Garlic and onions enhance the flavor of meals and can provide health benefits. Unfortunately, both can cause bad breath, known as halitosis, especially when consuming raw onions. So, if eating onions leads to bad breath, how can it be resolved? Fortunately, there are many home solutions that can help prevent or eliminate bad breath. We describe a simple method below.
The characteristic odor is due to sulfur-containing compounds in garlic and onions. The smell can persist in a person's breath for several hours and even overnight, which makes some people avoid eating raw onions. How can one eliminate bad breath after consuming raw onions?
1. Why does eating onions cause bad breath?
If you are familiar with sulfur, you know that in its gaseous form, it can produce quite a distinct odor. Well, many foods contain sulfur compounds, and in fact, these are what give them their unique flavors. This is especially true for garlic and onions, members of the allium family. Not only are they closely related, but they also share the same type of sulfur compounds that cause bad breath. They are similar in composition and contain many of the same sulfur compounds. These sulfur compounds provide the food with its distinctive flavor. They also release specific gases when chopped or crushed, which then mix with bacteria that produce odor, resulting in a particular bad breath.
Garlic and onions can continue to cause bad breath for several hours after consumption. As a part of the digestive process, their byproducts are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the lungs, leading to unpleasant-smelling breath.
However, there is no reason to avoid garlic and onions due to bad breath. Their health benefits are significant and can outweigh their odor-causing effects.
2. How to get rid of bad breath after eating raw onions?
Here are some tips to help you eliminate bad breath after eating onions:
2.1. Drink green tea
Enjoying a cup of hot green tea after a meal can temporarily reduce bad breath until you can brush your teeth.
In a study, 15 participants used a green tea catechin mouthwash and found it to be comparable to antibacterial mouthwash in terms of antiplaque effectiveness. In another in vitro study, green tea and toothpaste were found to be more effective than parsley oil, chewing gum, and mint.
Drink green tea with honey several times a day. Green tea is rich in polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that can neutralize the sulfur compounds found in raw onions.
2.2. Lemon aids in mitigating the odor associated with raw onion consumption
Rinse your mouth with lemon juice two to three times a day. A tablespoon of lemon juice in a glass of water can help neutralize onion breath. The citric acid in lemons has antibacterial properties that can kill the bacteria responsible for bad breath.
Just be careful not to let citric acid linger on your teeth. Its high acidity can contribute to enamel erosion and tooth decay.
2.3. Drink diluted apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which supports the growth of beneficial bacteria. Consuming 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before eating garlic or onions may help eliminate their byproducts more quickly, neutralizing onion breath, and it kills the bacteria responsible for bad breath in the mouth. It also aids digestion.
You can drink a very diluted solution after your meal or use it as a mouthwash by swishing it around in your mouth for 10 to 15 seconds after eating.
2.4. Eat fresh products like apples, spinach, or mint
If you’ve had a meal rich in garlic, consider having an apple for dessert or chewing on fresh mint leaves. A study indicates that the chemical composition of apples, lettuce, or fresh or cooked mint helps neutralize breath odor after eating onions.
Apples are among the most multifunctional fruits on the planet. They are delicious and offer countless uses and benefits. One of these benefits is the quick treatment of halitosis caused by onions.
Eating apples is one of the most effective methods for eliminating onion breath, as the natural enzymes in apples break down the sulfur compounds found in onions.
2.5. Brush and use dental floss after eating
Most of the bacteria that cause bad breath reside beneath the gum line and in the plaque that accumulates on the teeth. Brushing and using dental floss after consuming onions or garlic can help eliminate odor-causing bacteria, along with food debris. Using an electric toothbrush can assist in cleaning beneath the gum line and reducing plaque. This helps keep your breath fresher for a longer period. It is also beneficial to gently brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue, especially towards the back.
2.6. Use mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide
There is some scientific evidence that mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide is effective against bad breath. Chlorine dioxide can help eliminate plaque, bacteria on the tongue, and food particles. This is the same ingredient used to purify and improve the taste of outdoor water when camping.
You can also rinse with baking soda: Rinse with a baking soda solution. This method neutralizes onion odor, maintains the pH of saliva, and controls the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
2.7. Drink a little milk
This is a little-known tip that can help you quickly eliminate onion breath. Certain compounds in milk - especially raw milk - can break down the bacteria and compounds that cause bad odors. When you drink milk, the sulfur in the onions is neutralized by the fat content in the milk. Milk also acts as a natural mouthwash. If you have some raw milk at home, pour yourself a glass after a particularly pungent meal, and you won’t have to feel embarrassed about your bad breath!
2.8. Use essential oils
Essential oils are often added to alcohol-based mouthwashes. In addition to freshening breath, some have antibacterial properties. You can also make your own homemade mouthwash with essential oils and a carrier oil (such as coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil). Essential oils with proven benefits for eliminating bad breath include:
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Myrrh
- Eucalyptol
Swish 1 teaspoon of carrier oil with a drop of peppermint oil to help remove food particles, bacteria, and odors. Purchase food-grade peppermint oil at your local grocery store or online. Be sure to watch out for added sugars.
2.9. Try using a tongue cleaner
Bacteria also thrive and multiply on the back of the tongue, an area that your toothbrush cannot reach. A white tongue can indicate dead cells, tiny food particles, and bacteria. Tongue cleaning tools, such as tongue brushes and tongue scrapers, can help you access the back of the tongue. They are also effective in removing odor-causing residue.
To use a tongue scraper, start from the back of the tongue and gently scrape forward. This action will bring the white residue to the front of your mouth. Continue rinsing and repeat this process until no residue is visible on the scraper.
2.10. Chew peppermint gum
If you’re looking for a fresh peppermint breath, you need peppermint. Peppermint contains chlorophyll, which helps freshen breath while masking the smell of onion. It also has mild antibacterial properties that help avoid bad breath caused by bacteria.
You can find peppermint-flavored gum and mints everywhere you go. Just make sure to buy sugar-free varieties, as the sugar in gum can harm your teeth. Chewing peppermint gum can temporarily neutralize garlic breath. It may also reduce acid reflux, which can lessen the lingering effects of garlic after digestion.
You can also use some natural peppermint. Drinking peppermint tea or chewing mint leaves can help avoid bad breath after eating garlic.
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References: stardentalriverside.com, healthline.com, carefreedental.com
