Bad Breath
Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be unpleasant for you and those around you. It’s often caused by bad dental health, so seeing a dentist can help address it. However, some gastrointestinal problems can also cause bad breath. If you are struggling with persistent bad breath, read more about other possible causes and how to address them.
Related Symptoms
Causes
Bad breath is a symptom of a few stomach conditions. One of the most common is a H pylori infection. H pylori is a bacterium that is normally found in your stomach, but if there is too much of it it can cause stomach ulcers. If you experience stomach pain as well as bad breath, your doctor might suggest a breath, stool or blood test to diagnose it.
Another condition that can cause bad breath and is due to bacterial overgrowth is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Instead of the stomach, SIBO occurs when too many bacteria grow in the small intestine. SIBO is diagnosed with a breath test, and sometimes a physical examination of the stomach.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease (a type of IBD), and coeliac disease can all cause problems with your digestion. If your food isn’t being digested properly, this can cause bad breath. IBS can only be diagnosed by a specialist, so your doctor may refer you if they suspect it.
If you have bad breath and frequent acid reflux, you may have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD). GORD is caused by the valve muscle that stops acid travelling up your oesophagus (gullet or food pipe) becoming weak or relaxing when it shouldn’t. People with GORD can have problems digesting food or regurgitating small amounts of food, causing bad breath.
Bad breath in the morning
People with GORD can find their symptoms worsen over the course of the night, so when they wake up they are more aware of them. If your bad breath is caused by GORD, you might find it is worse in the morning.
Your pharmacist can recommend treatments to manage episodes of GORD. You should see your doctor or a specialist gastroenterologist for a diagnosis and treatment if your symptoms are severe, for example, if you frequently experience them or if they interfere strongly with your daily life.
Treatment
Your treatment will depend on what condition you have been diagnosed with. Your doctor might first suggest medicine or lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms. If they don’t go away, or get worse, you should see a specialist to confirm your diagnosis and discuss other treatment options.
If your bad breath, or other gastrointestinal symptom, is causing problems in your everyday life, book an appointment with our experienced gastroenterologist, Dr Sarmed Sami, today.
Prevention
Many peoples’ bad breath is caused by bad dental hygiene, so brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and seeing a dentist regularly can help.
Some people find that particular foods make their bad breath worse, like spicy or acidic foods. Many of the conditions we discussed above can be made worse by eating or drinking particular things. For example, if you have IBS we might advise that you avoid heavily processed foods (ready meals) or drinking lots of alcohol. You should follow the recommendations you have been given by your doctor.
At Digestive Health UK, we are partnered with City Dieticians to offer you the best care for your condition. We work closely with them to help you manage your symptoms by changing your diet, improving your daily life.
To learn more about how our multidisciplinary team could help improve your health, contact us today.
Book an appointment
Various conditions can cause bad breath, so you should speak to a specialist to discover which is causing yours.
Our expert team of gastroenterologists will discuss your symptoms with you and perform any necessary tests to determine the cause of your bad breath and the best treatment options.
Book a consultation today.