FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. (April 18, 2016)— National Garlic Day is April 19, and if you’re celebrating by eating a meal that contains this tasty bulb, you might be interested in simple ways to get rid of the bad breath that will soon follow.
“The best way to get rid of garlic breath is to chew on parsley,” said Larry Saylor, D.M.D., M.A.G.D., an award-winning dentist, based in Brandon, Fla. “Chewing on this herb – especially the stems – will neutralize the odor associated with garlic breath. The polyphenols in parsley act like antioxidants and break down the smelly sulfur compounds in garlic.”
According to Dr. Saylor, rinsing with Listerine for 30 seconds can also help. However, the best mouth rinse for the job is a professional rinse called Closys.
“This seems to work the best out of anything I’ve tried,” said Dr. Saylor. “It eliminates the bacteria associated with bad breath better than other rinses, and it also eliminates volatile sulfur compounds that are found in garlic. As a bonus, Closys is unflavored and doesn’t have the medicinal taste that people usually associate with Listerine.”
Behind the off-putting odor of garlic breath is the chemical compound allyl methyl sulfide. The naturally occurring sulfoxide, which is found in fresh garlic, is converted into allicin when garlic is chopped or crushed – thus creating the familiar aroma associated with garlic. When trying to get rid of garlic breath, you are really just removing the allicin from your mouth.
“These chemicals can be mechanically removed from your mouth with basic oral hygiene practices,” said Dr. Saylor. “Brushing and flossing your teeth, combined with using a tongue scraper, will remove the garlic particles and sulfur compounds that remain in your mouth after a garlicky meal.”
Don’t let the fear of garlic breath keep you from enjoying the flavor in your meals. When you’re out celebrating National Garlic Day, ask for a heavy parsley salad to go!
About Dr. Larry Saylor
Larry Saylor, D.M.D., M.A.G.D, is an award-winning dentist who specializes in cosmetic and comprehensive dentistry. Key services include porcelain and DURAthin veneers, reconstructive dentistry, same day crowns, Invisalign®, tooth whitening, dental bonding, silver filling replacement and sedation dentistry. Dr. Saylor provides clinical services at a master level and is a leader in the dental profession. To learn more visit www.doctorsaylor.com.
