Get Rid of Garlic Breath

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Q: What is the best way to combat bad breath? In particular, how do you get rid of bad breath from garlic odor?

A: While temporary measures such as mints, mouthwash, and flavored chewing gum may hide that scent for a little while, your garlic breath will return after the odor masking effects of those “mouth deodorizers” wear off. That's because once garlic is digested, its volatile oils are carried into the bloodstream and circulated to the lungs, where its odor is exhaled for up to 72 hours. However, a trick that seems to lessen this effect is to chew on a sprig or two of fresh parsley, or to mix this herb with the garlic after it has been cooked. Needless to say, the best antidote for garlic breath is time—or to avoid eating it in the first place.

Bad breath, or halitosis, is an unpleasant odor exhaled or emanating from a person's mouth. While often caused by the bacterial breakdown of food particles trapped between the teeth and gums, there are many other triggers. When it comes to combating bad breath, our first defense is to find its cause. This is best accomplished by a visit with your family dentist and/or primary care physician. In discussing the possibilities, they will most likely mention:

Poor dental hygiene (insufficient brushing and flossing)
Peridontal (gum) disease, caused by bacteria that forms on the teeth (plaque)
Improperly fitting or poorly cleaned dentures
A foreign body in the nose, such as a piece of old tissue (more common in children)
Dry mouth or xerostomia (may be caused by certain medications or medical conditions that decrease the production of saliva, as well as continuous mouth breathing, especially during sleep)
Tobacco products
Drinks such as coffee or alcohol
Foods containing volatile oils (onions, garlic, others) that are absorbed into the bloodstream
Illness (diabetes, kidney disease, post-nasal drip, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, etc.)
High protein or extreme calorie-restricting diets that may trigger the body into a state of ketosis and cause a “fruity breath” odor

Next, your physician will need to examine your nose, mouth and throat, as well as gather specific information, including how long have you had the bad breath; what it smells like (fishy, fruity, sulfur-like, etc.); if it’s accompanied by a fever, mouth ulcers, or medical conditions such as sinusitis, allergies, or kidney disease; whether your mouth is frequently dry; if you have regular dental check-ups; how often you floss and brush your teeth (and for how many minutes each time); and whether the odor improved with regular brushing and flossing. Additionally, your doctor will review your diet and risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol.

Depending upon the results, your doctor may request additional tests (blood, CT scan, others), especially if an infection or disease of the lungs, kidneys or diabetes is suspected. But generally, the following measures often prevent, or greatly decrease, the occurrence of bad breath. They include:

Regular dental check-ups (this is a must; there is no substitute)
Twice-daily brushing for at least two to three minutes at a time, as well as replacing your brush every two to three months and after you’ve had a cold or upper respiratory infection
Daily flossing
Use of a special gentle tongue scraper, or lightly brushing your tongue with a separate brush in order to remove the food and particle debris where odor-causing bacteria can grow
For those with dentures, ensuring they are properly cleaned on a daily basis
Drinking enough water throughout the day
Avoiding the excess use of sugary products (especially between meals) that often stick to your teeth, such as chewy candy, sugary lozenge candy, or even sugar-laden soft drinks such as soda and fruit juices
Chewing sugar-free gum or a gum containing the sugar alcohol known as xylitol, especially after eating (helps increase saliva production, clear food debris, and potentially decrease the growth of cavity-producing bacteria)
Eating foods that increase saliva production (apples, carrots, celery, others)
Drink more unsweetened tea; the polyphenols contained in the leaves may decrease the growth of the bacteria adding to the bad breath
Cranberries, spearmint and cardamom may also decrease the odor of bad breath
Eating low sugar or sugarless yogurt with active cultures once per day (may help to reduce the levels of hydrogen sulphide, a major contributor to bad breath)
Decrease or avoid the use of mouthwashes containing alcohol, which may further add to a drying of the tissues in the mouth

For further information and suggestions, please speak with your dentist and visit the International Dental Health Association at www.dentalhealth.org.uk as well as the American Dental Association at www.ada.org

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Robert Danoff, D.O., M.S., is a family physician and program director of The Family Practice Residency, as well as the combined Family Practice/Emergency Medicine Residency programs at Frankford Hospitals, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, Pa. He is the medical correspondent for CN8, The Comcast Network, a regular contributor to Discovery Health Online and a contributing writer to The New York Times Special Features. (Read his full bio.)