We all know that red onions and garlic are fantastic for our health. But those same compounds that heal can also cause trouble: chopping onions can make your eyes water, and eating them often leaves you with hours of unpleasant breath.
You can quickly get rid of onion smells on your cutting board and knife with vinegar or lemon water. And emptying your trash bin helps banish any lingering odors there. But what about freshening your breath fast?
1/3. Eat and Drink Smart
Warm Food
A warm meal can help wipe out onion breath quickly.
Chocolate or Sweets
Bad breath sticks around longer if you skip carbs afterward. A few pieces of chocolate or a slice of cake can do the trick.
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum boosts saliva, which naturally freshens your breath.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids! Water, lemonade, and green tea are all great breath fresheners.
A Sip of Vodka
This can also help ease onion breath. Take a sip or rinse your mouth with it! Alcohol kills bacteria in your mouth, and vodka is especially good at wiping out unpleasant aftertastes.
Mustard
Put a teaspoon of mustard in your mouth. Swish it around for a minute, then spit it out and rinse with water. Next, take half a teaspoon and swallow it instead of spitting.
Parsley and Mint
Chew fresh parsley or mint leaves. Drinking a cup of mint tea works well, too.
2/3. Brush Your Teeth the Right Way
Brushing
Brush your teeth thoroughly for at least 2 minutes!
Mouthwash
Swish mouthwash in your mouth for at least 30 seconds, moving it around before spitting it out.
Floss or Interdental Brushes
Don’t forget to clean between your teeth! Choose floss or interdental brushes depending on your gums’ condition.
3/3. Use a Water Flosser
A thorough water flosser cleans your gums and the spaces between teeth. Rinsing with a water flosser at the end of your oral care routine removes any onion residue that could cause odor. Sometimes, onion scent lingers in your skin pores and on your clothes. In those cases, perfume or aftershave can help neutralize the smell.
Wash onion-scented clothes as soon as possible—don’t wear them smelling like onion the next day. Even if it’s a bit inconvenient, always choose fresh onion over powdered. Powdered onion pulls water from your body since it’s dehydrated, and cooking only partially replaces that lost moisture.
