What Causes Bad Breath

New science uncovers the exact cause of halitosis.

When it comes to bad breath, obvious offenders, like strong-smelling foods or poor oral hygiene, are often top-of-mind. However, bad breath doesn't always come straight from your mouth — it could stem from a problem in your stomach. Bad breath from stomach issues can be perplexing because it's harder to identify, isolate, and treat. Still, understanding what causes bad breath from the stomach can help you decide if your breath is from a garlicky lunch or something more serious.

Bad Breath Causes

Your digestive tract can have more to do with your oral health than you think. The first step in dealing with bad breath, or halitosis, that seems to come from the stomach is determining its cause. If you know that you're sensitive to certain foods, your bad breath could be related to stomach acid. Or, if you notice that your breath smells like ammonia, it could be the result of a kidney infection or chronic disease. Here are some common causes of bad breath from stomach issues.

GERD or reflux — Bad breath can be a sign of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

If you tend to have heartburn or reflux, your bad breath could be related to the excess acid produced by your digestive tract. Those acids can have a sour odor, affecting your breath. Kidney disease — The U.S. National Library of Medicine noted that bad breath that smells fishy or has a heavy ammonia-like smell can sometimes be a sign of chronic kidney disease. Ulcers — A link has been found between bad breath and H. pylori bacteria. This bacteria is a common cause of peptic ulcers, as well as dyspepsia. However, additional research needs to be performed to determine precisely how H. pylori contribute to bad breath. Bowel obstruction — One symptom of bowel obstruction is bad breath. This occurs because nothing can move down your intestinal tract. Everything inside the digestive tract ferments and produces a bad odor that escapes through the mouth. Talk to your doctor about how to cure bad breath coming from the stomach. Make sure to discuss all of your symptoms, not just the bad breath, to develop a treatment plan.

Bad Breath Remedies

The main treatment for bad breath from the stomach is treating the root cause. In addition to that, you can take some daily steps to help freshen your breath. Avoid your triggers. Take note of triggers like spicy food, dairy, stress, or other things that seem to make your bad breath worse so you can steer clear of them. Chew gum. Try chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production and help banish bad breath. Keep a healthy mouth. Brush twice a day, clean in between your teeth with interdental brushes, floss, or water flossers daily, and use a mouthwash to ensure you don't have food particles or bacteria contributing to bad breath.

Consider a probiotic.

Better breath could start with a healthier gut, so talk to your doctor about taking a probiotic or adding a daily cup of yogurt to your health routine. It's not always simple to identify the cause of bad breath, and sometimes the problem is more complicated than forgetting to brush. Keep track of solutions you've tried and other symptoms you're experiencing so you can talk with your doctor to find the underlying cause. That way, you can address the issue head-on and work toward fresher breath!

What Causes Bad Breath from Stomach?

There are numerous reasons why the digestive system can cause bad breath. Below are some of the causes of bad breath from the stomach:

H. Pylori

One of the most often occurring reasons of digestive system bad breath is H. Pylori. It’s a sort of bacteria that often coexists with the other bacteria in your gut microbiome, but when things go awry, it can cause major damage. About two thirds of stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers may be brought on by it. Patients with stomach cancer frequently have it found in the lining of their stomachs.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease 

Your digestive tract may be the cause of your foul breath if you frequently get heartburn or reflux after eating particular meals, such as dairy and spicy cuisine. These acids may smell sour, which causes gaseous odors to impact your breath.

Kidney Disease

Chronic renal disease may occasionally be indicated by poor breath that smells fishy or strongly like ammonia.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

SIBO may be the source of your bad breath if you have gas, bloating, and burping. The large intestine, where digesting occurs in the digestive tract, is home to trillions of bacteria. Although the small intestine contains a much less amount of microbiota and is intended for nutrition absorption, bacterial overgrowth can occasionally occur there. Following a stomach infection, SIBO might occur in certain people. Patients with lactose intolerance or fructose malabsorption may also have issues with their gut flora. After consuming fiber, symptoms frequently get worse.