How to make breath mints last longer (without eating the whole pack)

That pillbox hack is genius, not gonna lie. I’ve been known to just toss a handful of mints in a random pocket and then wonder why I’m picking fuzzy Tic Tacs out of my hoodie a week later... Never thought about actually rationing them, but it makes total sense. I used to be the person who’d pop like three at once, especially if I had coffee breath, but splitting them up really does the trick and saves cash.

The mouthwash tabs - yeah, tried those too. They seemed promising, but that chalky after-feel? Nope. Not for me. Also, with my permanent retainer, anything gritty is just asking for trouble.

If anyone’s worried about mints melting in the car or bag, I’ve found keeping them in those tiny metal tins (like old Altoids ones) works pretty well too. They’re sturdy and don’t get all gross, even in summer. But honestly, the pillbox idea is next level... might have to steal that one.

Pillbox for mints is honestly one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” things. I’ve tried using the little plastic baggies before, but then they always get crushed at the bottom of my bag and I end up with mint dust everywhere. Altoids tins are pretty sturdy, but if you’re like me and can’t resist shaking them for that satisfying rattle, you’ll probably still end up eating half the pack in a day.

I totally get what you mean with the mouthwash tabs. Tried those once after seeing a YouTube ad, and I swear I was chewing on sidewalk chalk. Plus, with all the dental work I’ve had (shoutout to my wallet), gritty stuff just feels like a bad idea waiting to happen. Permanent retainer life is a whole saga of its own… don’t even get me started on popcorn.

One thing I’ve started doing is buying the bulk packs of mints from Costco and then splitting them up into smaller containers - definitely cheaper than constantly grabbing the single packs at checkout. The only problem is, I’m not sure if it’s actually saving me money or just making it easier to justify eating more. Kind of like when you buy a giant bag of chips “for later” and then, well, there’s no later.

Curious if anyone’s found a way to make those sugar-free mints last longer? I feel like they dissolve twice as fast as the regular ones, which seems like a scam. Or maybe I’m just impatient. Has anyone tried freezing mints to keep them from melting in the car? Not sure if that would make them weirdly brittle or if it actually helps.

I’ve wondered about freezing mints too, especially during summer when my car turns into a sauna. Tried it once with those little round sugar-free ones from Aldi - honestly, they didn’t really get brittle, but the texture was kind of off. They got weirdly sticky after thawing, almost like they absorbed moisture from the freezer? Not sure if that’s just my freezer being ancient or if it happens to everyone.

I totally relate to the “bulk pack = more snacking” trap. I do the same with gum and end up chewing way more than I mean to, just because it’s there. What’s helped me a little is portioning out a day’s worth into a really tiny container - like, literally a travel pillbox that only fits four or five mints. That way, I have to consciously go back and refill it if I want more, which usually makes me realize, “Okay, maybe I don’t need another one right now.” It’s not foolproof, but it slows me down.

About the sugar-free mints dissolving faster: I think it’s just the way they’re made. The ones with xylitol or sorbitol do seem to melt away way quicker than the old-school sugary ones. I wish there was a trick to make them last longer, but unless you’re willing to just suck on them instead of chewing (which I can never manage), I haven’t found a real solution. Sometimes I’ll break them in half before popping one in, just to trick myself into thinking I’ve had more.

Permanent retainer here too, and yeah, gritty stuff is a nightmare. I avoid anything that even looks like it might get stuck. I’d take mint dust over another emergency ortho visit any day.

If anyone’s got a hack for making sugar-free mints last, I’m all ears. Otherwise, I guess I’ll keep rationing and pretending I have self-control...