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How To Get Rid Of Garlic Breath 2024: 10 Ways To Try

Syed Hasan
by

Reviewed by Dr. Drew Sutton, MD
how to get rid of garlic breath
There are multiple effective methods to eliminate garlic breath and restore fresh breath. Photo: Thanh Pham/Shutterstock

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Garlic, a delightful ingredient that elevates dishes, often leaves us with an unwelcome companion: garlic breath. But fear not! We have the solution to restore your breath’s freshness. In this article, we’ll explore effective methods to eliminate garlic breath, incorporating popular ingredients known for their health benefits, such as lemon water, apple cider vinegar, and matcha.

Discover the secrets to bidding farewell to garlic breath[1], allowing you to savor the flavors you love without lingering odor. Join us as we uncover practical techniques to restore your breath’s fresh appeal. So say goodbye to garlic breath and embrace a world where culinary pleasures and fresh breath coexist harmoniously.

How To Get Rid Of Garlic Breath?

There are multiple effective methods to eliminate garlic breath and restore fresh breath. This article will discuss various approaches, including:

  • Use A Mouthwash
  • Sip Apple Cider Vinegar  
  • Drink Green Tea  
  • Drink Lemon Water 
  • Chew Gum
  • Eat Fresh Produce 
  • Drink Milk
  • Using Essential Oils
  • Properly Clean Your Mouth
  • Take Out The Garlic’s Core

How To Get Rid Of Garlic Breath?

Use A Mouthwash

how to get rid of garlic breath
Rinsing with a mouthwash can help you get rid of garlic breath. Photo: Roman Zaiets/Shutterstock

Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash can help neutralize the odour-causing compounds in garlic and freshen your breath.

Sip Apple Cider Vinegar  

Apple cider vinegar, popular for its numerous health benefits, can also aid in eliminating garlic breath. Create a mixture of water and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV), then slowly sip it to neutralize unpleasant odors. In case you’re not a fan of Apple cider vinegar, you can also eat raw apples as they can also eliminate garlic breath.

Unveiling The Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar

  • Digestive Health: ACV can aid digestion by promoting the making of stomach acid, which helps break down food and supports nutrient absorption.
  • Blood Sugar Control: Research has demonstrated that consuming ACV can enhance insulin sensitivity and contribute to regulating blood sugar levels, making it advantageous for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.
  • Weight Management: ACV may assist in weight loss and management by supporting feelings of satiety, reducing overall calorie consumption, and positively impacting metabolism.
  • Antimicrobial Properties: ACV has antimicrobial properties that can help inhibit the growth of certain harmful bacteria, making it a potential natural remedy for various infections.

Drink Green Tea  

Green tea[2] provides a refreshing taste and contains polyphenols that can help reduce the intensity of garlic breath. So enjoy a cup of green tea after a garlicky meal to freshen your breath

Drink Lemon Water 

Lemon water benefits not only your overall health but can also assist in combating garlic breath. Add a couple of lemon juice drops into a glass of water to counteract the odors, and leisurely drink it to neutralize the unwanted scents.

The Health Benefits Of Lemon Water

  • Hydration: Lemon water is an excellent way to stay hydrated, as it adds a burst of flavour to plain water, making it more enjoyable to drink.
  • Vitamin C Boost: Lemons are rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that supports immune health, aids collagen production, and protects against free radical damage.
  • Digestive Aid: The consumption of lemon water can support optimal digestion by triggering the production of digestive enzymes and relieving discomfort associated with indigestion, including bloating and heartburn.
  • Skin Health: The vitamin C in lemon water is essential in maintaining healthy skin, as it contributes to collagen synthesis and helps protect against skin damage caused by environmental factors.

Chew Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum promotes saliva flow, removing garlic odor and leaving your breath feeling and smelling refreshed.

Eat Fresh Produce 

Munching on fresh fruits like apples, carrots, or celery can help cleanse your palate and reduce garlic breath. In addition, these crunchy foods increase saliva production, aiding in eliminating odor-causing compounds.

Drink Milk

Although garlic is an essential source of vitamin B6, magnesium, selenium and vitamin C, it also comprises great amounts of sulfur. Sulfur gives garlic the flavor and odor that it has, as well as results in bad breath. 

The number of chemicals in the mouth that include sulfur[3] and the produce of foul odor can be lowered by drinking a cup of milk[4] with or after a meal containing a lot of garlic. According to studies, full-fat milk reduces odor better than fat-free milk.

Using Essential Oils

Alcohol-based mouthwashes can benefit from the addition of essential oils for greater results. Some offer both breath-refreshing and antimicrobial qualities. Additionally, you can create your own DIY mouthwash using any carrier oil like coconut, sweet almond, olive oil and essential oils.

The following essential oils are effective for removing foul breath:

  • Peppermint
  • Myrrh
  • Rosemary

Properly Clean Your Mouth

how to get rid of garlic breath
Thoroughly clean and brush your teeth to reduce oral bacteria and eliminate foul breath.
Photo: ADragan/Shutterstock

The plaque on teeth and below the gum line is where the bacteria-producing garlic breath typically lingers. After meals[5], thoroughly clean and brush your teeth to reduce oral bacteria and eliminate other sources of foul breath.

Additionally, remember to clean your tongue. It’s common for people to overlook or forget to clean their tongues or mouth roofs. Instead, use a scraper to remove bacteria, cell debris, and food particles from your tongue.

Take Out The Garlic’s Core

Modifying how you incorporate garlic in your food is one approach to reduce the occurrence of garlic breath. Before adding it to the food, cut every garlic clove from the center and remove the stem from the garlic bulb’s center.

Benefits Of Getting Rid Of Garlic Breath

Discover the advantages of eliminating garlic breath and enjoy improved social interactions, boosted confidence, enhanced oral hygiene, freedom to savor diverse foods, and a consistently fresh and pleasant breath.

  • Enhanced social interactions and confidence in social settings.
  • Freedom to enjoy a broader range of foods without worrying about lingering odours.
  • Increased comfort and pleasant interactions for you and others.
  • Boosted self-assurance and confidence in various aspects of life.

Conclusion

Say goodbye to garlic breath by incorporating these simple yet effective methods into your routine. Whether you opt for mouthwash, apple cider vinegar, green tea, lemon water, chewing gum, or fresh produce, these strategies will help you combat garlic breath and enjoy fresh, pleasant breath again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does garlic breath typically last?

Garlic breath can last up to 72 hours, but utilizing the mentioned remedies can help reduce the duration and intensity.

Can brushing teeth alone eliminate garlic breath?

Brushing your teeth can help but may only partially eliminate garlic breath as the odor-causing compounds can linger in the mouth and tongue.

Are there any other health benefits of matcha?

Matcha is rich in antioxidants, promotes relaxation, boosts metabolism, and enhances focus and concentration.

Is apple cider vinegar safe to consume for reducing garlic breath?

When diluted with water, apple cider vinegar is generally safe to consume in moderation for reducing garlic breath.

How often should I chew gum to combat garlic breath?

Chewing sugar-free gum 10-15 minutes after meals can help freshen your breath and reduce garlic odor.

Can I use mouthwash multiple times a day to combat garlic breath?

While using mouthwash after meals can help freshen your breath, excessive alcohol-based mouthwash may dry out your mouth. It is best to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and consult your dentist if you have any concerns.

How soon can I expect to notice results from these remedies?

Results can vary depending on the person and the intensity of garlic breath. However, many experience noticeable improvement shortly after incorporating these remedies into their routines.

+ 5 Sources

EHproject has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We work mostly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure accurate information. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  1. Hasler, W.L. (1999). Garlic breath explained: Why brushing your teeth won’t help. [online] 117(5), pp.1248–1249. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-5085(99)70416-6.
  2. Mirondo, R. and Barringer, S.A. (2016). Deodorization of Garlic Breath by Foods, and the Role of Polyphenol Oxidase and Phenolic Compounds. [online] 81(10), pp.C2425–C2430. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.13439.
  3. Medlineplus.gov. (2020). Breath odor: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003058.htm.
  4. ScienceDaily. (n.d.). Drinking milk can prevent garlic breath, study finds. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130204142609.htm.
  5. Pham, T. and Ngoc Thanh Nguyen (2018). Efficacy of chlorine dioxide mouthwash in reducing oral malodor: A 2-week randomized, double-blind, crossover study. [online] 4(5), pp.206–215. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.131.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Syed has 7 years of experience in providing copywriting and content writing services. He has previously written content in various niches, including health. Syed is passionate about writing and likes to provide content that is informative… See More