Garlic can add that special flavor to your meals. But, it is also the reason your breath might have a foul odor. Imagine digging into a garlic pizza, only to be self-conscious regarding your breath later. Don’t frown, though, as we’ll tell you how to get rid of garlic breath in this blog.
Why Does Garlic Cause Bad Breath?
Bad breath, or halitosis, can result from multiple factors. From something you ate to an underlying health condition, any reason can give you unpleasant breath.
Many people experience bad breath after consuming garlic or onions, members of the allium family. Both of these have similar compositions. Furthermore, they have many of the same sulfur compounds. Usually, foods with sulfur compounds are cut, mashed, or mingled with bacteria that emit gas. Consequently, the foods can give you scented or stinky breath.
If you eat garlic or onion, you’ll notice that the bad breath lingers hours later. This is because their byproducts absorb into our bloodstream. Then, it is carried to our lungs, resulting in an unpleasant odor on our breath.
How Can I Get Rid of Garlic Breath?
Garlic can cause bad breath for a long time after you’ve had your meal. However, it has multiple health benefits. Your dentist will help freshen up your breath with a dental cleaning if the cause is poor oral hygiene. You can also try to neutralize foul breath at home.
So instead of avoiding garlic altogether, try these tips to get rid of garlic breath:
1. Brushing Your Teeth
Scrub your teeth and tongue with a toothbrush to scrape away the particles that cause bad breath. Use good toothpaste, and don’t forget to brush your tongue, as food particles may also linger there.
2. Rinsing with Mouthwash
Rinsing your mouth with a minty mouthwash will help mask the unpleasant garlic odor. Carrying a travel-sized mouthwash bottle will help if you’re a garlic lover.
The mouth rinse will help cover the smell until it goes away on its own or you brush your teeth.
3. Chewing Gum
When garlic is invading your breath with its unpleasant odor, chewing gum can help get rid of it. Always carry a piece of mint gum to freshen up your breath when needed. In addition, chewing gum helps stimulate salivary flow. As a result, the extra saliva will wash away the odor-causing garlic particles.
Dentists recommend choosing sugar-free gum. This is because gum with sugar can lead to tooth decay.
4. Drinking Green Tea
Green tea can effectively get rid of garlic breath because it helps remove the odor-causing compounds that linger in your mouth. Plus, it supports healthy digestion, so it is an excellent beverage choice to have after your meals.
5. Staying Hydrated
A dry mouth can result from insufficient fluids in your body. Keeping yourself hydrated helps keep foul breath at bay. Not drinking enough fluids could increase sulfur production in your mouth, causing bad breath. Moreover, it will ensure that your mouth produces sufficient saliva.
Drinking water or other fluids can also dislodge any food particles or bacteria in your mouth, which might be why your breath reeks.
6. Consuming Apples, Spinach, or Mint
Have apples for dessert or chew online leaves following your garlic-heavy meals. These options can neutralize your garlic breath and get rid of the stinking odor in your mouth. Other than this, lemon juice also helps.
What Should I Do?
If you have persistent bad breath or suspect an underlying medical condition, it is better to consult a professional. Our Champions Dental team always takes your concerns seriously. Dial (281) 866-0442 to contact us now and improve your oral health.