In cooking, we use onions in almost every type of vegetable cooking, and we like them in pickles and salads, too. Onions make our food taste delicious and spicy. They're also healthy because they have fiber, folic acid, and vitamins B and C.
But if you like onions, there's a problem too – they can make your breath smell bad. Even though onions taste great, especially when fresh, they can leave a bad taste in your mouth and make your breath smell bad. So, if you are wondering how to get rid of onion breath, several quick and natural ways can help freshen your breath and make you feel confident. Let's explore them in this blog!
How to Get Rid of Onion Breath: 12 Effective Remedies
Nobody likes onion breath because it can be quite unpleasant. Having fresh breath can help you make a good impression and feel more confident.
Consider these easy and simple ways to eliminate onion breath:
1. Drink Green Tea
The strong antioxidants, like polyphenols in green tea, can help neutralize the sulfurous chemicals found in raw onions that cause a bad odor.
How to use: Just sip one hot cup of green tea after eating your food.
2. Rinse with Lemon water
The antibacterial properties of citric acid in lemons can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath.
Also, it neutralises the sulfur compounds found in onions, which also contribute to a bad odor.
What to do: Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice in one cup of water and rinse your mouth with it 2-3 times a day.
Note: Be careful not to let the citric acid coat your teeth too much. Its high acidity can potentially harm your teeth and lead to tooth sensitivity.
3. Take a Cardamom Chew
The antimicrobial effect of cineole found in cardamom can destroy mouth bacteria that cause bad breath.
Also, the strong and aromatic smell of cardamon helps mask the onion's odor.
How to use: Chew the cardamom pod after eating your food for a few minutes.
4. Use Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
The antibacterial effects of acetic acid in ACV can aid in killing mouth bacteria and reducing sulfur compounds found in onions that cause bad breath.
In addition, its acidity can balance the alkaline environment (created by an onion) in the mouth, which can also be a contributing factor.
How to use: Mix one tablespoon of ACV in water and swish it around your mouth for 10-15 seconds and then spit it out. Avoid swallowing it, as it can irritate.
5. Eat an apple Daily
The natural enzymes in apples help break down onions' sulfur compounds, which are the primary cause of bad odor.
Chewing an apple can trigger the release of saliva, which can help get rid of bacteria, thus reducing smell.
Eat an apple just after consuming onions.
6. Use Baking Soda Rinse
Baking soda can help neutralize the bacteria and acids that are responsible for bad onion breath.
Additionally, being alkaline in nature, baking soda can help maintain pH levels in the mouth, creating a less favorable environment for bacteria that cause odors.
How to use: Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in one cup of warm water, swish the solution around the mouth for 30 seconds, and then spit it out.
7. Drink Some Milk
Milk contains fat that can bind to the sulfur compounds released from onions and neutralize them, decreasing the severity of onion breath.
Research shows that whole milk is much more effective in alleviating foul-smelling breath compared to fat-free milk.
How to use: Sip milk during or after a meal. For better results, have milk along with every bite of food containing onion.
8. Eat Herbal Leaves
Mint and peppermint both contain chlorophyll, which is found to be effective in reducing onion odor significantly and freshening up the breath.
Also, they have mild antiseptic properties that can help alleviate the mouth bacteria that contribute to bad odor.
How to use: Drink peppermint tea, chew fresh mint leaves, or use a peppermint mouthwash.
9. Brush Your Teeth
Brushing the teeth after consuming onion-containing foods can help wash away smell-causing bacteria and food particles.
It can also get rid of plaque, which can contribute to bad breath, leaving the mouth clean and fresh.
Use an electric toothbrush for deep cleaning and floss one time a day.
10. Rinse with Mouthwash
A study reports that chlorine dioxide-containing mouthwash is effective in reducing bad breath.
Chloride dioxide neutralizes the sulfur compounds that are released by the onions, which, in turn, alleviates the bad odor.
How to do: Swish the mouthwash around the mouth for about 30 seconds and then spit it off. Do not swallow it.
11. Use Essential Oils
Essential oils such as peppermint or rosemary contain compounds that can neutralize the sulfur compounds released by onions, the main cause of onion breath.
In addition, these oils have antibacterial properties that aid in killing odor-causing bacteria.
How to use: Mix one drop of essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil and swish it around the mouth for 1 to 2 minutes, and then spit it out. Also, you can use it as a mouthwash.
12. Chew Gum
Chewing sugarless gum that contains a minty flavor, such as spearmint and peppermint, can help mask unpleasant odor quickly.
Also, it stimulates the production of saliva, which helps get rid of bacteria and food particles that cause odor.
The American Dental Association states that chewing sugarless gum for about 20 minutes after consuming a meal might also prevent the risk of tooth decay.
Important Tips:
Cooking onions can reduce the release of sulfur compounds, leading to milder bad breath.
Practicing good oral hygiene every day can prevent bad breath from the mouth.
Also Read: Home Remedies For Bad Breath.
Why Do Onions Cause Bad Breath?
The following compounds in onions are responsible for causing bad breath:
Allicin: On getting exposed to air, the substance called alliin converts into allicin, which then changes to many sulfur-containing compounds like allyl methyl sulfide that give onions their smell.
Allyl Methyl Sulfides: These compounds, when released after eating onions, are absorbed into the bloodstream and exhaled through the lungs via breath.
Cysteine Sulfoxides: These sulfuric compounds also cause an unpleasant smell in the breath immediately after you consume onions.
What Other Foods Contribute to Bad Breath?
Along with onions, a few other foods can also cause bad breath. So, be aware of these foods in your diet before you attend an important event:
Garlic
Spicy foods
Dairy products, like cheese
Meat
High-sugar foods
Acidic foods
Canned fish, like tuna
Horseradish
Coffee
Alcoholic beverages
All these foods release sulfur compounds that are the main culprit of a foul odor. On the other hand, alcoholic and caffeinated beverages reduce saliva production, which leads to dry mouth and increased bacterial growth, resulting in worsening of bad breath.
Potential Causes of Persistent Bad Breath
The following are some possible causes of bad breath:
Problems with the nose, throat, ears, and mouth
Gum disease
Periodontitis
Infections like sinus and respiratory infections
Dry mouth
Tonsillitis (inflammation in the tonsils)
Smoking
Excessive alcohol intake
Medical conditions, like diabetes, kidney disease, and liver problems
Can Your Bad Breath Be a Sign of Dental Problems?
Yes, bad breath can be caused by underlying dental issues such as:
Poor Oral Hygiene: No regular brushing and flossing allows the food particles and bacteria to build up and cause bad breath.
Gum Disease: Accumulation of bacteria can lead to infection and inflammation in the gums, causing gum disease like periodontitis and gingivitis. This contributes to bad breath in the mouth.
Cavities: Tooth decay provides a breeding space for bacteria to multiply, which results in the release of foul-smelling byproducts.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Trapping bacteria and food particles, these teeth make it challenging to clean the debris and bacteria, resulting in bad breath.
Dry Mouth: Low production of saliva in the mouth can contribute to high bacterial growth, which causes bad breath.
Dentures: They allow the accumulation of bacteria, which can cause a smell if not removed or cleaned properly.
When to See a Doctor?
If you still have bad breath after trying all the natural remedies, consult your dentist. In such cases, the underlying health problems can be the reasons that need medical care.
Treatment Options for Bad Breath Odor
The treatment depends on the cause of the breath odor:
Dental Cleaning: If plaque accumulation is the cause, the dentist helps with the cleaning of the teeth. In case of periodontal disease, deep dental cleaning may be the solution.
Address underlying medical conditions: If conditions like kidney disease, gastrointestinal issues, or sinus infections are the causes, treating them can improve breath odor. For dry mouth, the doctor can provide artificial saliva products and suggest drinking a lot of water daily.
Final Thoughts
Getting rid of onion breath isn’t a huge concern, as there are many simple and natural ways to tackle it. Some effective remedies include brushing your teeth, drinking green tea, rinsing with lemon water, chewing gum, or using natural breath fresheners like cardamom and herb leaves. However, when it comes to how to get rid of onion breath, what works for one person may not work for another, so it’s a good idea to try a few options to see what suits you best. If home remedies don’t help, consider consulting a dentist for professional advice.
أسئلة متكررة
How long does onion breath last?
It lasts from minutes to 24 hours.
Why I feel taste of onion in mouth without eating onions?
This could be because of consuming cheesy foods, mustard oil, and kombucha drinks.
How do you get rid of onion breath asap?
To quickly neutralize onion breath, chew on fresh parsley, mint leaves, or drink green tea, and follow up with good oral hygiene like brushing your teeth and using mouthwash.
Why do I have onion breath even after brushing my teeth?
Onion contains sulfur compounds that absorb into your bloodstream and are released through your lungs, causing persistent breath odor that brushing can't immediately eliminate.
What neutralizes onion smell?
Lemon juice, vinegar, fresh herbs like parsley, and coffee grounds can effectively neutralize onion smell on hands, breath, and cooking surfaces.
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