There’s nothing more embarrassing than leaning in for a conversation, only to realize your breath may not be all that fresh. While most people attribute bad breath to food or poor dental hygiene, bad breath causes often dig even deeper sometimes to the gut. That’s right, bad breath will frequently have causes associated with your digestive tract. If you’re chewing mint after mint and nothing seems to work, it’s time to get to the bottom of it.
Let’s explore the link between gut health and that bothersome bad breath, and see what your body is trying to tell you.
The Connection Between Your Breath and Your Gut: More Than You Would Think
Try to envision this; you brush your teeth two times a day, you floss, your use of mouthwash is bulletproof and yet you still suffer from less than pleasant dragon breath…what’s going on?
Your gut microbiome may be causing the problem. All of the gut bacteria (good and bad) serve an important function in digesting food. If you have an imbalance of good to bad bacteria you may suffer from acid reflux, indigestion, or bloating; all conditions which can rise up from your stomach and have an impact on your breath. When food is subjected to improper digestion or bacteria use up motility and stimulates the stomach capacity, fermentation can occur and, with it, foul smelling gases. Gases may move down the esophagus to the mouth, producing unpleasant odors, during the ejection process.
In terms of bad breath, SIBO is one of the less familiar reasons for having bad breath.When the bacteria that were initially found in the large intestine migrate to the The small intestine becomes the home for these bacteria, leading to a condition known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO. This can give rise to gas, swelling, and bad breath.
Signs the Gut Could Be the Problem
Let’s say you’ve switched toothpaste, brushed more often and reduced your coffee intake with no relief. That’s an indication your breathing difficulties might be related to a larger issue.
Here are some signs that your bad breath is related to your gut:
- Chronic bloating and gas
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Reflux or heartburn
- White patches on the tongue
These complaints frequently point to an internal gastrointestinal process. Bad breath culprits flourish best when the gut poorly absorbs nutrients or when dangerous bacteria overrun and support them.
Correcting The Breath: Treating the Problem, Not the Symptoms
Consider your gut to be the core of your body; if it is malfunctioning, everything else will be jittery. So, if you want to truly correct the breath, that means addressing what is happening inside the body.
Consider these suggestions first:
Yogurt: Probiotic-containing foods and supplements, such as kefir, kimchi, and yogurt, should be included to ensure a diverse range of probiotics.
Bananas, oats, and asparagus: Consuming foods that are high in dietary fiber such as these can lead to the proliferation of good bacteria. These foods carry prebiotics.
Hydration: Keeping the body hydrated ensures efficient toxin purging and keeps all systems, specifically the digestive system, well functioning.
Fuels for harmful bacteria to gut: Intake of sugar, sweeteners, and any form of processed food should be avoided as these take harmful bacteria as a source of sustenance.
Yogurt, berries, honey and nuts serve as probiotics, whole milk acts as beneficial fats. Improving and maintaining gut health can prevent the feeling of bloating while simultaneously boosting an individual’s mood.
Wrap Up: Breathe Easy with Just Better Gut Health
Bad breath isn’t just a cosmetic concern. Bad breath is a whisper (or perhaps a scream!) from your gut that things may be amiss. By working on your gut health, you are not just masking the odor, you are getting rid of the source.
So next time you think about using a mint, pause and think what’s going on inside? Identifying and resolving the underlying causes of bad breath will result in fresher breath, improved digestion, and overall better health.
Begin with your gut, and the rest will follow!