How to Get Rid of Cigar Taste in Your Mouth Quickly - 12 Tips

Tips to Get Rid of Cigar Taste in Your Mouth

Enjoying a nice cigar can be a pleasing sensory experience for cigar aficionados. However, once you put out your stogie, the lingering aftertaste and aroma in your mouth can be less than pleasant. If you want to get rid of cigar mouth quickly, there are several effective methods and best practices you can follow.

Cigar smoke permeates the mucous membranes in the mouth, coating the tongue, gums, teeth, and throat. Residual compounds like nicotine and tar can leave an acrid, bitter taste that lingers for hours. Fortunately, you can neutralize and freshen your mouth through simple home remedies, oral care, and preventive steps.

Drink Water

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of cigar mouth is to simply drink water. Swishing and gargling water rinses away cigar residue and helps rehydrate and refresh your mouth.

Be sure to thoroughly swish the water around all surfaces of your mouth to dislodge clinging particles. Drinking plenty of water after smoking will also help dilute unwanted compounds.

You can further enhance the cleansing effect by using a mouthwash and water mixture. The mint and other flavorings help mask cigar breath.

Use Dairy Products

Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese can help neutralize cigar mouth quickly. Casein, the main protein in dairy, effectively binds to and rinses away cigarette residues.

Drink a glass of milk after smoking to wash away stubborn cigar compounds. Eat some yogurt for a sweet treat that also scrubs your tongue and teeth. Cheese contains fatty acids that coat the mouth and mask stubborn odors.

Chew Gum or Suck Candy

Chewing gum or sucking on hard candies stimulates saliva flow in the mouth, which helps wash away cigar taste more rapidly. The mint flavors provide extra breath freshening.

Look for gum or candy with xylitol, which has been shown to help neutralize cigar breath and residues more effectively than sorbitol candies.

This is a quick fix you can use discreetly almost anywhere when you need to get rid of cigar mouth quickly after smoking.

Use Lemon, Lime, or Orange

Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges can help mask and eliminate cigar breath thanks to their acidic juices and pleasant aromas.

Biting into a lemon wedge floods your mouth with saliva production and the strong citric acid breaks down cigar compounds quickly. You can also suck on lemon candy.

Drinking citrus juices or eating the fruits can clear your palette while leaving a fresh, clean taste and scent. The vitamin C is also beneficial.

Chew Fennel, Parsley, or Mint

Certain fresh herbs and spices act as natural breath fresheners that can counteract cigar mouth quickly and effectively.

Chew on a fennel seed, parsley leaf, or mint leaf after smoking. The chlorophyll removes toxins while their pleasant aromas mask odors.

You can keep these handy after-dinner mints to pop in your mouth discreetly after a cigar for quick freshness.

Preventive Measures Before and While Smoking

Taking some preventive measures before, during, and right after smoking a cigar can help minimize the lingering cigar breath and aftertaste:

Brush Teeth Before Smoking

Give your teeth a thorough brushing before lighting up your stogie. This dislodges food particles and bacteria that could interact with cigar smoke compounds and worsen stench later.

Be sure to carefully brush your tongue, roof of mouth, gums, and inside of cheeks where cigar residue loves to hide.

Avoid Dairy and Acidic Foods Beforehand

Refrain from eating dairy products, acidic foods, sugary foods, or coffee before smoking a cigar. These can all interact with cigar smoke in unpleasant ways that worsen stale residue and aftertaste.

Stick to water, sugar-free gum, or fresh veggies and dip beforehand when possible.

Rinse Mouth Mid-Smoke

Take mini mouth rinses during the smoking process instead of just at the end. Discretely sip water, swish, and spit periodically throughout to prevent buildup.

You can also briefly suck on a lemon wedge or chew fennel seed for quick mini-rinses that cut the accumulating cigar film.

Oral Care After Smoking

Proper oral care after smoking is crucial for getting rid of that dreaded cigar mouth quickly and effectively. Follow these tips for fresh breath and a clean mouth:

Brush and Floss Teeth

Make brushing and flossing your teeth a priority after cigar smoking. This will dislodge particles sticking to teeth and gums and prevent stains.

Use a soft bristle toothbrush and ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste. Take your time brushing every surface thoroughly.

Floss carefully between teeth, as this is where cigar residue loves to cling and hide.

Use Mouthwash

Swishing vigorously with an antiseptic mouthwash eliminates bacteria that interact with cigar byproducts and cause worse breath. Look for mouthwashes with cetylpyridinium chloride.

Choose menthol or mint flavored rinses to leave your mouth feeling cleansed and refreshed.

Brush Tongue

Don't neglect brushing your tongue, as this is where cigar compounds linger heavily. Use a soft tongue scraper or brush back-to-front to lift residues off tastebuds.

You can also try a tongue cleanser solution made with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water for extra cleansing power.

Drink Plenty of Water

Stay well hydrated after smoking by sipping water frequently over the next few hours. This will dilute cigar compounds and residues still circulating through saliva.

It also prevents dry mouth, which worsens odor. Shoot for at least 64 ounces spread over the next several hours.

When to Avoid Cigars

As enjoyable as an occasional cigar may be, it's best to avoid smoking in certain situations where getting rid of the resulting cigar mouth could be challenging or poorly-timed:

• Right before an important meeting or interview
• Prior to an exam or concentration-heavy task
• Before going on a date or out with friends
• Right before bed, as odors can cling overnight

It's also smart to refrain from smoking if you have gum disease, oral surgery, or ulcers, as tissue damage makes you more prone to irritation and infection from cigar compounds.

Know When to Seek Help

Using home remedies and good oral hygiene should resolve cigar mouth within a few hours for most occasional smokers. But seek medical advice if you experience:

• Persistent bad taste or breath longer than 24 hours
• Yellow or brown stains on teeth that don't fade after several cleanings
• Red, inflamed, or irritated gums after smoking
• Pain, swelling, or sores in mouth after cigar use
• Numbness or tingling in lips, tongue, or throat

These could indicate an allergy or more serious reaction that requires evaluation. See your dentist or doctor right away if concerning symptoms develop after cigar smoking.

The Takeaway

Left unchecked, the unpleasant taste and smell left in your mouth from a cigar can linger for hours. But you can get rid of cigar mouth quickly and easily using simple home remedies, preventive steps, and proper oral hygiene habits.

With the right

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.