Smoking a cigar is associated with a lot of things.
While some of them seem attractive, like the vibe it creates, other things are not so pleasant.
The bad breath you are left with after smoking a cigar is perhaps one of the worst.
While many people think this is what you sign up for, it is not entirely true.
There are a lot of ways to both prevent cigar taste and get rid of it.
If you are a cigar enthusiast and hate the breath that comes after it, keep reading.
Causes of the Unpleasant “Cigar Mouth”
Before we can delve into the details of how to get rid of cigar taste, we need to become aware of the things that cause it.
Sometimes, the fault lies in the cigar; other times, it lies in our way of smoking.
Below are some of the most common causes of the unpleasant cigar mouth most of us despise.
Smoking a Bad or “Machine-Made” Cigar
If you have experienced smoking different types of cigars, you might notice a huge difference in them.
No, we are not talking about their lingering flavors and the overall experience.
While some cigars do not affect the smell of your mouth, others make you want to stay in the bathroom and continue rinsing for hours.
The difference here lies in the cigar quality.
Machine-made cigars have a lot of ammonia in them and a weird bitter, metallic, and bad taste.
This is because the tobacco leaves used in them have not been fermented properly.
Avoid smoking bad cigars altogether.
And even if you accidentally find yourself in a situation where smoking a bad-quality stogie is your only choice, don’t do it!
On top of that, an even worse scenario would be to inhale the smoke.
What You Ate or Drank Before Smoking
While cigars do get a lot of the blame when it comes to cigar taste, what you eat or drink before your smoking session has a significant role too.
This does not just affect the taste in your mouth after smoking, but even during it.
Try to avoid salty food since it can dry your mouth.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to list all the things you should and shouldn’t eat or drink before smoking.
So it is better to do your homework before smoking and find the best cigar pairings.
Smoking Too Fast Can Cause a Bad Cigar Breath
Cigars are supposed to be smoked slowly. This is why high-quality handmade cigars are made to combust at a slow and even pace.
If you smoke your cigar too quickly, it will burn too hot and taste harsh.
This is bound to leave tar on your tongue, which will eventually lead to an unpleasant cigar taste.
And that’s not it. Smoking cigars faster than they should be smoked causes a cigar buzz.
This can ruin your entire experience, making you feel sick and nauseous.
Dry Mouth
Having a dry mouth can lead to a cigar taste as well. You must be wondering what that two have to do with each other.
Well, it’s simple. When your mouth is dry, the taste of the cigar is likely to stick there.
The key to avoiding this is keeping your mouth hydrated before and when you smoke a cigar.
How to Prevent Nasty Cigar Taste
Now, of course, the purpose of this article is not to scare you and make you throw away all the cigars you have.
Cigar smoking is a beautiful way to relax and forget all your problems for a couple of hours.
Something like a cigar taste shouldn’t come in its way.
Here, we have a list of different ways to prevent that nasty cigar taste without compromising on the experience.
Smoke a Premium Quality Cigar
First things first, when we know that smoking bad cigars can cause cigar taste, why not just avoid them altogether?
It makes no sense for you to ruin your smoking experience just for the sake of an extra couple of dollars.
If you plan on smoking a cigar, ensure you get a premium-quality one.
There are so many fantastic options in the market, so do not settle for anything less than perfection.
Stay Hydrated
We have established by now how a dry mouth can cause the cigar taste to stick to our palate.
Not only this, but it also encourages bacteria to accumulate in your mouth, leading to bad breath.
It is a good idea to keep your mouth hydrated both before you begin smoking and during it.
There are a lot of different beverages to choose from; even water will do.
However, drinking tonic water and seltzers is the preferred drink to avoid this problem.
Why? Because not only do these drinks hydrate your mouth, they cleanse it as well.
Other options include vodka or a gin and tonic. You can also go for cocktails that have citrus in them.
The reason behind this will be explained later.
Enjoy Your Cigar and Smoke Slowly
Yes, we know how exciting it can be to smoke a cigar, and you may want to puff every five to ten seconds.
But before you begin doing so, hear us out.
Smoking too fast can cause bad cigar breath. To avoid this, make sure you give your mouth some rest between each puff.
Ideally, this gap should be between thirty seconds to a minute.
This way, you can enjoy the flavor of the cigar without causing it to burn too fast and dry your mouth out.
Avoid Smoking the Nub
Some people want to enjoy every last inch of their cigars, and seeing as how great cigars are; we don’t blame them.
However, this may not be such a good idea, especially when it comes to smoking the nub.
The last few inches of a cigar are its hottest part, having the greatest intensity.
If you smoke this part, the heat will be too close and intense for your mouth.
To avoid this, we recommend you stop smoking before you reach the cigar band.
We know it may be tempting, but definitely not worth the cigar breath you will have later on.
How to Get Cigar Taste Out of Mouth?
As much as we advise taking steps to prevent cigar taste, there are times when things are just not that easy.
For example, you smoke a cigar, get that dreaded taste in your mouth, and suddenly remember you had plans with your girlfriend. What would you do then?
For situations like these, we have mentioned the five best ways to get rid of cigar breath.
So keep reading and free yourself from this worry once and for all.
Mouthwash Products Created for Bad Cigar Taste
If you ask a regular cigar smoker their hack for not having cigar breath, they will swear on mouthwash.
One of the most popular options for this includes Listerine and Smart Mouth.
Now you might be thinking how you cannot go running home to use the mouthwash after every time you smoke.
This is why we recommend putting mouthwash in a small travel bottle and keeping it in your glove box.
Rinse with Hydrogen Peroxide
A lot of people rely on simply brushing their teeth and gargling with water, hoping it will do the trick. However, this does not always work.
So why not add some hydrogen peroxide to this process?
For instance, most hydrogen peroxide brands available from your local drug store are already heavily diluted.
So when additionally mixed with 50/50 parts of water, it’s perfectly safe for your teeth.
Use this mixture to rinse your mouth thoroughly and remove your unpleasant cigar breath.
Citric Acid Also Removes Bad Cigar Taste
Many people may not know this, but the best way to get rid of cigar breath is by using citric acid.
This helps break down the tar in your mouth. Therefore, we recommend that you drink plenty of liquids that have it.
While any other acid will also do the trick, citric acid has a pleasant taste and smell of its own. The safest option here is drinking orange juice.
It is readily available and affordable, too, making it the perfect solution.
Sugarless Gum and Breath Mints
Sugarless gum and breath mint can be a lifesaver.
However, what a lot of people do not realize is that these hacks do not eliminate the smoke smell. Instead, they just mask it.
As other options on this list help get rid of the underlying cause, we always prefer that.
However, if you do not have any choice, having some Tic Tacs or Altoids can do the trick.
Make Sure to Brush Your Teeth
How could we forget the go-to method to get rid of cigar breath: brushing our teeth?
By going for this method, you can get rid of all the odor-causing bacteria from your mouth and tongue.
Speaking of the tongue, make sure you scrub it either with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper.
This will help get rid of the cigar breath even better.
