The question for dental professionals looms perhaps large: should they urge patients to use garlic as a mouthwash? This review study tries to find an answer to that question:
“The Clinical Antimicrobial Efficacy of Garlic Extract (Allium Sativum) Compared to Chlorhexidine Mouthwash: A Systematic Review,” Youmna Ahmed Abdelaal, Heba Talal Saeed, Malak Ahmad Elayyan, Sara Mahmoud Bkairat, and Saif Youssef Dib, Journal of Herbal Medicine, 2025, article 101053.
The authors appraise five old studies by other researchers. With no mention of the words “breath”, “odor”, or “social”, they explain that:
Chlorhexidine is widely used as a gold standard mouthwash but is associated with side effects and concerns over antimicrobial resistance. Garlic (Allium sativum), known for natural antimicrobial properties, has emerged as a potential alternative, though clinical evidence remains limited. This systematic review compares the antimicrobial efficacy of garlic extract with chlorhexidine in clinical practice, assessing its viability as a herbal substitute…
Conclusions — Garlic extract can serve as a viable alternative to chlorhexidine, especially at higher concentrations. However, side effects such as burning sensation and unpleasant taste may affect patient adherence.