean they will bring all the benefits reported in CBD-based studies.
- CBD, in any format, will never cure, prevent, or treat any disease.
- CBD mints will not intoxicate you, so it's okay to take them as you drive and stow them in your car. That being said, if CBD makes you feel drowsy (a potential side effect of CBD use), you should avoid driving until this passes.
- Avoid taking over 70 mg of CBD per day - this is the guideline given by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). You'd have to take numerous CBD mints to exceed the 70 mg threshold, but it is still important to bear the limit in mind.
- If you are taking any kind of medication(s), it is imperative that you talk to a doctor before using CBD. Various medications occupy the same enzymes as CBD, meaning the metabolisation of your medication could be delayed after consuming CBD. Though CBD mints contain a small concentration of cannabidiol, it may still be a good practice to get the go-ahead from your doctor.
- Finally, if you believe your halitosis is a persistent problem that doesn't seem to respond to good maintenance of oral hygiene and sufficient hydration, it may be worth seeking the advice of a dentist or doctor. It could be to do with saliva production, a dental issue such as plaque, or some other underlying issue.
Final note
It's no exaggeration to say that we change our behaviour in small ways to avoid subjecting people to foul mouth odours. Whether that means avoiding your favourite BBQ-flavoured or cheese and onion crisps, or not having that tuna sandwich you fancy - the smell of your breath often dictates the choices we make, especially when it comes to food. And when we do indulge in those potentially pungent foods, as we should, it can be stressful afterwards, when you feel you might have bad breath, and you have few ways to remedy it outside of the house.
At Amphora, we think the way your breath smells no longer has to be a source of stress or worry. Leaving the house with a pack of our CBD mints in tow might just be the perfect solution to your breath-related worries! Our CBD mints combine two of nature's most wonderful plants, bringing you the best of what both have to offer. CBD mints will enable you to indulge guilt-free in your favourite potently-scented foods as you please.
Written by | Infused Amphora Team
The Infused Amphora Team is dedicated to creating resources to educate and engage consumers on the growing evidence of CBD benefits and the extensive health and wellness properties of CBD Oil.
Contributor | Angus Taylor CEO
Infused Amphora “Learn” is intended for informational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.