How to Get Rid of Alcohol Breath Fast
Drinking alcohol in moderation can be enjoyable and can cause no ill effects. After all, who doesn’t love the occasional cold beer or a glass of wine to unwind? However, the problem arises when drinking excessively, leading to wine breath, whiskey breath, beer breath, or simply alcohol breath. While it may make you feel self-conscious, there are some easy ways to get rid of the smell of alcohol on your breath. Here are some effective home remedies that will help you freshen your breath quickly so that you can go on with your day.
1. Brush Your Teeth and Tongue
- Brush your teeth thoroughly 15-20 minutes after consuming alcohol. Use toothpaste that has strong fluoride content as it will help kill the bacteria, freshening your breath.
- Do not forget to brush your tongue, as it can harbour bacteria and leave a foul smell that can mimic alcohol breath.
- You can also freshen your mouth with mouthwash or take minty gums to improve breath odour temporarily.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
Most of us know how important it is to stay hydrated, but it is more crucial when you are trying to conceal the taste of alcohol on your breath. Drinking water will not just dilute the alcohol, it can help reduce dehydration and flush out the toxins in your body.
- Taking plenty of water will stimulate the salivary glands, and saliva aids in neutralising the mouth’s pH levels, which will help to mask the smell of alcohol from your breath.
- Chewing on ice or drinking water that is very cold will tighten your blood vessels in the gums slowing down blood flow and helping to slow down the release of alcohol into your breath.
3. Eat a Healthy Meal
Having a healthy meal prior or after consuming alcohol comes with numerous benefits for your body’s system, including neutralising the pH in the mouth of the mouth.
- Eating food that is high in protein will reduce the amount of alcohol that is absorbed in the body after alcohol consumption, and it will also aid in slowing down its release into breath and sweat.
- Foods such as ginger, coffee, tea or foods that contain mint will mask the alcohol odour temporarily.
- Avoid eating fatty foods like burgers, fries, chips or heavy oil-based dishes, as they may mix badly and enhance the smell of alcohol for a long period of time.
4. Utilise Vinegar
Vinegar has been long used as a cleaning agent in households due to its acidic properties, and it can work when it comes to removing the smell of alcohol on breath.
- Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar with a glass of water.
- Swish the mixture in your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out.
- You can also lick apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning to freshen up your breath.
- If you have sensitive teeth, irrigate your mouth with water after the vinegar solution to avoid damaging the enamel.
5. Use Lemon or Lime
Lemon and lime contain citric acid, which aids in killing bacteria in the mouth and also freshens up your breath. The juice is also packed with Vitamin C that is essential to help buffer the body against negative side effects of excessive alcohol consumption.
- Squeeze fresh lime or lemon juice in your mouth directly and swish it thoroughly for 30-60 seconds, then spit it out.
- Do not exceed the use of lemon or any citrus fruits because overusing can have a detrimental side effect on your teeth’ enamel.
6. Keep Mint Handy
Mint is known for its refreshing aroma and rejuvenating properties that are perfect in getting rid of alcohol breath. It is an effective and inexpensive remedy that can be found easily.
- You can chew on fresh mint leaves or take mint-flavoured gums that will freshen up your breath.
- You may also crush the mint leaves, add them into your water bottle and carry it around.
- Peppermint candy or chewing gum with sugar content will coat the mouth, freshening up the breath and helping to cover alcohol breath.
7. Use Clove
Clove is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substance that is used for various purposes in the medical field. It can work wonders in covering up the smell of alcohol breath.
- You can use clove oil to make a mouthwash. Mix 2-3 drops of clove oil with a glass of warm water and swish in your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out.
- An effortless way to enjoy the benefits of clove is to chew on a clove bud directly.
- Clove can also be used as a spice, which can be added into soups, stews, or porridge to freshen up your breath and cover up your alcohol breath.
8. Try Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are known for their aromatic flavour and carminative properties that enhance digestion. They can help to reduce alcohol breath without harming oral hygiene.
- Toss a tablespoon of fennel seeds in boiling water and let it steep for a few minutes.
- Strain the mixture and drink the water after meals to offer digestion help and freshening up breath.
- You can also chew on a few seeds directly after taking alcohol drinks.
9. Utilise Cardamom
Cardamom, commonly known as elaichi, is a spice known for its aromatic flavour and various health benefits. It can help to combat bad breath effectively, offering an excellent and natural way to reduce alcohol breath.
- Peel and crush one cardamom pod, then mix the crushed seeds with a teaspoon of honey.
- Eat this mixture thrice a day to reduce alcohol breath and any other bad odour.
- You can also chew on cardamom directly or mix it into your tea, coffee or cooking.
10. Have Some Green Tea
Green tea is another excellent beverages that offer an effective way of reducing alcohol breath and alcohol toxicity in the body. It is packed with flavonoids and antioxidants that are necessary in helping your body neutralize the toxins.
- Brew a cup of green tea and drink it immediately.
- Green tea contains polyphenols that are particularly useful in suppressing the growth of oral bacteria that cause bad breath.
- You can also use Green tea as a mouthwash by brewing a bag of green tea in boiling water, waiting for a few minutes, then cool it and use it as a mouthwash.
11. Utilise Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is an excellent home remedy for providing natural solutions to oral problems. It is cheap, widely available, and it helps to reduce alcohol breath by lowering acid levels in the mouth, making it less favourable to bacteria.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a cup of water.
- Swish the mixture in your mouth for 1-2 minutes, then spit it out and rinse your mouth with water.
- Repeat this process three times a day.
12. Eat Apples
Apples contain enzymes that help freshen breath and neutralise odours in the mouth, making them a fantastic alternative to cover up alcohol breath.
- Eat an apple after drinking alcohol or when you have bad breath.
- Apples can effectively change the concentration of odour-promoting chemicals in the mouth that cause bad breath.
13. Utilise Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains essential oils that help to reduce bacteria in the mouth, thus eliminating alcohol breath.
- Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon powder into a cup of water then rinse your mouth with it.
- You can also chew on a cinnamon stick to freshen up your breath and reduce alcohol breath without hurting oral hygiene.
- Include cinnamon to your cooking, like sprinkling the powder on oatmeal, yoghurts, or cinnamon-flavoured hot drinks like Chai tea.
14. Utilise Parsley
Parsley is an incredibly helpful herb that is high in chlorophyll, aiding in neutralising odours, including alcohol breath.
- Chew on a sprig of parsley after drinking alcohol to freshen up your breath.
- You can also make juice from the parsley and drink it to offer relief in case of a hangover.
- Parsley leaves can also be used as an herb to season most of your cooking.
15. Try Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a highly effective natural remedy that absorbs impurities, including alcohol particles. It will also bind with bacteria, removing bad breath.
- Take 1-2 tablets of activated charcoal after consuming excess alcohol or when you have bad breath.
- Make sure to brush the teeth and rinse the mouth with water after taking activated charcoal tablets.
16. Brush with Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide acts as an antiseptic, and it can work wonders in neutralising the odours in the mouth, including alcohol breath.
- Soak your toothbrush in a solution of 2-3% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for 2-3 minutes.
- Brush with the toothbrush to get rid of the alcohol smell in the mouth.
- Rinse your mouth with water immediately after brushing your teeth.
17. Use Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has natural essential oils that kill bacteria, which is the cause of bad breath.
- Add a drop of tea tree oil in a glass of water and use it as a mouthwash.
- You can also add a drop of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil and swish it in your mouth.
- Do not swallow the solution, and make sure to brush your teeth immediately and rinse your mouth with water.
18. Utilise Sage
Sage is an antibacterial herb that can reduce the smell of alcohol from your breath.
- Make a tea from dried sage leaves and drink it.
- You can also clarify your breath by chewing on fresh sage leaves.
- Sprinkle dried sage over meals as a seasoning herb or in salads to freshen up your breath.
19. Utilise Essential Oils
Essential oils are used as natural remedies to mask the smell of alcohol breath effectively.
- Add one or two drops of essential oil like peppermint oil, clove, or eucalyptus to a glass of water and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out.
- You can also apply one or two drops of essential oil onto your tongue, but do not swallow it.
20. Avoid Alcohol Consumption
The easiest way to get rid of alcohol breath is to avoid consuming alcohol.
- If you do drink alcohol, limit the amount you drink and don’t drink on an empty stomach.
- Drink plenty of water before and after drinking alcohol.
- Eat a healthy meal