Bad breath, also calledhalitosis, is a common problem.
Foods such as garlic, onions, or fish often cause it.
Reflux leads tosymptoms ofheartburn, bad breath, and a sour taste in the mouth.
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you could treat occasional heartburn withover-the-counter (OTC) antacids.
Changing your lifestyle may also help.
You may want to avoid food and drinks that trigger acid reflux.
Avoid Trigger Foods
Certain foods can also cause bad breath.
Most people learn which foods cause bad breath by eating them and sensing the results.
The foods that cause halitosis will be different from person to person.
Some of the more common foods that causing bad breath include:
4.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Practices
Keeping up with good oral hygiene also helps manage bad breath.
This means:
It’s commonly suggested that people get their teeth cleaned every six months or so.
People with certain conditions affecting the mouth or digestive system might need to get their teeth cleaned more often.
Make Lifestyle Changes
People who notice they frequently have bad breath may want to consider changing their everyday habits.
Sometimes, the “bad” bacteria can start to grow out of control.
One such bacterium isHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori).
pylorican cause many digestive problems, including ulcers in the stomach and bad breath.
Antibiotics are used to reduce the amount ofH.
After treatment, the halitosis improves.
However, gum disease, such as periodontitis, could worsen without treatment.
Both genetics and environmental triggers can lead to these autoimmune diseases that produce inflammation in the digestive system.
Treating IBD involves managing the inflammation it causes in the digestive system.
Treatment can include medications, lifestyle changes, and adjunct (additional) therapies.
If there’s less inflammation causing problems in the mouth and digestive organs, bad breath may be reduced.
It is challenging to diagnose and treat.
Some people with IBS report bad breath.
Bad breath is not a classic sign of IBS, but people with IBS have reported it.
Most people find it helpful to first see a dentist or dental hygienist to address bad breath.
There are reasons for bad breath that don’t involve the digestive system, butH.
pyloriinfection and GERD are two of the most common causes.
A gastroenterologist or, in some cases, an internal medicine specialist can treat these conditions.
Summary
Bad breath, or halitosis, is common.
It may be possible to pinpoint foods that cause bad breath, and avoiding those may help.
There could also be more systemic reasons for bad breath that may require treatment from a healthcare provider.
Some of these causes involve the mouth, directly or indirectly, and a dental professional may help.
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