How to Get Rid of Garlic and Onion Breath

Garlic and onions are widely used to condiment a variety of dishes, giving them a distinctive aroma and delicious flavor. However, both ingredients cause very scented breath after eating them, which can make people feel uncomfortable, especially when interacting with others.

5-Minute Crafts will show you 6 ways to easily solve this problem and stop worrying about it when having your favorite meals.

1. Eat apples, lettuce, or mint leaves.

A study states that eating raw or heated apples, lettuce, and raw mint leaves can deodorize garlic breath. At the same time, apple juice and mint juice might also help, but they may not be as effective as the options mentioned before.

So next time you want to have a meal with garlic, try eating an apple for dessert or chewing on some fresh mint leaves.

2. Drink a glass of milk or a cup of green tea.

Experts in dental care suggest that drinking a glass of milk or a cup of green tea can be effective in reducing the smell of garlic and onion in the mouth.

Moreover, evidence shows that whole milk may be more effective in deodorizing garlic odor than fat-free milk. At the same time, research states that green tea can decrease bad smells due to its antimicrobial and deodorizing properties.

3. Try lemon juice.

Dental care professionals also recommend eating lemons to get rid of garlic and onion breath. Just suck on a lemon wedge after your garlic or onion-heavy meal.

Moreover, other experts in the field suggest that rinsing your mouth with lemon water can help reduce the smell after eating onions. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of water and use it 2 or 3 times a day.

❗Rinse your mouth out with water after trying these methods to prevent the citric acid from staying on your teeth.

4. Use mouthwash with chlorine dioxide or baking soda.

According to research, chlorine dioxide may help remove oral bacteria and treat bad breath. Therefore, using mouthwash with this compound can be a good alternative to reduce garlic and onion odor, especially if this dental care product has strong scents, like peppermint. Just remember that when using mouthwash with this ingredient, you must be careful not to swallow it. If ingested, chlorine dioxide can lead to adverse symptoms and serious health effects.

Sodium bicarbonate is another way to get rid of onion breath. Studies have shown that this compound, commonly known as baking soda, can be effective against dental bacteria. Therefore, experts recommend rinsing your mouth with a baking soda mouthwash.

You can make your own mouthwash by diluting 2 teaspoons of baking soda in a cup of warm water. Then swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds and spit it out.

5. Drink water and chew gum.

Drinking a glass of water after your meal can help remove onion and garlic residue from your teeth and tongue, as well as make you produce more saliva, which aids in eliminating bacteria linked to bad odor.

Besides having the same effect, sugar-free gum can also be an easy alternative to mask and freshen your breath, especially those with mint flavor.

6. Brush your teeth properly.

Although it may seem obvious, brushing and flossing your teeth and cleaning your tongue can really make a difference when trying to get rid of onion and garlic smells. This can help you remove bacteria and food residue that can cause bad breath.

Therefore, while brushing your teeth after that smelly meal, make sure to clean your gum line, the roof of your mouth, and your tongue. You can get a tongue scraper for better results.