Sharp knives are safer than dull ones. And relaxing during a fight can make you more likely to win.

Sometimes, a counterintuitive solution works best. Researchers at the University of Sharjah [SHAA-ruh] in the United Arab Emirates are suggesting another counterintuitive idea deserves more study: garlic in mouthwash.

Garlic extract has been found to offer antimicrobial effects on par with commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants, such as chlorhexidine [chlor-heck-suh-dine].

Garlic-based mouthwash, however, might be slightly less comfortable to use than chlorhexidine. It might cause a slight burning sensation and there’s a bit of — no surprise here — an odor.

In its favor, mouthwash that includes garlic extract appears to offer longer-lasting antimicrobial protection for teeth and gums.

About 30 million metric tons of garlic were used in 2024, with China accounting for nearly 80% of global consumption and production. It is a $15 billion annual crop.

Garlic has long been one of the most potent naturally occurring antibacterial and antifungal crops. While it’s technically a vegetable, it’s more commonly used as an herb and a spice.

Garlic extract is already used in many over-the-counter health products. Unlike garlic, the synthetic chlorhexidine usually requires a prescription.

The researchers suggest more clinical trials are needed to confirm garlic’s effectiveness and usefulness as a mouthwash alternative.

But if you’ve got oral or dental issues, especially caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses, an antimicrobial mouthwash that includes garlic — and requires no prescription — could make life easier. Even though, yes, it sounds weird.