Q: What is the best way to combat bad breath? In particular, how do you get rid of bad breath from garlic odor?

A: While temporary measures such as mints, mouthwash, and flavored chewing gum may hide that scent for a little while, your garlic breath will return after the odor masking effects of those mouth deodorizers wear off. That's because once garlic is digested, its volatile oils are carried into the bloodstream and circulated to the lungs, where its odor is exhaled for up to 72 hours. However, a trick that seems to lessen this effect is to chew on a sprig or two of fresh parsley, or to mix this herb with the garlic after it has been cooked. Needless to say, the best antidote for garlic breath is timeor to avoid eating it in the first place.