Souvlaki is a popular Greek fast food dish made of grilled meat (usually lamb, chicken, or pork) on a skewer, accompanied by pita bread, vegetables, and tzatziki sauce.
Although it is delicious, one of the biggest downsides of eating souvlaki is the garlic breath that lingers afterwards. Here are the top 30 ways to get rid of garlic breath after enjoying souvlaki:.
1. Brush Your Teeth and Tongue
After eating souvlaki, the best way to get rid of garlic breath is to brush your teeth and tongue. Make sure to use toothpaste that contains baking soda, as it can help neutralize the odor-causing compounds in garlic.
Brush for at least 2 minutes to thoroughly clean your mouth.
2. Use a Mouthwash or Rinse
In addition to brushing, using an alcohol-based mouthwash or rinse can help kill bacteria and freshen your breath. Choose a product that contains chlorine dioxide or hydrogen peroxide, which can break down the compounds in garlic that cause odor.
3. Drink Water
Drinking water can help flush out your mouth and dilute the garlic compounds in your saliva. Sip on water throughout the day to keep your mouth hydrated and fresh.
4. Chew Fresh Parsley
Parsley is known for its ability to neutralize bad breath, including garlic. Chew a sprig of fresh parsley after eating souvlaki to help combat garlic odor.
5. Chew Fresh Mint
Like parsley, mint also has breath-freshening properties. Chew on a fresh mint leaf or drink mint tea to help mask garlic breath.
6. Use Essential Oils
Essential oils like peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, and clove can help freshen your breath and eliminate garlic odor. Add a drop of essential oil to your toothpaste, mouthwash, or water to help kill bacteria and neutralize odor.
7. Drink Green Tea
Green tea contains polyphenols, which can help neutralize the odor-causing compounds in garlic. Sip on green tea after eating souvlaki to help freshen your breath and aid digestion.
8. Eat Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits contain citric acid, which can help break down the compounds in garlic that cause odor. Eat a slice of citrus fruit after eating souvlaki to help freshen your breath.
9. Eat Crunchy Vegetables
Crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery, and cucumbers can help scrape away food particles and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Eating these vegetables after souvlaki can help freshen your breath and keep your mouth healthy.
10. Eat Dairy Products
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt contain lactic acid, which can help neutralize odor. Eating a small amount of dairy after souvlaki can help combat garlic breath.
11. Lemon Rinse
Combine fresh lemon juice with warm water and use it as a rinse. Gargle with the mixture for 30 seconds before spitting it out. This can help kill bacteria and neutralize garlic odor.
12. Baking Soda Rinse
Add baking soda to warm water and use it as a rinse. Gargle with the mixture for 30 seconds before spitting it out. This can help neutralize the odor-causing compounds in garlic.
13. Salt Water Rinse
Add salt to warm water and use it as a rinse. Gargle with the mixture for 30 seconds before spitting it out. This can help kill bacteria and freshen your breath.
14. Use a Tongue Scraper
Use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria and food particles from your tongue. This can help freshen your breath and reduce garlic odor.
15. Chewing Gum
Chewing gum can stimulate saliva production, which can help rinse away garlic odor. Choose a sugar-free gum with a strong mint flavor for best results.
16. Use an Air Freshener Spray
Spray an air freshener into your mouth to help mask garlic odor. Choose a product that contains mint or citrus for best results.
17. Suck on a Breath Mint
Sucking on a breath mint can help freshen your breath and mask garlic odor. Choose a product that contains peppermint or spearmint for best results.
18. Drink a Glass of Milk
Drinking a glass of milk can help neutralize garlic odor. The fat and protein in milk can bind to the compounds in garlic and reduce their potency.
19. Eat Plain Yogurt
Eating plain yogurt can help neutralize garlic odor. The live cultures in yogurt can help kill bacteria and freshen your breath.
20. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar
Drinking apple cider vinegar can help neutralize garlic odor. It can also aid digestion and reduce inflammation in the body.
21. Eat Honey
Eating honey can help neutralize garlic odor. The natural sweetness can also help mask garlic odor.
22. Eat Nuts
Eating nuts like almonds or walnuts can help neutralize garlic odor. The proteins and oils in nuts can help neutralize odor and freshen your breath.
23. Eat Fennel Seeds
Eating fennel seeds can help neutralize garlic odor. The natural oils in fennel seeds can help freshen your breath and aid digestion.
24. Eat Ginger
Eating fresh ginger can help neutralize garlic odor. The natural oils in ginger can help kill bacteria and freshen your breath.
25. Eat Pineapple
Eating pineapple can help neutralize garlic odor. The natural enzymes in pineapple can help break down the compounds in garlic that cause odor.
26. Drink Tomato Juice
Drinking tomato juice can help neutralize garlic odor. The acidity in tomato juice can help neutralize the odor-causing compounds in garlic.
27. Eat Melon
Eating melon can help neutralize garlic odor. The natural sweetness can help mask garlic odor, while the water content can help flush out your mouth.
28. Use a Breathalyzer
Use a breathalyzer to check the effectiveness of your garlic-breath remedies. If your garlic breath persists, try a different method until you find one that works for you.
29. Wait it Out
In some cases, the best way to get rid of garlic breath is to wait it out. Garlic odor can linger for up to 24 hours, but it will eventually fade.
30. Avoid Garlic
If you want to avoid garlic breath altogether, the best solution is to avoid eating garlic. Instead, try other herbs and spices to flavor your food.