Introduction

The convenience store (C-store) landscape is evolving rapidly as consumers increasingly seek healthier, functional options in the grab-and-go space. While gum, mints, and confectionery items have long played a role in front-of-store merchandising, the category has seen growing demand for products that do more than just freshen breath. Functional mints – those offering scientifically supported wellness benefits – now represent an emerging opportunity to drive revenue, enhance category relevance, and meet unmet consumer needs.

DentiMints™ enters this space as a first-of-its-kind oral care mint, combining portability, convenience, and real dental health functionality in a familiar format. With active ingredients clinically shown to reduce oral bacteria, support enamel strength, and balance oral pH, DentiMints™ stands at the intersection of self-care and impulse buying.

Category Shifts in Convenience Retail

C-store category data over the past five years highlights a transformation in consumer priorities:

• Traditional sugary mints and candies are experiencing stagnating growth as health-conscious consumers shift toward low- or no-sugar options (Nielsen, 2023).
• Functional snacking has expanded across beverage, bar, and confection segments, with a 12.7% annual growth rate in products labeled for immunity, digestion, or oral care (SPINS, 2024).
• High-velocity, small-format items positioned at checkout or near coffee counters continue to perform exceptionally well when paired with functional attributes.
  
  

These trends create fertile ground for a category innovation like DentiMints™ – a product that delivers both flavor appeal and science-backed oral care benefits.

Consumer Demand for Multi-Benefit Products

Modern convenience store shoppers, particularly younger adults and professionals, are gravitating toward impulse items that contribute to health or hygiene. Oral hygiene in particular plays a role in daily self-care routines across several C-store use cases:

• Post-coffee or energy drink consumption
• After meals or snacks on-the-go
• During or after long-haul drives or shift work
• While traveling by plane, rideshare, or public transit
• Before meetings, social events, or work presentations
  
  

These situational demands align with the functional attributes offered by DentiMints™, making the product a natural fit for high-turn, small-footprint locations in C-stores.

DentiMints™ Product Differentiation

Unlike conventional mints, which are primarily designed to mask breath odors, DentiMints™ is formulated to actively support oral health using clinically validated ingredients:

• Xylitol: Reduces harmful bacteria (Streptococcus mutans), stimulates saliva, and supports pH balance (Mäkinen et al., 2000)
• Sodium Bicarbonate: Neutralizes acids and creates a less cariogenic oral environment (Amaechi & Higham, 1999)
• Hydrated Silica: Provides mild abrasion for mechanical cleaning of plaque and debris (Dörfer et al., 2023)
• ExoCyan Cran®: A cranberry-derived proanthocyanidin extract that prevents bacterial adhesion to teeth and gums while reducing inflammation (Bodet et al., 2008; Frontiers in Nutrition, 2020)
• Calcium Lactate: Replenishes essential minerals to support enamel remineralization and strengthen tooth surfaces (Journal of Clinical Dentistry, 2008)
  
  

Together, these ingredients transform DentiMints™ into a clinically functional product that outperforms traditional mints in both efficacy and purpose.

Merchandising Strategy for the C-Store Environment

DentiMints™ is designed with C-store merchandising in mind:

• Packaged in resealable 10-tablet pouches, optimized for checkout, coffee bar, or travel sections
• Suggested MSRP of $2.79, with strong margin potential for retailers
• Impulse-friendly form factor, similar to gum or mints but elevated in value
• Ideal for bundling with coffee, water, protein snacks, or travel accessories
  
  

Consumer interest in oral hygiene-on-the-go offers a category expansion opportunity alongside existing oral care and mint products. By presenting a distinct functional benefit, DentiMints™ carves out its own niche while complementing the broader front-of-store mix.

Revenue and Category Impact

Retailers face constant pressure to optimize their checkout and impulse areas for revenue per square inch. DentiMints™ supports this goal through:

• Incremental basket value: Functional benefit justifies a higher price point than traditional mints or gums
• Increased purchase frequency: Daily-use potential encourages repeat buying
• Category differentiation: Adds a unique, health-forward product to the oral care/snack mix
• Cross-category relevance: Appeals to self-care, hygiene, wellness, and travel-minded consumers
  
  

The product also helps align C-store offerings with the broader retail trend toward “wellness at every touchpoint.”

Conclusion

As the demand for health-conscious impulse products grows, C-stores are uniquely positioned to lead innovation in the oral care and mint category. DentiMints™ offers a clinically supported, functional upgrade to conventional mints — serving both the hygiene needs of the consumer and the revenue goals of the retailer.

By combining science-backed ingredients with convenience-focused packaging and merchandising, DentiMints™ is poised to become a new revenue driver in front-of-store, grab-and-go, and small-format product sets.

References

Mäkinen, K.K., et al. (2000). Streptococcus mutans levels in plaque and saliva during and after xylitol chewing gum trials in Belize. Journal of Dental Research, 79(3), 882-887.

Amaechi, B.T., & Higham, S.M. (1999). In vitro remineralization of eroded enamel lesions by saliva. Journal of Dentistry, 27(4), 275-280.

Dörfer, C.E., Staehle, H.J., & Wolff, D. (2023). Toothpaste abrasion and abrasive particle content. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 21(1), 50-59.

Bodet, C., et al. (2008). Effects of cranberry polyphenols on cytokine secretion by oral epithelial cells. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 52(11), 1341-1351.

Frontiers in Nutrition. (2020). Functional applications of cranberry bioactives in oral care: a review. Front. Nutr., 7, 573.

Journal of Clinical Dentistry. (2008). Evaluation of enamel remineralization with calcium-containing dentifrices. J Clin Dent, 19(1), 20-24.

SPINS Retail Trends Report. (2024). Functional Food & Beverage Category Performance.

NielsenIQ. (2023). U.S. Mint and Gum Category Performance: The Shift to Functional Formats.