Yes and no. Since bad breath is often caused by dry mouth, chewing sugar-free gum can be a great way to get those saliva glands going. Not only will it help to flush out bacteria, saliva also helps usher unwanted food particles from your mouth before they can break down in your mouth. Gums, candies and mints that are loaded with sugar, however, are not going to help. They may mask the odor, but they’ll do little to actually kill the bacteria that are causing your breath to smell. That’s because the sugar sticks to your teeth and gums where it can both break down to cause additional odor and increase plaque buildup. More plaque equals even more bad breath. Your best bet is to brush, floss and rinse twice daily. This will ensure your mouth is optimally clean.