Garlic is an essential ingredient in most savory dishes. The bold, sharp, aromatic flavor gives it culinary value; however, when you eat it, garlic also leaves a distinct odor in your breath.

While it might not bother garlic enthusiasts, it can be a significant problem for people who interact with others regularly or have an important interview or a date coming up. In this article, we will discuss the causes of garlic breath and some simple tricks to neutralize it without much hassle.

Why Does Garlic Cause Bad Breath?

Garlic breath, also known as halitosis, occurs because of the breakdown of garlic’s sulfur compounds. When you eat garlic, it gets partially digested in your stomach and releases volatile sulfuric compounds into your bloodstream.

These compounds travel throughout your body and eventually make their way into your lungs, where they mix with oxygen and create garlic-scented breath.

Garlic’s unique odor can stay in your breath and skin for up to 24 hours after ingestion, depending on factors like the amount and intensity of garlic flavor, your metabolic rate, and other foods you consume with it.

Ways to Neutralize Garlic Breath

1. Drink Water

The simplest and most effective solution to neutralize garlic breath is to drink water. Drinking water helps keep your mouth hydrated and flushes out any residual garlic particles left in your teeth, gums, and tongue, reducing the garlic smell.

Drinking about a liter of water after eating garlic helps in diluting the compounds that cause the distinct smell.

2. Chew Gum

Chewing gum can also help neutralize garlic breath. According to several studies, chewing gum increases saliva production in your mouth and helps eradicate garlic breath.

While any gum will do, it is preferable to opt for sugar-free gums with mint or cinnamon flavor that can mask the garlic smell and provide fresh breath.

3. Lemon Juice

Lemon is a natural odor-eater due to its citric acid content. A quick and easy way to combat garlic breath is to rinse your mouth with a few drops of lemon juice diluted in water.

This method can also fight against cavities and bad taste, leading to healthy oral hygiene.

4. Milk

Milk can help neutralize the sulfuric odor of garlic. Milk products have fat that binds with the sulfur compound in garlic. Drinking milk before or after eating garlic can help combat garlic breath.

Moreover, milk is an excellent option for people with lactose intolerance who cannot consume gum or other dairy-based products.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an effective remedy against bad breath caused by garlic. Its acidity may help neutralize the sulfur compounds responsible for garlic breath.

Dilute a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water, swish it in your mouth, and rinse thoroughly to ward off garlic aftertaste.

6. Parsley

Parsley’s fresh and herbal flavor is known to eradicate the odor of garlic from the mouth. Chew fresh parsley leaves or mix it with your salad or soup to cancel out the smell of garlic breath.

This remedy can also combat chronic garlic breath in people who consume garlic regularly.

7. Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds are known for their digestive properties, and they can also help neutralize garlic breath. Munching on fennel seeds after a garlic-infused meal can help ease indigestion and combat bad breath.

8. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural cleaner and can be used to remove the strong odor of garlic from your breath. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, and rinse your mouth with the solution to combat bad breath.

This remedy can also fight against tooth decay, gingivitis, etc.

9. Green Tea

Green tea contains polyphenols, compounds that help reduce the growth of bacteria in the mouth and throat, resulting in fresher breath. Sip a cup of green tea after garlic-heavy meals to combat garlic breath and maintain good oral hygiene.

10. Oral Care

Oral care is the best way to beat garlic breath. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly, and use a tongue scraper to remove the bacteria that accumulate on your tongue. Use mouthwashes or mouth rinses occasionally to freshen up your breath.

Conclusion

Garlic breath can be unappealing and sometimes even embarrassing, but it can be neutralized using simple remedies like drinking water, chewing gum, consuming milk, and apple cider vinegar.

Parsley, fennel seeds, green tea, and baking soda are also natural remedies that can help fight against bad breath. Lastly, maintaining good oral hygiene is the most effective way to prevent bad breath caused by garlic or otherwise.