A spontaneous date or job interview can be an exciting opportunity, but if you’ve just eaten a meal with garlic, you might be concerned about bad breath affecting your chances. Luckily, there are several quick ways to freshen your breath. Here’s how to eliminate garlic breath before a crucial event.
You don’t have to give up the flavor and health benefits of garlic and onions. Use these tips to prevent bad breath caused by these vegetables.
1. Drink water
Drinking water after meals can help rinse away garlic or onion particles from the tongue and between the teeth. Additionally, it promotes saliva production, which aids in clearing odor-causing bacteria from the mouth.
2. Brush and floss
Bacteria responsible for bad breath often reside in plaque on the teeth and beneath the gum line. Brushing and flossing after meals can greatly decrease bacteria in the mouth while also removing plaque and food debris, helping to prevent bad breath.
3. Use a tongue scraper
People often overlook brushing their tongue and the roof of their mouth, allowing bacteria to accumulate, especially on the back of the tongue. This can lead to a noticeable white film forming.
Using a tongue scraper or brush daily helps remove dead skin cells, bacteria, and food particles. Scrape until no residue remains on the tool.
Tongue scrapers are available at most pharmacies and can also be purchased online.
4. Rinse with mouthwash
A potent mouthwash, particularly one with peppermint, can help mask the odor of garlic or onions on the breath.
Research indicates that mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide may be especially effective in eliminating plaque, bacteria, and small food particles.
5. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables alongside or after meals can help neutralize the odors of garlic and onion.
A study found that consuming raw apple or lettuce noticeably reduced garlic breath.
6. Eat herb leaves
Chewing parsley after a meal is a traditional remedy for combating garlic or onion breath, as it helps freshen the palate and conceal unwanted odors.
Similarly, research suggests that mint leaves can effectively reduce garlic breath.
7. Try apple cider vinegar
Some individuals claim that mixing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water and drinking it before or after meals helps eliminate garlic or onion breath.
However, this approach is not medically verified. It’s important to consult a doctor before using apple cider vinegar as a home remedy.
8. Have a cup of green tea
Drinking green tea after a meal may help mask strong odors. One study found that green tea was more effective at eliminating bad breath than mints, chewing gum, or parsley oil products.
Green tea may also support oral health. Research suggests that a mouthwash with catechins—beneficial compounds in green tea—can reduce plaque as effectively as antiseptic mouthwash.
9. Chew gum
Chewing mint-flavored gum can help disguise bad breath while on the move. It also encourages saliva production, which helps rinse away bacteria and food particles.
Additionally, the American Dental Association states that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating may lower the risk of tooth decay.
10. Drink milk
Having a glass of milk during or after a meal rich in garlic may help lower the concentration of sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath.
Studies suggest that full-fat milk is more effective at minimizing odor than fat-free milk.
11. Drink lemon water
Lemon juice can help neutralize the smell of garlic or onions on the breath. Adding about one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to a glass of water and drinking it after a meal with garlic or onions may be effective.
12. Remove the garlic’s core
To minimize garlic breath while cooking, cut each garlic clove in half and remove the central stem before using it in a dish.
