Garlic is one of the most popular ingredients in food today, enjoyed by many cultures worldwide. However, its pungent odor can persist on one’s breath, which can be unpleasant and embarrassing. It’s easy to learn how to get rid of garlic breath if you know how to.
This article will talk about some of the most effective ways to get rid of garlic breath using some simple methods.
Garlic Breath: What Causes It?
Garlic is well known for its flavor, aroma, and health benefits, but bad breath due to garlic consumption can become a problem for people who consume it regularly.
The culprit is the presence of sulfur compounds in garlic which, while giving it a distinct flavor and aroma, also contribute to bad breath. Garlic contains allicin, a chemical compound responsible for the distinctive smell of fresh garlic.
When eaten in sufficient quantities, your sweat and breath can both smell strongly of garlic the following day. The body metabolizes the sulfur-containing compounds in garlic, producing allyl methyl sulfide (AMS.) This is a pungent chemical that the body releases into the blood, taking them to the skin and lungs. Because of this, the air you breathe out will also smell of garlic,
compounding the issue.
It’s also worth noting that the bacteria normally present in your mouth also interact with the compounds in garlic that are left in your mouth after a meal. This mixture of garlic residue and bacterial acids can produce a particularly foul smell, especially if you’re not diligent with your oral hygiene.
So, what can you do to eliminate garlic breath?
How To Get Rid Of Garlic Breath
Here are some more ways to help you get rid of garlic breath:
- Drink water. Water can help wash away food debris in your mouth, including remnants of garlic. It also dilutes your sweat, which can make it smell less pungent. Plus, it increases saliva production, which can control bacterial activity in the mouth.
- Drink milk. Studies show that the mixture of fats and water in milk is highly effective at dissolving the odorous garlic compounds that would otherwise linger and smell.
- Eat parsley. Historically, people have noted that consuming parsley reduces the pungent aroma of garlic significantly. While there is little scientific evidence to confirm this, some age-old garlic recipes include parsley to mitigate the odor. There is no harm in trying it out for yourself, though, as it might be effective enough to solve your problem.
- Brush your teeth. As part of a good oral hygiene routine, brushing your teeth eliminates bacteria, cleans out food debris, and removes plaque from your teeth. This immediately takes care of the root causes of bad breath and can significantly help get rid of garlic breath.
- Use an oral rinse or mouthwash. Mouthwashes, particularly those containing chlorine dioxide, can work wonders for improving the smell of your breath. Using mouthwash is also a good oral hygiene practice.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling to get rid of bad breath but don’t want to give up eating your favorite meals prepared with garlic, maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine can help. If the tips above don’t help you, it is best to schedule a consultation with your local dentist. They have the expertise and knowledge necessary to tackle halitosis (the medical name for bad breath.)
Lonestar Dental Center is your complete oral healthcare destination for various dental procedures and comprehensive exams. We provide excellent service from the very beginning of your time with us in Humble, TX. If you’d like to schedule an appointment or have any questions, please give us a call at (281) 233-0333.<//a>