Smint facts for kids

Smint is a popular brand of sugar-free breath mints. These mints are made by the company Perfetti Van Melle, which is based in Italy and the Netherlands. Smint mints are famous for their special packaging. This packaging lets you get just one mint out at a time. They also have a unique shape, which is like a rounded triangle. The name "Smint" comes from combining "sugarfree" and "mint." Many people think it means "small mint," but that's not right!

The Story of Smint

Smint mints were first thought of in 1990 by the company Chupa Chups. They wanted to create a sugar-free candy for adults. After four years of work, Smint was launched as a new brand. It came to the United Kingdom in 1995.

In 1996, Smint started a famous advertising campaign. It was called "No Smint, no kiss." The goal was to make people think of Smint when they wanted fresh breath for kissing.

By 2001, Smint was a top-selling mint in many countries. In 2006, Smint and Chupa Chups became part of the Perfetti Van Melle company. A few years later, in 2009, Smint launched bigger tins in the UK. These "Smint-XXL" tins were three times larger than the regular ones.

Smint and Your Teeth

Smint mints contain a special ingredient called xylitol. In 2003, Smint began to advertise that xylitol could help your teeth. Xylitol is thought to help reduce plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth. Reducing plaque can help prevent cavities.

Even though the evidence for xylitol's benefits is not super strong, xylitol-sweetened mints are still better for your teeth than mints with sugar. This is because sugar can cause tooth decay. Xylitol, on the other hand, does not harm your teeth.

Smint is approved by an organization called Toothfriendly International. This group checks products to make sure they are safe for your teeth. They make sure products do not wear away your teeth or cause cavities.