How to get rid of garlic and onion breath? This garlic care guide is to help you get rid of garlic and onion breath either after eating or taking garlic as medicine.
Everyone suffers from bad breath from time to time. Bad breath can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from the foods you eat to underlying medical disorders (halitosis). Garlic and onions are two of the most potent culinary offenders, especially when eaten raw.
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The allium family includes onions and garlic. They have a similar chemical make-up and several of the same sulfur compounds.
Foods have a particular flavor due to sulfur molecules. When sliced or mashed, they create different gases that mix with gas-emitting bacteria, resulting in perfumed breath.
Garlic and onions can leave you with unpleasant breath for hours after you eat them. Their metabolites are taken into the bloodstream and delivered to the lungs as part of the digestive process, causing bad breath to return.
8 TIPS TO GET RID OF GARLIC AND ONION BREATH
Garlic and onions should not be avoided because of foul breath. Their health benefits outweigh the smell, and there are ways to mitigate it.
1. EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES LIKE APPLES, SPINACH, OR MINT.
Eat apples for dessert or chew on fresh mint leaves if you’re eating a particularly garlic-heavy meal.
One study found that, according to Trusted Source, the chemical structure of raw or hot apples, lettuce, and mint helped neutralize garlic breath. Lemon juice and hot green tea may also be beneficial.
2. BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR TEETH AFTER EATING.
The bacteria that causes bad breath can be found below the gum line and in plaque buildup on the teeth. After eating onions or garlic, brushing and flossing can help remove odor-causing germs as well as food residue.
Brushing below the gum line with an electric toothbrush can help eliminate plaque. This helps to keep your breath fresher for longer. Brushing the roof of your mouth and your tongue as far back as a toothbrush will go is also beneficial.
Keep floss that fits in your wallet on hand for on-the-go situations. Flosscards can be purchased online.
3. USE A MOUTHWASH CONTAINING CHLORINE DIOXIDE.
There is some scientific data to back this up.
According to a reliable source, mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide are effective for foul breath.
Chlorine dioxide can aid in the removal of plaque, bacteria that cover the tongue, and food particles. When camping, this is the same component that is used to cleanse and improve the flavor of outdoor water.
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Mouthwash is most effective when used after brushing and flossing. It’s also crucial to follow the directions on the bottle to avoid oral discomfort or misuse.
Buy mouthwash with chlorine dioxide online.
4. WORK WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils can be added to alcohol-based mouthwashes. Some contain antimicrobial qualities in addition to refreshing the breath.
You may also make your own mouthwash at home by combining essential oils with a carrier oil (coconut, sweet almond, or olive).
Essential oils that have been shown to help with foul breath include:
- peppermint
- rosemary
- myrrh
- eucalyptol
To assist in getting rid of food particles, bacteria, and odor, swish 1 teaspoon of carrier oil with a drop of peppermint oil in your mouth. Food-grade oils are available in grocery shops and online. Keep an eye out for added sugars.
Peppermint oil can be purchased online.
5. USE TONGUE CLEANERS IF NECESSARY.
Bacteria can also flourish and spread on the back of the tongue, where your toothbrush cannot reach. Dead cells, small food particles, and germs can all cause a white tongue.
Tongue cleaners, such as brushes and scrapers, can assist you in reaching the back of your tongue. They’re also good at getting rid of odor-causing residue.
Start at the back of your tongue and gently scrape forward with a tongue scraper. As a result, the white residue will be brought to the front of your mouth as a result of this action. Continue rinsing and repeating this process until the scraper has no visible residue.
You can use a tongue scraper on a daily basis or after eating garlic or onion-based dishes.
A tongue scraper can be purchased online.
6. GET PLENTY OF WATER
Keeping bad breath at bay might be as simple as drinking enough water throughout the day.
This is partially because a dry mouth can increase the production of sulfur, which can lead to bad breath. It can also help you avoid dehydration and ensure that you have enough saliva.
Furthermore, rinsing your mouth with water or other fluids will help remove any residual food particles or bacteria, both of which can contribute to odor.
7. TAKE A SIP OF GREEN TEA.
After a meal, drink a hot cup of green tea to mask the odor until you can get to the restroom and brush your teeth.
In a 2014 study, 15 people used green tea catechin mouthwash and found it to be as efficient as antiseptic mouthwash at preventing plaque. According to another analysis of studies, green tea was found to be effective in reducing bad breath and preventing the formation of bacteria, according to another analysis of studies.
8. TAKE A BITE OF SPEARMINT GUM.
Garlic breath can be temporarily alleviated by chewing spearmint gum. It may also help to alleviate acid reflux, which can lessen the effects of garlic and onions after digestion.
TAKEAWAY
Garlic breath does not last indefinitely, even if its effects do.
If you think you could have garlic or onion breath, prepare ahead of time. For example, before a job interview, you should avoid eating an onion bagel for breakfast.
Alternatively, you can experiment with these home treatments to see which one works for you and take the one that does the trick.
