If you experience persistent bad breath, the cause may come from deep in the digestive system. However, bad breath caused by the digestive system can have many causes.
Let’s look at conditions of the gut microbiome and its associated causes of bad breath.
The Digestive System and Bad Breath
Most people who have bad breath from the digestive system describe a rotten egg smell. This is due to gut microbiota that break down sulfur, releasing an eggy-smelling gas. For some people. However, the smell is a more rotten, putrid smell.
Sulphur Burp Microbes
Sulfur-reducing bacteria and other micro-organisms utilize sulfur compounds within food, producing hydrogen sulfide as an end product. This can make your burps smell like rotten eggs. These bacteria include H. Pylori.
H. Pylori Symptoms
H. Pylori is one of the most common causes of bad breath from the digestive system. It’s a type of bacteria that exists within your normal gut microbiota, but when things get out of balance, it can wreak havoc.
It can cause duodenal ulcers and about two-thirds of stomach ulcers. It’s also often detected in the stomach lining of patients with stomach cancer.
H. pylori are the most common chronic bacterial pathogen in humans. It’s present in over 50% of the world population and is more common in older people and in less sanitary, more crowded places. With increasing standards of hygiene and less overcrowding, the infection rate is decreasing.
H. pylori symptoms can be spread by mouth-to-mouth contact, contaminated water, sharing food or utensils or through body fluids like vomit or feces.While many people with H. pylori infection don’t have any symptoms, if symptoms occur alongside bad breath, it’s a good sign that you may have it.
H. pylori symptoms include:
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- burping
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- peptic ulcers
But if you don’t have symptoms, how can you discover if you have H. pylori and if it is the cause of your bad breath?
Testing H. pylori symptoms
- Breath tests
A urea breath test may detect if H. pylori is the cause of your bad breath
- Blood tests
Laboratory analysis can detect H. pylori in a blood sample.
- Stool tests
Your feces can also be tested for H. pylori. Your doctor will give you a container to take home so that you can provide them with a stool sample to send to a laboratory for analysis.
Treatment of H. pylori symptoms
In some cases, a 1 or 2-week course of antibiotics may be required to cure H. pylori symptoms. This may resolve bad breath. Common antibiotics prescribed by doctors for H. pylori include amoxicillin, tetracycline (not to be used for children <12 yrs.), metronidazole, or clarithromycin.
Antibiotics should be taken with extreme caution due to the impact on your microbiome. But in some cases are necessary.
Before taking antibiotics you should look for general dietary causes of digestive imbalance.
GERD symptoms as a cause of bad breath
GERD symptoms are a very common digestive system disorder that can cause bad breath.
The most common GERD symptoms are chronic heartburn (a burning pain in the lower chest), caused by acid reflux.
Other less common GERD symptoms include:
- Reflux (stomach acid or contents building up or splashing up into the esophagus or even the mouth)
- Belching or burping
- Pain or discomfort when swallowing
- Waterbrash (a sudden excess of saliva)
- Dysphagia (the sensation of food sticking in the esophagus)
- A chronic sore throat
- Throat infections
- Inflammation of the gums or gum disease
- Erosion of the enamel of the teeth (your dentist may notice this)
- Chronic irritation in the throat
- Croaky voice in the morning
- A sour taste in the mouth
What causes GERD Symptoms?
H. pylori infection can be a significant factor in GERD symptoms and other digestive disorders.
GERD symptoms occur due to a failure of the muscular valve (sphincter) that separates the lower end of the esophagus from the stomach. This is known as the lower esophageal valve or LES.
The LES normally opens wide to permit swallowed food and liquids to pass easily into the stomach. When this valves relaxes too much or becomes weak, it can allow stomach acid and contents up into your esophagus, causing your GERD symptoms and sometimes, bad breath.
Often, people are treated for GERD symptoms with proton pump inhibitors, which reduce stomach acid production, or medicines to neutralize stomach acid.
In the book Heartburn Cured, Dr. Robillard discusses how heartburn is caused by bacterial ‘overgrowth’ and poor digestion of carbohydrates.
Tips For Reducing Acid Reflux and GERD Symptoms:
- Breath properly, through your nose and deep into your diaphragm (belly breathing). This provides good oxygen perfusion in the body.
- Reduce simple carbohydrates such as sugar and wheat from the diet
- Eat foods rich in pre- and probiotics. To balance your microbiome, you need to eat prebiotics (food for bacteria) and probiotic foods (fermented foods).
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and Bad Breath
If you’re experiencing gas, burping and bloating then SIBO may be causing your bad breath.
In your digestive system, trillions of bacteria live in the large intestine where digestion takes place. The small intestine is designed for nutrient absorption and has far less microbiota, but sometimes bacterial overgrowth occurs here.
80% of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also have Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth SIBO.
Symptoms of SIBO include:
- Burping
- Flatulence
- Bloating within an hour of meals
- Diarrhea
- Cramping
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Skin rashes
- IBS
- Asthma
Some patients may develop SIBO after a gastric infection. Patients who have fructose malabsorption or lactose intolerance may also experience problems with gut bacteria. Symptoms tend to be worse after eating fiber.
Gasses produced in SIBO are the major cause of complaint and may cause bad breath.
Testing for SIBO
If you, your doctor or your dentist suspect that SIBO may be the cause of your bad breath, a breath test for hydrogen sulfide may be recommended.
The test measures the hydrogen and methane gas produced by bacteria in the small intestine that has diffused into the blood, then lungs, for expiration.
After a 1 or 2-day preparatory diet, which removes much of the food that would feed the bacteria, you drink a sugar solution of glucose or lactulose.
Treatment for SIBO
If SIBO is identified as the cause of your bad breath, a course of antibiotics may be recommended. However, it often recurs.
A low-FODMAP (Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides, and Polyols) diet can also help short term. You should aim to reduce or eliminate simple carbohydrates, such as sugar or wheat, from your diet.
Irritable bowel syndrome and bad breath
While SIBO more commonly causes bad breath, irritable bowel syndrome can cause bad breath too.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the digestive system. Most commonly, patients suffer recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea or both.
Other IBS symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Sensation of incomplete evacuation after defecation
- Mucus in your stool
- Heartburn
- Bleeding
- Fever
- Weight loss
If you suffer from bad breath that can be described as sulfur burping, and also have diarrhea or vomiting, you should see a doctor immediately. These may be the first signs of irritable bowel syndrome.
Crohn’s Disease and Celiac Disease
Malabsorption of food is a major cause of bad breath. Both Crohn’s and celiac disease may limit digestion, providing more undigested food for sulfur-reducing bacteria to break down. This generates more hydrogen sulfide, causing smelly burps and sometimes bad breath.
Digestive System Infection
If you’ve experienced diarrhea and digestive system problems alongside bad breath, it may be caused by infection.
A specific digestive system infection can cause bad breath. Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia lamblia, a one-cell parasite that can infect humans via food or water. Symptoms of Giardiasis include bloating, diarrhea, farting, unpleasant-smelling burps and bad breath.
If your bad breath is caused by Giardiasis, you have contracted the infection by:
- Swallowing Giardia picked up from surfaces that contain feces from an infected person or animal
- Drinking or accidentally swallowing infected water or using ice made from infected water sources
- Giardia may live (for example, untreated or improperly treated water from lakes, streams, or wells)
- Eating unprepared food containing Giardia organisms
- Having contact with someone who is ill with Giardiasis
The incubation period after exposure is generally 1 to 3 weeks. A Giardiasis diagnosis is generally made by testing stool samples.
For persistent infections, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
- Metronidazole (Flagyl) is the most commonly used antibiotic for giardia infection, but you may be prescribed
- Tinidazole (Tindamax) or Nitazoxanide (Alinia).
Gallbladder problems and bad breath
Gall bladder dysfunction, gallstones or gall bladder removal can lead to unpleasant burping that can cause bad breath.
Your gall bladder produces digestive juices used for fat absorption.
When the gall bladder builds up mineral stones, the bile ducts can become blocked. This can cause infection and also pain, nausea or even vomiting, especially after eating a fatty meal.
Symptoms of gall bladder disease include:
- Agonizing pain in the upper right abdomen — especially after a heavy meal. This may last minutes or hours.
- Sudden fever
- Nausea and/or vomiting after meals
- Light clay color stools (caused by insufficient bile, this indicates blocked gall bladder ducts)
- Itchy skin rashes
- A white-coated tongue
- Pungent body odor and yellowish skin
- Yellow, discolored eyes, and dark circles beneath the eyes
Gall bladder problems can a serious health issue, so if you are experiencing these symptoms along with bad breath, ensure you see a doctor.
Constipation that causes bad breath
If your bad breath smells like feces, the cause of your bad breath may be constipation.
Constipation causes an accumulation of undigested food in the bowels. It’s thought to often be caused by a passive lifestyle and a lack of exercise.
Sitting all day, which many of our jobs now require, isn’t good for our digestion. If you also have a diet low in fiber and a lack of exercise, you may suffer from constipation. Unfortunately, constipation can be the cause of bad breath.
If you suffer from bad breath and constipation, try to take regular exercise, increase your intake of fiber, drink water every hour and reduce your intake of fats.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a condition where there is damage to the nerves or muscles of the stomach, causing it to empty very slowly. Sometimes this nerve damage occurs due to long-term diabetes (diabetic gastroparesis).
The vagus nerve may also be injured or severed during surgery, which can affect the pumping of food from the stomach. However, sometimes gastroparesis occurs for no known reason (idiopathic gastroparesis).
This slow emptying of the stomach can cause bad breath.
Pyloric Stenosis
Bad breath may be a symptom of pyloric stenosis. This is a condition where the last part of the stomach is abnormally narrowed. It is mainly seen in infants and may be linked to genetic and environmental factors. The main symptom and it can lead to dehydration, which in turn can cause bad breath. If left untreated, the dehydration can cause fatal complications.
Supplements to heal bad breath naturally
For a quick natural remedy to heal digestive bad breath I suggest these supplements may help to:
1) Kick-start digestion
2) Rebalance the gut microbiome
3) Recalibrate the immune system
-
Probiotic – GutPro® by Organic 3, Inc.
-
Enzyme (with HCl) – GutZyme® HCl by Organic 3, Inc.
-
Enzyme (without HCl) – GutZyme® by Organic 3, Inc.
-
Cod Liver Oil – Rosita Real Foods (Liquid)
-
Cod Liver Oil – Rosita Real Foods (Softgels)
-
Magnesium – Goodnight Maggie™ by Organic 3, Inc.
-
Magnesium – Wake Up Maggie Capsules by Organic 3, Inc.
If you have digestive system symptoms as well as bad breath, visit your doctor. Don’t be embarrassed – they’ve seen it all before! Their advice may cure both your digestive problems and your bad breath.
Do you know someone with bad breath? Leave your questions in the comments below.
For more information on Dr. Lin’s clinical protocol that highlights the steps parents can take to prevent dental problems in their children: Click here.
Want to know more? Dr Steven Lin’s book, The Dental Diet, is available to order today. An exploration of ancestral medicine, the human microbiome and epigenetics it’s a complete guide to the mouth-body connection. Take the journey and the 40-day delicious food program for life-changing oral and whole health.
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80 Responses
Good info.
Thanks very much Sandy
What can I do to rid me of rotten egg breath immediately.
Hi Sanfy,
Thanks for reaching out!
You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Checking your Vitamin D levels is also very important. You will also want to get checked for H.pylori infection
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Also have your IgG food intolerance test done if possible and check your vitamin D status.
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps! Feel better soon!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
Dr. Suffering from severe bad breath from nose and mouth . feel that people sitting 10ft also can sense the bad smell, which causing depression and stress everyday. I have sinus problem also. So far Dr whom I have consulted has given me stress tablets and drowsy tablets which leads to many other reactions. First I want to know this disease name and a permanent solution. When I feel others are feeling uncomfortable getting anxious and smelling very badly.
Hi! My name is Leah i am suffering bad breath i’ve been also consult this to doctors but it’s gone i took all the medicines they gave me. I am depressed and wanted to end my life because of bullying..
Hi Leah,
I am suffering from same problem, quiet long now…first of all don’t get depressed i have till know identified various ways to sort it out….some other guys issues has been resolved mine…still continues, reason – not same treatment is of all.
Hello Dr. Lin, My name is Ms. Kia and my question is how do you know exactly if you are having digestive bacteria problems if I am having no symptoms. I have been dealing with bad breath for over 2 years now and I have seen so many different dentist. So I believe it may be coming from with in. I had a EGD and a Colon done and no h.pylori was found this time although i was dx with h.pylori 3 years ago. Your consideration for my question will be greatly appreciated. I’m so embarrassed about this and Im not sure what to do to make sure Im killing the bacteria that may be causing my bad breath. Thank you, Ms. Brown
Hi Kia, thanks for your question.
First of all, digestive bad breath is one of the less common causes of bad breath. If you can’t find the source and have investigated thoroughly I would look for other systems.
They are summarized in this article: https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/
The most common cause of bad breath (90%) is dental origin: https://www.drstevenlin.com/7-dental-problems-simple-test-bad-breath/
Testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You can also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Some natural remedies for bad breath that may assist: https://www.drstevenlin.com/13-ways-to-get-rid-of-bad-breath-naturally/
And finally, I think it’s important to take bad breath from a microbiome perspective: https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-mouthwash-really-cure-bad-breath-it-may-harm-the-microbiome/
I hope this helps!
Steven
I have been having and dealing with bad breath for 14 years. I visit dentist 3 times per year. My dental hygiene is very good. But I am still tormented by this problem.
Hi Selvi,
Sorry to hear that. Here is an article that explores all the known causes of bad breath beyond the mouth.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/
Testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You can also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Hope this helps
Steven
Sulfur burps can be caused by an underlying health condition that prevents food from being completely digested thereby allowing sulfur reducing bacteria to produce hydrogen sulphide. Read More At https://emedicalhealth.net/sulfur-burps/
Doc Lin. I am now 61 years old. At 13 I was hospitalised with suspected appendicitis, I have had bad breath ever since. My breath is sweet sickly garlic. I never eat garlic as I hate the stuff. I don’t smoke or drink. I have a good oral health regime. Can you please give me a little advice. Regards Ruth.
Hi Ruth,
I would check for: 1) Vitamin D status. 2) IgG food intolerances 3) H.pylori infection.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Here are some testing options for bad breath too. I’d suggest getting more information on your condition.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps!
am also suffering from the same problem, I HV tried various doctor and like all antibiotics in the town.
kindly assist
Hi Solomon,
If you’ve taken many antibiotics, you may need to take a probotic regime.
1) Vitamin D status. 2) IgG food intolerances 3) H.pylori infection.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut.
Here are some testing options for bad breath too. I’d suggest getting more information on your condition.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps!
Dr Steven Lin
Hlo sir… I have been suffering from this bad breathe from.last 3_4 years ….I have visited dentist , homeopathic doctor many times… but I didnt find any solution of this prblm.. I have read the article ..but mostly I didnt find symptoms as I mentioned… But. I feel. In my college time , I remain busy whole day.. I didnt have meal on time, may be this prblm arose from that days.. I also have heartburn. Sometimes after meal if I have spicy food.. In my case this prblm only arise after 3_4 hours of having meal.. Whenever I feel hungry again. Some time in the morning time , the level of bad breathe on top level , when I brush my teeth , it decrease little bit , but after having meal.it finished totally.. so pls help me ,, give me proper guidance.. And recommend some tests or medidicine whatever u think Is best…
Hi there!
With GERD, you need to check H.pylori status. Also check your vitamin D, IgG food intolernaces
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Here are some testing options for bad breath too. I’d suggest getting more information on your condition.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Great article. Thorough and very helpful!
Hello there Dr I had a nasty fall about 5 weeks ago causing me to land on my head and shoulder on concrete causing a triple break to my clavicle and head pain. I since am having a lot of difficulty having a bowel movement… I’ve been to my dr and he has given me movecol and Lactulose did nothing to relieve me. The longest I’ve gone without
having a movement is 2.5 weeks ! Do you think the fall and the constipation are related and I am now getting very bad breath. Please help? ?
Hi there Naina,
Yes gut problems can lead to bad breath.
Here are some testing options for bad breath too. I’d suggest getting more information on your condition.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Dr Steven Lin
Please Dr. I’ve had this bad breath for as long as i could remember,roughly when i was around 14-15 years,at first it was only coming through my mouth as i did dental cleaning several times and would have a fresh breath for at most a day or two and i will start having it again,around 2016 it started coming through my nose too and i will be having very bad body odor as well,it is so worse that it could fill up a room,people around me always complain about it and it is so disgusting and annoying.
When i clear my bowel the foul odor coming from my mouth as well as from nose seems to reduce a bit,i have Itchy skin rashes too as well as constipation,and i also have one gum pocket but i always try to clean it with floss to avoid bad smell to emanate from there.
when i visit hospital the dentists do not take me serious they don’t feel how i’m suffering.
I’m really feeling bad and lonely due to this disease i’m always alone and can’t socialize with anyone even though i’m in the University now.
Please help.
Hi Yussif,
Very sorry to hear. Bad breath shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Have you had your vitamin D checked recently? That’s a big start. You will also want to get checked for H.pylori infection and IgG food intolerances (need to cut out the stuff that’s stopping proper digestion).
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Digestive problems can be very persistent. If you had bad breath, I would suspect small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps. Feel better soon!
Dr Steven Lin
Hi I’ve been suffering with bad breath for three years. I’ve recently been diagnosed with ibs.
If the ibs is managed will the bad breath go away as a result?
Sir .i have bad smell problem from my mouth since2007 as i have been suffering acid reflux disease.i took many medicines like zantac ,pan40 etc…bt these did not cure my disease…plz suggest some medicines against that.
Hi Lina,
I would check for: 1) Vitamin d status. 2) IgG food intolerances 3) H.pylori infection.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Here are some testing options for bad breath too. I’d suggest getting more information on your condition.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps!
Hi Dr.Lin my name is reena and i am from north east India and my question is … i have a very bad breath smell and it come from inside my stomach ..please suggest me some medicine .
Hi Reena,
Digestive problems can be very persistent. If you had bad breath, I would suspect small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Checking your Vitamin D levels is also very important. You will also want to get checked for H.pylori infection (happens in both digestive system and mouth)
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Also have your IgG food intolerance test done if possible and check your vitamin D status.
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps!
Dr Steven Lin
I’ve been suffering from chronic halitosis (which is definitely not related to dental issues) from over 11 years now. Thanks for the compact and detailed information.
Hi Vin! Have you undergone some tests yet for your condition? I’m glad you found the article helpful. Thanks for the feedback!
I’ve been having bad breath issues for years now, I brush and rinse day and it doesn’t seem to work. I’m thinking it’s something digestive can you help me cure this.
Thanks
So much of this makes so much sense. I’m 25 and have been suffering from bad breath since early childhood. It has affected my confidence and dating life. I sometimes put my hand over my mouth while speaking. I have always had chronic constipation and I was told by a doctor that I had IBS and GERD. I took a breath test. I found on a medical paper that it said something about me having intestinal overgrowth syndrome. This was never discussed and I changed doctors for insurance reasons.
Now the new gastroenterologist is saying that bad breath from stomach problems is a myth and ran tests and says I only have a low side of high functioning gallbladder, that isn’t necessary to take out. The upper endoscopy showed inflammation. He chose not to make a big deal about it. This issue of bad breath and some of my stomach issues are worsening. Should I change doctors or get a second opinion? I’m a cancer survivor and am more adamant about my care.
Hi Dr Steven Lin
thank you for the article it is very informative.
my understanding is that your in Australia, couldn’t your work address.
do you have dental practice/clinic in Australia/Melbourne,
do you see patient?
Hello. My fiancé has bad breath. He doesn’t smoke, has good personal hygiene, and although he does not drink a lot of water, a recent physical analysis has deemed him “very hydrated”. He is a very nice, sensitive person, and I know he knows it is an issue because he is constantly using listerine strips. How can I tactfully let him know he needs to address the issue with a doctor? I don’t want to hurt him or make him paranoid. Thank you!
Hello? Ferris? Bueller?
hi doctor i think my problem is GERD because the sudden increase of saliva is happen many time so is that have any solution? please help me i m in trouble thanks
I am suffering from bad breath too all my life. I’ve been to many doctors but unfortunately, i was not cured. I have post nasal drip due to my allergies, constipation and belching, tmj and of course anxiety. I tried alternative doctors as well but i just wasted all my money on them. As of now, i just continually pray to the Almighty Father in heaven that he will give me the way to cure this curse that causing me pain everyday. I will try to do a parasite cleanse and hopefully this will be the exit to my 34 year curse. To those who has bad breath: don’t lose hope! God is watching us and is ready to help us but He wants us to be obedient to Him and follow all His commands. Just remember that everything has a reason and God won’t give us a trial that we can’t bear or solve. Have faith in Him!
Thanks for sharing. For more on post-nasal drip, you should take a look at this article: https://www.drstevenlin.com/post-nasal-drip-bad-breath-blocked-sinus-and-bad-breath-causes/
even me i have that problem incase of any resolution kindly help
Hi Doc,
Im havinh bad breath fo 6 months now and uncontrollable, hot & foul smelling flatulence for more than 2 mos now, started my farting march last year but still c0ntollable.
Ive seen 2 grastro doctor but no relief. Hope you can help me.
Hello Dr. I’m Mahesh of age 18 suffering from a bad odour coming out from my mouth as from stomach this happens only when I drink water even in small quantity tooo
I hope you will gv me a good suggestion soon
Hi Doc,
I am Saurabh, I have bad breath due to reflux disease, for more than 4 years and now it is worst.
issues like :
chest burning,
a sore throat,
mucus in the throat,
gas in the stomach,
indigestion,
continuous bad breath,
weight loss,
over nightfall
and other nightfall effects.
How do I treat this situation? What should I do first nightfall medication or stomach disease problems? I don’t know either stomach is creating a problem of nightfall or extra nightfall creating problems of the stomach.Please Help.
Hi Saubra,
I would check for: 1) Vitamin d status. 2) IgG food intolerances 3) H.pylori infection.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Here are some testing options for bad breath too. I’d suggest getting more information on your condition.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
kindly help i cant smell my breath my partner and sister have been telling me its bad.
i have sinus and always brush my teeth 3 times a day to reduce the smell.
the worst of it all was when i brushed my teeth and my partner said the breath is still there.
i seriously need help !! i hate it because i cant smell it!!! please help please help
Very sorry to hear. Bad breath shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Checking your Vitamin D is a big start. Also, you will also want to check for H.pylori infection and IgG food intolerances (need to cut out the stuff that’s stopping proper digestion).
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Digestive problems can be very persistent. If you had bad breath, I would suspect small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps. Feel better soon!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
Hi, sir, I’m Chizzy, and, this is my story. I think I contracted Giardiasis from my compound’s well as I used the water for cooking sometime last year. I initially thought it was a rotten tooth that caused the bad breath, but, after I had extracted the tooth, it was still persistent, and, an X-ray showed I had sinusitis as well, but, when I burped, it smelt really foul showing it came from my esophagus; more ever, my faeces and farts smelt worse than they should… Please, I would like you to advice me on what to do, and, if the metronidazole prescprition is good, how to go about it. Your help is good, and, God bless and keep you.
Hi Chizzy,
I would investigate sinus blockage, here’s an article outlining: https://www.drstevenlin.com/post-nasal-drip-bad-breath/
Hope this helps.
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
Dr. Lin,
I have been battling bad breath for over a year now. I am hoping you can help me. I was diagnosed with IBS 20 years ago. I am also lactose intolerant. In December of 2016 I went to Mexico. After a week there I came back and was sick for about three days. I threw up once during that time (which I almost never do). Because I was experiencing bad breath, a year ago I had a deep cleaning (scaling) of all my teeth. I switched my toothpaste and mouthwash to Closys. At some point, I realized that I was losing weight. I saw my doctor and he had my stool tested for H.Pylori – negative. He then put me on Dexilant for GERD. No change after a few days. I asked to be put on an antibiotic. He put me on Cipro. Stools changed and breath got a little better for a day or two. I had been having diarrhea almost on a daily basis and was burping and passing gas after every meal. I then went to a gastroenterologist. He had my stool tested. When it came back he said my profile looked like someone who has Ulcerative Colitis. I also have rashes on my legs. I told him that I thought I might have SIBO. He put me on Doxycycline Monohydrate because I am allergic to penicillin and Xifaxan is a distant derivative of penicillin. I put myself on a low FOD-map diet. I also started taking VSL3 probiotic once a day. My stools went from diarrhea to extremely hard. Because of my stools, I eat one meal of resistant starch (oatmeal that has been cooled overnight) that conforms to my low FODmap diet. I also take Artic Cod Liver Oil once a day and I take digestive enzymes at every meal. The bad breath still continues. Then my gastroenterologist put me on Xifaxan for 5 days, three times a day and I am in the middle of that course. My stools have become regular and almost normal and burping and gas have decreased significantly. But the bad breath still continues. In fact, I think it has gotten worse because I can now smell it myself at times. I brush, floss and scrape my tongue after every meal. Do you have any suggestions as to what my next step should be to get rid of my bad breath? Any help would be appreciated.
Hi William,
The avenues I would investigate would be.
Mouthbreathing
Sleep issues and snoring
Post-nasal drip: https://www.drstevenlin.com/post-nasal-drip-bad-breath/
Your vitamin D blood levels (IBD often needs a higher dose)
IgG food intolerances
H. Pylori infection
The causes of bad breath can be multi-factorial, so don’t worry if you eliminate one and move on to the next.
Dr. Steven Lin
Hello Dr Lin,
I have had a dry throat on and off (enough to stop me speaking) for a good few months now, I recently also discovered a cavity in my mouth and in the last few weeks have started to get gum ulcer type things and pain that have a lifespan of around 5 days each. For the last 3 days I have suffered from diarrhea and a strange ache near my head and right ear. This is accompanied by a feeling of fullness in my throat and lumps that hurt when you press them under my jaw.
Which condition do you think I have?
Thanks!
Hello Dr Steven.
I’m Jeasan Santos. I have foul smelling breath like there is rotten flesh inside my body. People could smell it 10 meters away. My h. Pylori status is negative, been tested twice thru blood and stool. HIV status is nonreactive. My paranasal sinus xray is unremarkable. Chest Xray result is normal chest finding and esophagogram result is negative study. My abdominal ultrasound is normal. Also my CBC is normal. I don’t fell any pain inside my body but I do burping after eating. People around me touch or covering their noses. The worst things i experienced is that they spit infront of me and flies is always around me. Help me doc… I’m deppress and suicidal..
Hi Jeasan,
First of all, digestive bad breath is one of the less common causes of bad breath. If you can’t find the source and have investigated thoroughly I would look for other systems.
They are summarized in this article: https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/
The most common cause of bad breath (90%) is dental origin: https://www.drstevenlin.com/7-dental-problems-simple-test-bad-breath/
Testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You can also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Some natural remedies for bad breath that may assist: https://www.drstevenlin.com/13-ways-to-get-rid-of-bad-breath-naturally/
And finally, I think it’s important to take bad breath from a microbiome perspective: https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-mouthwash-really-cure-bad-breath-it-may-harm-the-microbiome/
I hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
I have recently realized that my bad breathe is coming from a place other than my mouth. I appreciate this article and the comments of others offering like me because it is giving me hope. I have many allergies: indoor, out door and several food. In addition to the bad breathe I also have a white coating on my tongue. It comes especially after I eat and it is part of the reason for my bad breathe. Any idea about this symptom?
Hi Yvette!
Try this article: https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/
The most common cause of bad breath (90%) is dental origin: https://www.drstevenlin.com/7-dental-problems-simple-test-bad-breath/
Testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You can also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Some natural remedies for bad breath that may assist: https://www.drstevenlin.com/13-ways-to-get-rid-of-bad-breath-naturally/
I hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
Hi, I’ve been battling with bad breath for yrars and up till now no solution. Can you help me fix this problem? Thanks.
Hi Yayah,
We are very sorry to hear that. Here is an article that explores all the known causes of bad breath beyond the mouth.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/
We also have testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You can also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
Hi my name is Angela,
i have been battling with this bad breathe for almost 2 years =, its like family dont like to yalk to me and say your breathe smells like rotten eggs or baby formula, its so depressing, what can i do to change it and live normal again.thanks
Hi Angela,
We are very sorry to hear your case. Here is an article that explores all the known causes of bad breath beyond the mouth. (https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/)
Testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You may also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
HI my name is Eze Christy. I have been battling with bad breath since 17yrs now. i have gone to the dental hospital and ENT doctor but no good result. last week i read your article i decided to buy tinidsol it reduced the bad breath but i was afraid of taking more of it cos i don’t know much about its side effect. i need your help i rely want to get out of this rotten smell that is coming out from my mouth. thanks in anticipation
Hi Eze,
We are very sorry to hear that. Here is an article that explores all the known causes of bad breath beyond the mouth.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/
We also have testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You can also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
https://www.drstevenlin.com
I was diagnosed with sibo 2 year ago and my body odor is worse each day. People can’t stand to be around me… I recently completed another round of XifAximin and the other antibiotics for hydrogen-methane sibo but my guess is my overgrowth must be really bad. The doctor doesn’t think the body odor is related to the sibo.. and wants to do other tests like (anorectal manometry Since I also have incomplete evacuation nowadays ) please advise
This is a very helpful article. I am suffering from stomach ache as well as a toothache at the moment. This is God send, thank you!!
Hi. My son who is 13 years old now, was born with 23 atresias (blockages) in his small intestine (mostly jejunal). He never complains of any symptoms like bloated, gas or diarrhea….probably because that’s all he knows (he poops twice a day watery/soft/sometimes formed a bit…always varies). He always has bacterial overgrowth…He ALWAYS tests positive with breath tests. He’s also been tested for H.pylori in endos (neg). A big challenge now is the breath scent and sometimes full body scent if he sweats a lot. It is affecting him socially and I would love to hear your advice on curing this scent problem. Breath scent smells a like sour milk but when he sweats out of body it’s more like rotten egg scent. The thought from doctors is food gets caught in narrowings in intestine where he had blockages, so bacteria grows. We’ve tried abx monthly rotations, we’ve tried it all. How can I get rid of this scent. It comes and goes. It will do wonders for his social life if you could help me with this….middle schoolers can be very mean! Newest solution is trying tablespoon apple cider vinegar 3xday…..do you have any other suggestions?
Hello Dr. Lin, very nice article. Could please give me a solution to my over 15 years suffering, am at the verge of committing suicide. I have this acidic feel in my mouth, which also has very sharp smell. I have taken all antibiotics the world can offer and visited several Dr.s but the problem still persist. The Dr.’s are fed up with me and am also fed up with life. Please help, do I have hope after over 15 years ?
Hi there,
Sorry to hear that. Here is an article that explores all the known causes of bad breath beyond the mouth.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/
Testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You can also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
hello Dr Lin ,I have bad breath with white coating on the surface of tongue, I used hydrogen peroxide but didn’t work,please what test should I go for
hi vaishnavi
i am a studying 4 th yr BDS i am suffering with bad breath since 6 yrs .my symptoms include abdominal cramps ,flatulence,burping,incomplete ejaculation of stools so i tend to go 3 to 4 times in the morning and after i eat breakfast. halitosis usually starts 2pm after my working day it becomes severe gradually ,i am suffering from bullying and humiliation in my college this is is causing anxiety issues in me i am not able to concentrate on my studies my close frnds and parents think I am overthinking everything plz give me a reply .plz help me get over with this pbrlm.my social and love life is under stress plz help me out i am losing my confidence .i feel i am going crazy .
I never knew that H. Pylori is one of the most common causes of bad breath from the digestive system. I am going to a gastroenterology clinic next week for this problem,. Thanks for the tips on bad breath stomach issues.
Dr Lin
How ca you get rid of rotten eggy smelling gas in my mouth please
Regards
Thulani Khuzwayo
cell 0658503663
Hi there,
Check Digestive Sources:
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
Even If I brush and floss really well, but then 1-3 hours later I eat anything the bad breath occurs.
I do have a lot of fillings, and maybe some very tiny “holes/gaps” but I assume if foot get stuck in there the bad smell won’t happen instantaneously. Could it be because of that the cause? Dentist fixes all teeth issues already. Thanks!
My cousin has bad breath and his stomach’s upset for a few days now. It was explained here that the bad breath may come from the digestive system especially when it smells like rotten egg. Moreover, it’s recommended to go to trusted stomach doctor when dealing with stomach problems.
Hi Gillian,
Exactly!
But if you can’t find the source and have investigated thoroughly I would look for other systems.
They are summarized in this article: https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/
The most common cause of bad breath (90%) is dental origin: https://www.drstevenlin.com/7-dental-problems-simple-test-bad-breath/
Testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You can also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Some natural remedies for bad breath that may assist: https://www.drstevenlin.com/13-ways-to-get-rid-of-bad-breath-naturally/
And finally, I think it’s important to take bad breath from a microbiome perspective: https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-mouthwash-really-cure-bad-breath-it-may-harm-the-microbiome/
I hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
Hi dr. Steven
I am suffering bad breath for almost 3years now. I went to different dentists but they are juat telling me i don’t have any problem in my teeth. And every night even i ate already my stomach is like always hungry and noisy specially when i lay. As if i didn’t eat.. Maybe it connected for having a bad breath. I hope you can help me because i am now becoming anti social because of this problem i have. How to cure it. Thank you so much. And more power…
Hi Marilou,
Digestive problems can be very persistent. If you had bad breath, I would suspect small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Checking your Vitamin D levels is also very important. You will also want to get checked for H.pylori infection (happens in both digestive system and mouth)
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Also have your IgG food intolerance test done if possible and check your vitamin D status.
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
Dr. Lin, my husband has had1/3 of his large bowel removed and is a severe diabetic now due to a medication error. He smells like feces all the time and it is very difficult to be around him. His feelings are so easily hurt, but it is really affecting our lives. Our little grandkids turn away from him and don’t want him to touch them. I understand because it is difficult for me to be close to him. Do you have any suggestions?
I’ve been suffering from bad breath for over 3 years. I have GERD, and had a from a severe acid reflux surgery back in 2017. I thought the foul smell from my mouth will go away after my doctor did the surgery, but it didn’t. What options do I have to get better!??
Hi Irene,
I would check for following:
1) Vitamin d status;
2) IgG food intolerances; and
3) H.pylori infection.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Here are some testing options for bad breath too. I’d suggest getting more information on your condition.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
Judy husband and I we suffer from them same bad breath, a breath smell like feces. already I used medication deal with constipation but bad breath is getting worse and worse.Any causes of this bad breath beside constipation?
Hi Mathemba,
Sorry to hear that. Here is an article that explores all the known causes of bad breath beyond the mouth.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/12-bad-breath-causes-you-need-to-know/
Testing options available: https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
You can also consider a probiotic regime: https://www.drstevenlin.com/probiotics-and-the-oral-microbiome-2/page/3/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com