Bad Breath from Stomach: Causes & Solutions

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 chronic kidney disease. Here are some common causes of bad breath from stomach issues.

• GORD or reflux — Bad breath can be a sign of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease or GORD. 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 odour, affecting your breath.
• Kidney disease — A paper published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry noted that bad breath that 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 bacterium. This bacterium 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.

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.

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.

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 towards fresher breath!

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.