Abstract: A long lasting breath mint including a carrier and a flavorant, wherein the carrier includes at least one of a high viscosity cellulose ether and a low viscosity cellulose either and an alginate. The carrier forms a gel upon contact with saliva. A tablet is placed in the mouth of user, whereupon the tablet is wetted with saliva. A surface of the tablet is converted to a gel resulting in a tablet having an outer gel layer and a core. The gel serves as an adhesive for adhering the tablet to mouth structure. The gel slows exposure of the core to moisture and also slows diffusion of flavorant into the mouth of the user with the gel resulting in a breath mint having an extremely long life prior to complete dissolution, e.g., greater than 30 minutes or longer.

Abstract: A long lasting breath mint including a carrier and a flavorant, wherein the carrier includes at least one of a high viscosity cellulose ether and a low viscosity cellulose either and an alginate. The carrier forms a gel upon contact with saliva. A tablet is placed in the mouth of user, whereupon the tablet is wetted with saliva. A surface of the tablet is converted to a gel resulting in a tablet having an outer gel layer and a core. The gel serves as an adhesive for adhering the tablet to mouth structure. The gel slows exposure of the core to moisture and also slows diffusion of flavorant into the mouth of the user with the gel resulting in a breath mint having an extremely long life prior to complete dissolution, e.g., greater than 30 minutes or longer.