Have you ever experienced a pungent taste in your mouth after having some uncooked onion? I am sure the answer to that question would be yes! Each one of us, at some point in time, experiences onion breath in our lives. We all like to eat onion in salads. We add them to our cooked and uncooked vegetables. But we are scared of its bad breaths.
But, there is a good news for you all. And the good news is that this article suggests various home remedies for you to get rid of the onion breath. So go through this informative article as it will help you in dealing with this daily life problem.
Table of Contents
Causes Of Onion Breath
The clearest and obvious cause of onion breath is the intake of uncooked onion. Thus, among many foods which cause bad breath, onion is considered the worst culinary offenders.
Further, in India, it has, in fact, become a custom to have some uncooked onion as a side dish along with the main dish. Thus, we Indians remain the victims of bad onion breath.
This happens because vegetables like onion and garlic belong to the same family of flowering plants called Allium.
Both onion and garlic contain a sulphuric compound called the allyl methyl sulfide. This chemical gives the garlic and onion a pungent taste and smell. Further, its by-products are absorbed into the bloodstream which is then eventually carried to the lungs. This gives you a bad and pungent breath.
Also, because these smelly chemicals are eventually being excreted from the body when you exhale they come out as a pungent breath. Yet, this leads to the bad onion breath or the garlic breathe. Further, consuming a lot of garlic or onion leads to the production of microbes inside the mouth leading to bad breath.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Onion Breath
Yet you do not have to worry about this anymore. Following mentioned are a variety of home remedies, which will help you, get rid of this foul onion breath. They are:
1. Brushing And Flossing
Brushing and flossing are considered as the most obvious way to get rid of onion breath. This helps because most of the bacteria causing bad breath breed over the plaque build-up under the gums.
You may also use a chlorine dioxide mouthwash which may help you get rid of the pungent breath.
Yet, it is also mandated that this may not work every time. It has proven to fail when tested on many people. Yet, you can still go ahead and try your luck.
2. Essential Oils
Using essential oils has also been a very famous type of home remedy for getting rid of onion breath. Essential oils add fragrance to the mouth.
That is why they are also added to so many toothpastes and mouth refreshers. They also contain antibacterial properties which help to fight bacteria under the tongue.
Remedy
a) Make your own mouthwash by adding some drops of essential oils such as coconut, lavender, or olive oil.
b) Swish a teaspoon of any oil mixed with a drop of peppermint or rosemary oil to get rid of the bad odor.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is also used as an ordinary way to get rid of onion breath. This is because it contains pectin that helps to improve the growth of good bacteria.
Remedy
a) Stir 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 70 ml water. Drink the solution before having onions as this will help flush its byproducts through the system more efficient.
b) Drink a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar after every meal.
c) Have a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and keep it in your mouth for 10- 15 seconds after eating.
d) Make a mouthwash with about one-fourth cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of lemon. Use it frequently to get rid of the bad breath.
4. Milk
It does sound weird but you should also drink milk while eating food products which may cause bad breath.
The fat found in milk helps to neutralize sulphur component of the onions and the milk acts as a mouth rinse. But, drinking milk after having a spicy meal is not good for health and breath.
5. Vodka
Vodka is a unique way to get rid of onion breath. This is because it helps to remove bacteria coating in your mouth, which indirectly helps you to get rid of bad onion breath.
Thus, it is advised to have a sip of vodka (preferably without mixing it in any other liquid), after consuming onion or garlic.
6. Green Tea
Green tea is a very good way to remove the pungent smell of onion from your mouth. This is because there are powerful antioxidants called polyphenols present in green tea. They help in removing sulphurous compounds from the breath later on.
Remedy
a) Take green tea leaves and add to a cup of boiling water
b) Cover it for 5 minutes
c) Strain the tea and enjoy with honey
d) You may have this several times a day to get rid of onion breath.
7. Lemon
Lemon contains antibacterial properties, so it helps to remove the bacteria in the mouth.
Remedy
a) Add lemon in a glass of water and mix it together. Then, try to rinse your mouth with this 3-4 times a day.
b) You can also make lemonade without sugar and have it.
8. Parsley
Parsley has been used to get rid of onion breath for various years now. It helps to do the same because it contains chlorophyll.
Remedy
a) You can either chew fresh parsley leaves with some salt sprinkled on them.
b) Or you can also add crushed leaves in boiling water with 3 cloves and let it boil for 5 minutes. Then, strain the mixture and drink it once it cools down.
9. Fresh Fruits And Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great and an easy way to get rid of onion breath. They are a rich source of fiber which boosts the production of saliva. Thus it indirectly helps in washing away the bad taste of raw onion left in the mouth.
Some of the fruits and vegetables which will help you do the same are pineapples, kiwi, berries, strawberry, broccoli, bell peppers and celery. They also help to kill mouth bacteria which are a very eminent factor.
10. Water
Water is the most obvious way to get rid of bad breath. This is because it helps to produce excessive saliva in the mouth which will help to wash away the smelly chemicals and bacteria from the mouth.
11. Baking Soda
You can also use baking soda for this purpose. It contains properties, able to neutralize the taste and smell of onion. Also it prevents more bacterial growth.
Remedy
- take a spoon of baking soda along with some salt and mix it in warm water
- Rinse your mouth with this solution 1-2 times a day for best results.
12. Mustard Sauce
Mustard Sauce also helps to get rid of onion breath instantly. It has been occasionally used to suppress the aroma of onions.
Remedy
- Take a teaspoon of sauce and swish it inside your mouth
- After keeping it in for 15 seconds spit it out
- Do this 4-5 times and then rinse your mouth with water.
13. Cardamom
Cardamom or cardamom tea may help you to get rid of the onion smell from your breath. You can either chew it right after eating uncooked onions or make a tea out of it and have it for better taste.
14. Yogurt
Yogurt is also a very good option for this purpose. It is helpful in digestion and helps to kill the unnecessary bacteria in the mouth.
Thus, consume a cup of yogurt after a meal to overcome the problem of onion breath. Try to stick to natural yogurt and avoid all other packaged or flavored yogurts in the market.
15. Sugar
It is surprising that sugar can also help you in dealing with bad breath. This is because sugar helps to absorb bad breath in the mouth naturally.
Try to have a teaspoon of sugar and let it linger in your mouth for a few minutes. This may make your mouth too sweet but then it is better from having an onion breath.
These were some of the occasionally used home remedies to remove the taste and smell of onion breath which keeps on lingering in the mouth.
FAQ’s
Following mentioned are some occasionally asked questions which may help to solve all your doubts. They are:
1. How To Prevent Onion Breath?
There is no such way to prevent onion breath as onion does have a smelly compound leading to the distasteful smell in the mouth. All you can do is to have a restricted amount of raw or uncooked onion.
Or you can have a solution of apple cider vinegar before eating onions. This may help in reducing the pungent smell of onion in the mouth yet, it is not guaranteed.
2. How Long Does Onion Breath Last?
This practically depends on person to person. Some people may not have an onion breath even after few hours of consumption. Yet, some people may have it for 2-3 days. Thus, this completely depends on the person’s body type and digestion process.
It is hoped that this article has provided you with ample knowledge to help you get rid of that disgusting, pungent onion breath. It is also advised that if the onion breath stays for 2-3 days then you should visit a doctor as he may advise you in a better manner.
