Earlier this spring, Eclipse brand gum got the smack down from the National Advertising Division (NAD), the major regulatory body for the ad industry. According to the Chicago Tribune, the snafu stemmed from Eclipse’s claim that its newest gum contained a natural ingredient that fights odor-causing bacteria. While the NAD agreed that magnolia bark extract — the ingredient in question — could possibly combat those germs, testing hadn’t proven it conclusively.

Most gums on the market don’t actually kill your bad breath; they simply mask the odors. The same goes for mints. In fact, the sugars contained in many mints and gums merely exacerbate halitosis after the initial freshness wears off.

You see, bad breath is caused by around 800 different kinds of bacteria that breed in the dank confines of the mouth. When we eat, bits of food react with the bacteria and release the stink. Onions and garlic get a particularly bad rap because they contain volatile gasses that react more violently with the germs. This, dear readers, is why we’re told brush and floss after every meal. Between brushings, our saliva helps keep the bacteria farm at bay.

When bad breath strikes, and you aren’t armed with a toothbrush or immediate odor masker, what should you do?