Garlic Works Just as Well as Regular Mouthwash, Scientists Say. Would You Use It?

It sounds counterintuitive on the surface, but when you break down the science of it, it makes some sense. Garlic, the ingredient that makes your meals delicious but ruins your breath, could be turned into a mouthwash that does a better job at cleaning out your mouth than traditional mouthwash.

A new review from the University of Sharjah’s College of Dental Medicine dug through more than 400 studies. They wanted to see whether garlic extract could hold its own against chlorhexidine, the prescription-strength antiseptic used by dentists.

They ultimately narrowed the pile to five clinical studies. While the final verdict isn’t a slam dunk in garlic’s favor, the researchers are cautiously optimistic about garlic extract as a killer of mouth germs.

At higher concentrations, garlic extract p