Would You Try Garlic Breath Freshener?

As weird as it may sound (and it does sound weird), you could knock out bad breath bacteria using something we’d never equate with good breath.

Garlic.

Now, Dr. Wiggy has long highlighted that everyday plants often contain potent compounds that modern medicine is only beginning to appreciate.

And a study published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine suggests that garlic extract may work as effectively as chlorhexidine, the antiseptic mouthwash many dentists rely on as the gold standard for reducing harmful oral bacteria.

And yes, this is the same garlic most of us keep in our kitchens and that we use to keep vampires away. 🧛

Is Garlic A Better Option?

The truth of the matter is, people really, really want to have better breath.

It’s why commercials are overloaded with toothpaste and mouthwash ads.

The problem is that even though Chlorhexidine is extremely effective, people dislike the side effects, which can include tooth staining, altered taste, mouth irritation, and growing concerns about antimicrobial resistance.

Because of this, researchers at the University of Sharjah wanted to see whether a botanical extract…garlic of all things...could offer a gentler alternative without sacrificing effectiveness.

They conducted a systematic review following rigorous PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the PICO clinical framework. Of the 389 screened studies, only five human clinical trials met their strict criteria.

Even with such limited high-quality data, the results were promising.

Across the included studies, garlic extract demonstrated measurable antimicrobial activity, sometimes performing on par with chlorhexidine.

Key findings include the observation that higher concentrations of garlic extract produced results similar to those of chlorhexidine in reducing bacterial counts. At the same time, some studies favored chlorhexidine for maintaining plaque- and saliva-related pH levels.

Several trials also showed that garlic remained active for a longer period after application, although it tended to cause more burning or discomfort during use. Additionally, garlic’s effectiveness varied with concentration and application duration, an area researchers believe requires more standardized testing.

Overall, the evidence suggests that garlic extract may have a role as a natural antimicrobial mouthwash, especially for patients seeking options beyond chemical-based products.

Side Effects: Different, But Generally Less Concerning

Garlic mouthwash isn’t without drawbacks. Reported side effects included:

• Burning sensation
  

• Unpleasant odor
  

• Temporary discomfort
  

However, unlike chlorhexidine, garlic did not cause tooth staining or long-term taste disturbances, two of the most common reasons patients stop using prescription mouthwashes.

Garlic’s Broader Antimicrobial Reputation

Outside of dentistry, garlic extract has been studied for its antimicrobial effects against:

• Bacteria
  

• Fungi
  

• Certain viruses
  

It has even been explored in areas like denture stomatitis, root canal disinfection, and dentinal tubule cleaning. While most of these studies are lab-based, they paint a consistent picture: garlic contains potent natural compounds, especially allicin, that can disrupt harmful microbes.

Not surprisingly, garlic has become a major global commodity.

In 2024 alone, consumption reached 30 million metric tons, with China supplying nearly 80% of the world’s garlic.

What This Means for Patients Now

The authors are careful to point out that garlic extract isn’t ready to replace chlorhexidine as the go-to antimicrobial mouthwash. And the public surely won’t be clamoring for it…

More research, especially studies with larger sample sizes and more extended follow-up periods, is needed.

However, this review does make one thing clear:

Garlic extract shows real potential as a natural alternative in some instances, particularly for patients who want to avoid chemical-based products or cannot tolerate chlorhexidine’s side effects.