You brush, floss, and pop breath mints like crazy, but nothing can kill your stubborn bad breath. Sound familiar?
If you're frustrated by this stinky and embarrassing problem, maybe it's time to look beyond your mouth for some answers.
Sometimes bad breath causes can be medical problems, like acid reflux.
- Cause of bad breath from the stomach is gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This condition is caused by acid coming back up the esophagus, causing burning sensation in the chest or throat.
- Acid reflux is the backward flow of stomach contents such as undigested food, regurgitated bile, and stomach acids into your esophagus. The primary cause of acid reflux in most people is a faulty or weak lower esophageal sphincter
- It can also cause tooth erosion due to the acid in your stomach carrying into the mouth and weakening your teeth.
WHAT TO DO ?
- Your physician may also suggest making lifestyle changes.
- Many people find that GERD symptoms get better when they avoid common triggers like fatty and spicy food, alcohol, and big meals, especially close to bedtime.
- In most people, the combination of lifestyle changes and the right medication can get and keep GERD under control.
- Drinking plenty of water and chewing gum (sugar-free) because it stimulates saliva production and clears acid from the mouth.
- Giving up cigarettes is especially important because smoking contributes to GERD symptoms and smoker's breath.
- Follow your doctor's advice, and you should be able to banish "bad breath reflux" for good.
Eat foods that are rich in fiber to fight halitosis. Fiber helps the digestive movement (peristalsis) run smoothly so that reflux and obstruction are less likely to occur.
Fibrous foods also keep you feeling full longer and may help you maintain your weight.
GERD is linked to being overweight, so consult your doctor about losing weight to relieve acid reflux and heartburn.
Some chewable antacids include breath-freshening ingredients and will relieve both symptoms at once