ADULT ORTHODONTICS
Brushing and flossing are the foundation of a good oral hygiene routine, but mouthwash can also be a useful addition...
SELECTING DENTAL PRODUCTS
The toothbrush has come a long way. As the American Dental Association (ADA) notes...
Brushing your teeth with toothpaste removes the smelly food particles from your teeth, which will help make your breath smell better. Don't forget to brush your tongue because garlic odors may linger there as well.
If you're on the go, you can still brush your teeth, as long as you plan ahead. Get in the habit of carrying a spare toothbrush and toothpaste with you – or storing them in your desk drawer at work – so that you can easily slip into a bathroom to freshen your breath.
After eating foods that contain garlic, the garlicky scent is known to linger in your breath. Like a minty mouthwash, a strong scent can help cover up this smell until it goes away on its own.
After eating a garlicky meal, swish with a rinse to immediately mask the smell. If you're a garlic lover, you may want to carry a travel-sized bottle in your bag to make sure it's always there when you need it.
If you don't have much time, chew a piece of gum to freshen your breath quickly. The gum will leave a fresh smell behind that will temporarily mask the garlicky odor. Plus, chewing gum helps stimulate your salivary flow. That extra saliva can wash away the garlic food particles that are still in your mouth.
While any gum can help cover up your garlic breath, it's best to choose a sugar-free variety. This is because gums containing sugar can contribute to tooth decay, as explained by the American Dental Association.
Green tea can make a great post-meal respite. Not only does green tea support healthy digestion, but it's also been shown to be effective at reducing odor-causing compounds in your mouth.
Parsley is one of the more popular home remedies for bad breath. Today, parsley is still commonly used to garnish plates at your favorite restaurant to help with those post-meal odors.
While claims of parsley's odor-fighting properties continue to persist, studies have shown parsley to have little effect on getting rid of garlic breath. Instead, parsley's strong scent masks bad breath - giving you a bit of post-meal peace of mind.
Surprisingly, you can also get your garlic breath under control by drinking milk. A study published in the Journal of Food Science reports that milk significantly reduces the concentrations of garlic's odorous compounds.
Knowing the best ways to get rid of garlic breath can give you the confidence to indulge in your next garlic-heavy meal. Just be sure to keep these tips in mind and be prepared next time you feel self-conscious about your garlic breath.
Some people, however, suffer with bad breath from dry mouth problems, which have little to do with poor hygiene. The good news is, you can take steps to identify and treat the problem, as well as prevent it from recurring.
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