When you think of a love-hate ingredient, what comes to mind? For many, garlic is the first thing that comes to mind! As one of the five pungent vegetables, garlic is a great seasoning and also has antioxidant benefits. However, its strong, pungent odor after chewing makes it a turn-off for many.

Why does eating garlic cause bad breath? And how can you get rid of this annoying garlic odor? Five tips to get you started!

Why does eating garlic leave a stinky mouth?

Sulfur compounds are to blame!

Have you ever wondered why a small bulb of garlic can produce such a strong odor that lingers in your mouth for so long? While many people love garlic as a seasoning, the pungent odor produced after chewing it can be quite repulsive.

What causes this seemingly ordinary garlic to emit such a strong, unpleasant odor? It turns out it’s sulfur compounds! Sulfur compounds are commonly found in plants from the lily and cruciferous families. Garlic, for example, contains a variety of these compounds, such as alliin and isothiocyanates. These sulfur compounds not only possess potent antioxidant properties but also produce a strong odor and a pungent flavor.

In particular, the alliin in garlic, when damaged by cell damage (e.g., chewing or chopping), transforms into allicin. This produces the distinctive, strong odor characteristic of lily plants like onions and garlic.

5 Tips to Get Rid of That Unpleasant Garlic Odor!

Although garlic can leave a strong, unpleasant taste in the mouth, its unique flavor can enhance a variety of dishes. Its excellent antioxidant properties are also beneficial to the human body. Don’t avoid garlic simply because you’re afraid of bad breath. 5 tips to get rid of that annoying garlic odor—eat garlic without worrying about bad breath~

Tip 1: Floss regularly

Oral hygiene is essential for maintaining good breath. For good breath, it’s crucial to prevent food particles and bacteria from getting stuck between your lips and teeth. Floss regularly, ideally after every meal.

Flossing can remove garlic particles stuck between your teeth, making the odor less pronounced.

Tip 2: Drink green tea

Surprisingly, green tea can actually help eliminate bad breath! Green tea contains a polyphenol called catechin, which helps reduce plaque, thereby eliminating bad breath.

If you don’t have time to brush your teeth after a meal, try a cup of green tea to refresh your mouth and stomach.

Tip 3: Chew Gum

When your mouth is filled with garlic odor, you can also try using another flavor to mask it. Mint-flavored gum is particularly effective.

Besides the mint flavor that can mask the garlic smell, chewing naturally increases saliva production, further cleaning your mouth.

Tip 4: Use a Tongue Scraper

Sometimes, it’s not just the flavorful foods you eat that leave odors in your mouth, let alone strong odors like garlic. This could be because your tongue coating is too thick, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Consider buying a tongue scraper.

Start at the back of your tongue and gently scrape forward until no more food residue is left. You can do this after every meal of strong-smelling food. Prompt treatment will make it easier to remove the odor.

Tip 5: Drink Milk

The rich protein in milk, combined with the allicin produced by chewing, effectively removes odor.

So, you can choose to drink a glass of milk before eating garlic to suppress the volatile allicin smell, or drink milk afterward to eliminate the odor.