More Than Just Fresh Breath - How CBD Mints May Support Oral Hygiene

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You've heard of using mints for fresher breath. What if we told you there was another plant in town, making a name for itself with its potential to support oral hygiene? Our blending of mint and the cannabis constituent CBD is a combination for the ages, and in this article, we're going to be exploring how it may help you maintain good oral health.

What is CBD? A Brief Reminder

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound derived from many plants in the cannabis family. Specifically, cannabis Sativa is a subspecies of cannabis in which CBD is abundant. Even more specifically, the variety of cannabis Sativa that is brimming with CBD is the hemp plant. The main things to know about cannabidiol can be summarised in a few points:

• CBD may come from a plant that is infamous for getting people "high", but this cannabinoid itself will not make you intoxicated. So, you can let go of the negative connotations you have attached to hemp-derived CBD, as it is fairly different to recreational cannabis. Hemp, from which CBD is extracted, is a different plant from marijuana, and although hemp contains THC, it does not contain nearly as much as marijuana. During the refinement processes, hemp has its THC removed or reduced to the legal limit of 0.2%.

• CBD is non-addictive. Again, despite what you may believe about marijuana, CBD itself is not comparable to any recreational drug.

• CBD is legal  in the UK, on the condition that products contain no more than 0.2% THC. This same law applies to many EU countries. Across the US, the federally enforced legal limit of THC in CBD products is 0.3%.

Mint for oral health: a history

Have you ever wondered how mint came to be so ubiquitous as an agent of fresh breath and good oral health? Here's a loose timeline of how that happened:

• Mid-1870s: a dentist named Washington Sheffield invented toothpaste, adding mint extracts for flavour.
• 1879: Listerine was invented as an antiseptic and marketed to dentists for use on their patients.
• 1890s: Wrigley's introduced a whole line of chewing gums, including Wrigley's Spearmint. The line expanded, and more flavours were added.
• Early 1900s:America was quickly becoming the biggest producer and centre of mint farming, with vast fields of spearmint and peppermint in New York and Michigan. For a time in the early 1900s, Michigan made 90% of the world's mint flavouring, before production moved to the Pacific Northwest.
• 1914:Doublemint gum was added to Wrigley's product line. Around the same time, Pep-O-Mint Lifesavers were invented, followed by Wint-O-Green, Cl-O-ve, Lic-O-Rice, and others. Adverts began playing on the idea of bad breath and targeting Americans worried about this problem.
• Up until the 1990s, Washington and Oregon produced most of the world's mint flavouring and are still the biggest producers in the US.

Today, many major toothpaste, chewing gum, and breath mint companies have adopted synthetic flavouring or cheaper mint extracts from India and China.

Studies have found that peppermint may have antimicrobial properties, which could contribute to the killing of germs in your mouth and, in turn, reduce dental plaque. When peppermint zaps away these microbes, it may help prevent the accumulation of bad-breath particles, keeping your mouth clean and fresh, and your oral health in good condition.

The potential benefits of CBD mints

Energize

Amphora's CBD mints aim to energize and may give you a quick hit of power. The potential of both mint and CBD has been cited in many studies when it comes to increasing alertness and wakefulness. So, when that mid-afternoon drowsiness sets in, one of our mints could potentially help return you to feeling sharp and alert.

Relax

According to dozens of studies and anecdotal reports, CBD may provide relief from anxiety symptoms (as was examined in this 2015 study). CBD is thought to potentially influence brain activity, working with our mood-affecting neurochemicals to potentially help regulate symptoms of anxiety. Indeed, CBD has been seen to possibly affect cortisol levels, as this 1993 study from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, implies. Cortisol is our primary stress hormone which, when produced in overdrive, can make us feel anxious. As well as its impact on cortisol, CBD may have an effect on serotonin, also known as the "happiness hormone".

As well as supplementing your oral health routine, CBD mints could possibly help you to relax, but they won't do this alone. We recommend increasing your mint intake with other CBD products, such as vaping. Non-CBD practices that are advisable for those who need a helping hand to relax include mindfulness (controlled breathing, meditation), yoga, journaling, and arts and crafts.

Regain control of your appetite

CBD mints may present an exciting option for those who find themselves with the urge to binge eat. Research has shown that CBD may possess appetite-suppressing properties, results that were found when testing on clinically obese subjects. In this way, cannabidiol may hold the potential to manage BMI when used as a supplement in connection with a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, CBD is alleged to potentially lower blood glucose levels.

So, CBD has been seen to stunt appetite, and so too has mint, according to studies, such as this one from 2013, which examined mint's effectiveness regarding the digestive system. That being said, these studies usually assess peppermint that has been swallowed rather than being sucked.

To present the other side of the argument, sucking mints could actually stimulate the appetite if you feel as though you are undereating. There is some discord among studies, some of which claim that sucking mints or chewing gum may activate the digestive juices and prepare your body for food, thus making you feel hungrier.

Whichever seems like it applies to you, CBD mints could be useful for supplementing your healthy diet in a variety of ways. However, CBD mints should never be used to replace food or drink, and if you are attempting to regain control of your weight, they should be taken alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise. Equally, if you are using CBD mints to supplement healthy weight gain, you should talk to your doctor about the best approach to doing this.

Calm your nausea

Feeling a little queasy? By potentially manipulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS), CBD may be able to soothe feelings of nausea, as one 2011 study claimed. Popping a CBD mint when the emesis hits could be an avenue to feeling like yourself again.

However, if you are feeling nauseous regularly, it may be best to speak to a doctor and get to the bottom of the issue. Also, bear in mind that studies investigating the effects of CBD on nausea use larger doses than those you will find in CBD mints, which are more useful when it comes to microdosing throughout the day.

Breathe easier

There is some division concerning whether mint actually does anything for blocked sinuses. Many anecdotal reports claim that mint is a natural decongestant that might help to reduce phlegm and mucus, making it easier to breathe when you're 'bunged up'. Strong mints may actually help us feel as though we are breathing better without actually opening up the airways. Mint extract in oils and ointments may be far more robust than dietary mint, for which there is too little research to draw any conclusions about the effects of dietary mint on allergy symptoms.

One active ingredient within peppermint, menthol, has been linked to improved symptoms of sinusitis and relieving "upper airway congestion". One 2012 study even suggested that chewing menthol gum may reduce the nasal symptoms associated with a cold.

Mint also contains a substance called rosmarinic acid, which, according to a 2019 study conducted on rats, may reduce symptoms of asthma. Just like cannabis, the mint plant family is packed with a huge range of plant compounds that may have anti-allergenic effects, according to one 2019 review.

Enhance your confidence

It's no secret that bad breath is a source of great worry for many of us. Our CBD mints might just have you feeling more confident. By supporting your oral hygiene regime with our CBD mints, you can feel reassured and confident that you are doing everything possible for your oral health. And when your confidence lapses, a CBD mint could help bring it back to where it belongs. 

Common CBD concerns

• Can you overdose on CBD?

The great news is, you cannot overdose on CBD. Cannabidiol is a non-toxic substance, and no previous reports of lethal overdose have been recorded. That being said, you may experience an adverse reaction, which could be a result of taking too much for your own personal needs and biology.

In the past, some of the commonly reported adverse side effects of CBD have included nausea, drowsiness, changes in appetite, changes in weight, diarrhoea, and lightheadedness. To avoid adverse reactions, ensure you start with low doses and very gradually take stronger ones to avoid overwhelming your system. Given that CBD mints only contain small doses of cannabidiol, adverse reactions are even less likely. If they do happen and are severe, however, seek medical attention.

• Can you drive after taking CBD?

There is a common misconception around driving and taking CBD. Driving after CBD use is not the same as driving after using marijuana that is rich in THC, which is illegal. It is also not the same as driving after consuming alcohol. Still, some people may feel drowsy or fatigued as a side effect of taking high doses of CBD. If you do feel drowsy as a side effect of CBD, then we strongly recommend not driving, and staying off the roads until you feel alert once more. If CBD doesn't affect you in this way (and with CBD mints, this side effect is unlikely due to the microdoses used), it is more than okay to keep CBD mints in your car and suck them as you drive.

• Will CBD mints make me high?

CBD mints (and CBD in general) will not make you high. This is because legal CBD products will never contain enough THC (the intoxicating cannabinoid) to cause this effect. Furthermore, our CBD mints use CBD isolate, which comes with an even greater guarantee that you will not become high - because the THC has been removed in its entirety, along with all the other cannabinoids.

• Can I become addicted to CBD?

CBD is a naturally non-addictive substance, according to most research. Therefore, addiction to CBD is highly unlikely.

How to maintain oral hygiene

Mints may help you to supplement good oral hygiene, but they won't do this alone. Supporting oral hygiene requires an excellent oral hygiene routine, consisting of the following habits:

• Brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time. You may wish to brush them after each meal. Regular brushing helps reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar on and between your teeth, which could otherwise lead to decay.

• Floss -At the risk of sounding like your nagging dentist, flossing really is essential, as it helps prevent the build-up of food particles and plaque between the teeth. Without supplementing your brushing, it is believed only 60% of the surface of the tooth gets cleaned.

• Clean your tongue - Your tongue may be a hotbed for bacteria, food and dead cells. Using a tongue scraper or specialised brush could be useful for removing these particles.

• Keep hydrated and prevent dry-mouth- Drinking enough water is crucial to keeping your mouth healthy and your breath odour-free. Chronic dry mouth can leave you vulnerable to tooth decay, as saliva helps you fight the bacteria that form dental plaque and cause tooth decay and gum disease. Furthermore, saliva helps to tame the acid that attacks your teeth, and is essential in the breakdown of the food you are chewing, enabling you to swallow more easily. It's therefore important to have enough saliva in your mouth so that your oral health stays intact, your breath remains fresh, and your eating is not made difficult. If you are prone to dry-mouth, chewing gum, or sucking on an (ideally sugar-free) sweet or mint can also help stimulate saliva production. If medication is drying out your mouth, it may be best to chat to your doctor about the best steps forward.

• Drink fluoridated water and brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that is found in many places, such as some foods, and is present in drinking water in many parts of the world. The amount of fluoride in water varies depending on where you are. Fluoride can hugely help oral health by strengthening the tooth's enamel, thus protecting you from tooth decay. In fact, research undergone over 60 years has found that fluoridated water may reduce tooth decay by 40 to 60%. It also reduces the amount of acid that the bacteria on your teeth produce.

• Visit your dentist at least once a year- This advice applies even if you have no natural teeth, or wear dentures. Visiting the dentist is very important in order to keep up with your oral health and make sure you have an eye on any problems with your teeth or gums.

• Limit tobacco and alcohol consumption.On the long list of dangers associated with smoking are those to your oral health. Smoking tobacco can lead to tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, and sometimes even mouth cancer.

The tar and nicotine in the tobacco are the root causes of staining and yellowing of the teeth. Discolouration can also happen pretty quickly if you're a smoker; heavy smokers often find that their teeth are almost brown after years of tobacco consumption. Gum disease may be another byproduct of smoking, as people who smoke are more likely to produce plaque (bacterial waste), which can lead to gum disease.

Equally, regular alcohol consumption can be damaging to your oral health. Alcohol such as white wine, beer and cider can be very acidic, which can erode the enamel on your teeth and lead to decay and sensitivity. Vodka and whiskey are very high in alcohol and will give you a dry mouth, which can lead to the build-up of bacteria. Regularly drinking spirits and mixers or alcopops can also lead to tooth decay, as they are high in sugar.

• Keep your mouth hydrated. Certain mainstream medications can dry your mouth out, as can smoking and drinking alcohol regularly. Your mouth needs plenty of hydration to keep saliva in production, which will help to maintain and build the health of soft and hard tissues. When saliva flow is reduced, oral health problems such as oral infections can develop.

About Amphora's CBD Mints

Sugar-free

Great news for those who are hygiene-conscious like us: our CBD mints are sugar-free! This means you can suck on all the mints to your heart's content without worrying about any sugar rotting your teeth. Sucking sugary sweets, gum, and mints is actually counter-intuitive, as far as freshening your breath goes. This is because the bacteria-causing odour will actually feed on the sweetener or sugar, meaning that after the minty flavours fade, the bad breath smell could return full force, and even worsen. Sugar-free mints, on the other hand, might help to protect your teeth from cavities and prevent unintended bad breath later on.

CBD isolate

CBD isolate is pure CBD, with no potentially interfering cannabinoids or other chemicals from cannabis. In other words, CBD isolate has none of the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that may be found in full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD refinements.

CBD isolate is the most purified form of CBD, meaning it has the highest concentration of CBD out of any other variations and guarantees the absence of THC. As such, isolate products are an excellent match for those who solely want to reap the benefits of cannabidiol and have no interest in the additional cannabis-derived compounds. CBD isolate is also a good option for those who take routine drug tests for work, as a correctly labelled CBD product will not show up or produce a failed test.

Microdoses of CBD

Microdosing CBD means taking minimal amounts of CBD consistently throughout the day. The goal of microdosing is to feed your body a steady stream of cannabinoids to stimulate the ECS. With this in mind, this form of dosing works better for those who use CBD for a stable potential effect, rather than a sudden transformation. For instance, if you're someone who may wish to use CBD to potentially keep stress levels at bay, or support concentration and productivity throughout your workday, microdosing could be an ideal approach to your CBD regime. In fact, researchers have suggested that even small amounts of CBD may effectively activate your serotonin receptors.

However, people facing severe symptoms or health challenges may not find microdosing useful. Instead, they may wish to pursue other CBD formats with much higher doses and simply enjoy CBD mints for their great flavour and more subtle potential benefits.

With CBD mints, there is no need to worry about measuring out your optimal dose. Everything is done for you by us here at Amphora. We have made sure that the dose within each mint is consistent, bringing you fixed amounts of CBD with each unit.

Whether or not you choose to microdose, what's important to remember is not to surpass 70mg of CBD per day.

Sublingual consumption

CBD mints are a wonderful way to take this cannabis constituent sublingually, without using an oil or a spray. When you suck on a CBD mint, the CBD will make its way under your tongue and be consumed via the sublingual gland. This is known to be one of the best delivery methods for getting cannabis into your system because of its high bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to how much CBD is absorbed and made available for use by your body. When CBD is taken via the glands under the tongue, it is thought to have a bioavailability of up to 35%, closely following inhaled consumption, which is believed to be up to 56%.

Portable and Easy

Thanks to our CBD mints, cannabidiol has never been easier to take. CBD mints allow you to take CBD while on the go, as opposed to messing around with a syringe or pipette. They can be stored in your work desk or in your car without fear of leakage, and can even be taken in your hand luggage without worry. Essentially, CBD-infused mints are just standard mints, but have the added potential benefit of this cannabis constituent.

Leave your mouth in mint condition

The great thing about CBD mints is that you can take them wherever you go, store them in your pocket or your handbag for a fresh hit of mint at whatever time of the day. You can feel not only clean and fresh, but confident as well! And what better mint to choose than one that has additional therapeutic potential?

Now that you're aware of all the ways that CBD mints may support your oral hygiene and your general wellbeing, we think you're ready for the next step - happy shopping!