Acid Reflux And Bad Breath

It is not unusual for a person to suffer both acid reflux and bad breath as the stomach acid flowing back to the esophagus often carries with it the odor of the stomach acids that reach all the way up into the throat.

Of course bad breath can also be caused by the foods we eat such as hot and spicy foods, the chemicals in the spices will enter the blood stream. As the blood passes through the lungs and is exchanged for oxygenated air, the person’s breath will reflect the odor leaving the blood stream. So some of the same foods may be causing both acid reflux and bad breath. Hence, a change of diet is important to alleviate both problems.

Chronic acid reflux and persistent indigestion can cause damage and burn the lining of the esophagus, it can also cause pain in the ears as well as damage to the voice box and upper larynx.

Brushing And Flossing Not Always Effective

A person suffering from acid reflux and bad breath will find that consistent brushing and flossing may not help with the bad odor. While contributing causes include lack of saliva activity such as morning breath and many people suffer morning breath as a result of indigestion.

When a person sleeps, chances are they are lying flat, and contents of the stomach can slip upwards through the lower esophagus sphincter muscle. Allowing the acid to rise back up causes bad breath and acid reflux. Elevating the upper torso when lying down can help to keep contents in the stomach where it belongs.

If you suffer a feeling of acid rising in your throat, even when not accompanied by a burning sensation, it is an indication that acid reflux is in motion. Even if the acid reflux symptoms disappear, you may still suffer bad breath. To determine if you have bad breath, lightly lick the inside of your wrist and allow it to dry for a few seconds. If the spot has an odor once dry, then bad breath is present.