The only way to 'cure' bad breath caused by the stomach is to identify and treat the root cause. For this reason, if you suspect your halitosis is being caused by a stomach condition, it is important that you talk to your doctor.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
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.
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, can cause a person's breath to smell like feces because the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This acidic wash irritates the esophagus, which can cause extreme discomfort as well as foul breath.
Yogurt. The healthy bacteria in yogurt, lactobacillus, can help you to fight halitosis, by combatting the bad bacteria in your digestive system. One study showed that after eating yogurt for six weeks, 80% of study participants had a reduction in bad breath. One serving of plain, non-fat yogurt today can do wonders.
Brush using a fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties has been shown to reduce bad breath odors. Floss at least once a day. Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, helping to control bad breath.
Black tea is one of the best drinks for controlling bad breath. It's rich in polyphenols, which work double time to keep your breath smelling great. First, they inhibit the growth of foul-smelling bacteria, and second, they reduce the rate at which the bacteria in your mouth produce unpleasant odors.
The genera Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Weissella are among the most useful probiotics for the prevention or treatment of halitosis in the oral cavity.
Breath that smells like feces can occur with prolonged vomiting, especially when there is a bowel obstruction. It may also occur temporarily if a person has a tube placed through the nose or mouth to drain their stomach.
Postnasal drip, respiratory and tonsil infections, sinus problems, diabetes, liver and kidney issues, as well as certain blood disorders can all cause bad breath. In some rarer cases, bad breath could be a sign of cancer or other serious conditions like metabolic disorders.
Since the odor lies in the lungs, the quick fixes for treating bad breath—brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash—are only temporary solutions. To save your breath, try to limit your intake of garlic, onions, some varieties of fish, and meaty meals.
When it comes to persistent bad breath, the types of probiotic bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt, sourdough bread and miso soup may help ease the offending odor, a new study suggests.
One way is to lick your wrist, let it dry for a second, and sniff it - you would know if your breath stinks. Another way is to take a floss or tongue scraper and gently move it towards the back of your mouth or tongue and then smell it. This should also give you a fair assessment whether your breath smells bad.
Gingivitis can cause your breath to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. This is because of the bacteria in your mouth releasing chemicals that smells like these things. If you have gingivitis, you may also notice that your gingiva, or gums, are red and swollen. You may also bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
Why is morning breath a morning problem? Saliva. Specifically, saliva production decreases while you're sleeping, leaving you with dry mouth at night. Since saliva usually flushes out odor-causing particles, you're left with bacterial buildup that makes its presence known with its distinctive aroma.
Zinc supplements are available over the counter, or you can try to fill your diet with some zinc-filled foods like pumpkin or other squash seeds, dark chocolate or cocoa, or chickpeas in order to curb your bad breath naturally. Believe it or not, poor belly health can directly affect your breath!
Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits and fighting bad breath is one of them. Aside from being an antibacterial, it also has some pH-balancing properties. To use it as a home remedy, mix a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar into a glass of water. You can gargle vinegar for bad breath or drink it before meals.
Take a Zinc Supplement
Zinc helps stop the buildup of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) linked to bad breath. Upping your zinc intake, whether by taking a daily supplement or using a toothpaste or mouthwash with zinc can help reduce foul odors in the mouth.
The citric qualities found in a lemon can promote saliva production in your mouth, fighting off the bad breath in the process. Another way you can make the most of the lemon juice is making a mouth rinse from it. Add the lemon juice to a cup of water and rinse your mouth with the solution.
Try squeezing some lemon juice into a glass of water and drinking it first thing when you wake up. If you're out to eat, grab a lemon wedge to chew on, or stash an orange in your bag or at the office as an emergency breath-saving snack.
Everyone also should be aware of other new symptoms, in addition to bad breath, that are possible signs of oral, oropharyngeal (throat) or laryngeal cancer.
Severely ill patients often have characteristic smells. Patients with diabetic ketoacidosis have the fruity smell of ketones, although a substantial number of people are unable to detect this. Foetor hepaticus is a feature of severe liver disease; a sweet and musty smell both on the breath and in urine.