What is bad breath from the back of the mouth a sign of?
Find out why bad breath from the gut or back of the mouth may warrant a visit to a gastrointestinal clinic.
What is bad breath from the back of the mouth a sign of?
Find out why bad breath from the gut or back of the mouth may warrant a visit to a gastrointestinal clinic.
Could bad breath from the back of the mouth signal an illness?
Bad breath may be caused by many things; from the build-up of bacteria in the mouth to poor oral hygiene, which is called halitosis.
Bad breath may not always originate from the mouth, however—the source of bad breath may be coming from deeper inside the body.
While bad breath from the gut may be mistaken for halitosis, it may be a sign of an underlying gastrointestinal condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
What causes bad breath at the back of the mouth?
Several gastrointestinal conditions may be linked to bad breath from the gut or back of the mouth.
GORD
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a disease caused by the gastrointestinal tract not being able to keep content from the stomach out of the oesophagus. This happens when a circular muscle in the oesophagus called the lower oesophageal sphincter fails to close properly, allowing stomach acid to back up into the oesophagus.
This can cause bad breath.
Bowel obstruction
This is a serious condition where the intestines become blocked.
The blockage may be caused by a foreign object getting lodged in the intestines or the growth of tumours. When the intestines become blocked, food in the intestines and stomach cannot move along the digestive tract, causing it to remain in the intestines until they start to ferment, producing an unpleasant smell.
In this case, a patient’s breath may carry a faecal smell.
Hepatic Foetor
This condition causes a patient’s breath to have a distinct smell of garlic and rotten eggs.
Hepatic Foetor may indicate that the patient is at the last stages of liver failure. If the bad-smelling breath is accompanied by certain symptoms, like yellow skin or a bloated stomach, immediate medical attention may be required.
Should you visit a gut clinic?
While bad breath may be caused by problems related to oral hygiene or simply consuming certain kinds of food, bad breath from the back of the mouth or bad breath from the stomach may indicate a more serious health problem.
If you have persistent bad breath, even after taking measures to get rid of it, consult gastrointestinal specialists to identify the source of this issue.
Visit the Sydney Gut Clinic
At the Sydney Gut Clinic, our experienced team of gastrointestinal specialists are trained to identify and treat different gastrointestinal conditions.
If you suffer from bad breath and none of the usual treatments works, schedule an appointment and we will work towards a diagnosis and treatment plan for you.
Our clinic is located in the Alexandria Specialist Day Hospital.
Our specialists
Dr Suhirdan Vivekanandarajah
Dr. Suhirdan leads the team at Sydney Gut Clinic, bringing a combination of experience, excellence, and dedication. He is a highly trained Interventional Gastroenterologist,
Dr Andrew Kim
Dr Andrew Kim is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, he undertook his physician and advanced gastroenterology training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and completed a fellowship in (IBD) at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
Dr Rohan Gett
Having graduated with honours from the University of New South Wales, he also lays claim to an internship and residency at the reputed Concord Hospital. Trained, thereafter, in general surgery at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Dr Gett ...
Dr Fei Wen Chen
Dr Chen is a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist with special interest in managing patients with chronic liver disease of various aetiology, as well as general gastroenterology and endoscopy.
Sviatlana Starr
Sviatlana Starr is an expert in gut-directed hypnotherapy. She has been professionally helping people with different functional gut disorders through gut-directed hypnotherapy sessions since 2015.
Dr Allison Wong
Allison’s special interests include perioperative medicine, simulation and teaching, and regional anaesthesia.
Dr Arjuna ‘Arj’ Nagendra
Dr Nagendra is currently a consultant at Prince of Wales Hospital where he is involved with teaching anaesthetic trainees, particularly in his areas of clinical interest - airway surgery and neurovascular procedures.
Dr Katherine Lee
Dr Katherine Lee clinical interests include anaesthesia for neurosurgery, orthopaedic and trauma, endoscopy, plastic and reconstructive, bariatric and obstetric and gynaecological surgery.
Dr Ngaroma (Roma) Steele
Dr Ngaroma (Roma) Steele interests include Regional Anaesthesia, Vascular Surgery and Trauma.
Antoinette Le Busque
As the Nurse Practitioner Sydney Gut Clinic, Antoinette works collaboratively as part of the interdisciplinary team.
Dr. Mudar Zand Irani
Dr. Mudar Zand Irani is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with special interest and expertise in gastrointestinal motility disorders, advanced endoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasound.
Dr Nicholas Kortt
Dr Nicholas Kortt is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with extensive experience in general gastroenterology, hepatology, and advanced endoscopy.
Dr Mark Ghali
Dr Mark Ghali is a gastroenterologist and hepatologist providing comprehensive care for all general gastrointestinal and liver conditions.
Dr Beatrice Brennan
Dr Beatrice Brennan is a female gastroenterologist and hepatologist who divides her time between working as a consultant gastroenterologist and in public health.
Jodie Hicks
Jodie is a consultant dietitian with specialised expertise in gut health, gastrointestinal conditions, and bariatric and metabolic surgery.
FAQ
How can I get rid of bad breath from the stomach?
- Eat sugar-free yoghurt
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
Can bad breath be caused by the stomach?
Sometimes, bad breath from the back of the mouth may originate from the stomach. Gastrointestinal conditions in the stomach, such as acid reflux and ulcers might cause bad breath.
What are natural remedies for bad breath from the stomach?
- Chew on cloves—avoids using clove oil or powder because they’re too strong.
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater for at least 30 seconds.
- Rinse your mouth apple cider vinegar
Only attempt these after speaking with a gastrointestinal specialist.
Can an unhealthy gut cause bad breath?
Yes, it can. In many cases, bad breath from the back of the mouth may be a sign of an underlying gastrointestinal issue.
Can bad breath from the stomach be cured?
Bad breath may be cured if the underlying cause is diagnosed and treated. Whether bad breath can be permanently cured or not depends on the underlying cause.
When should I see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if you experience other medical conditions along with bad breath from the back of the mouth, like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, vomiting, fever or diarrhoea.
Consult our gastrointestinal specialists for the diagnosis and treatment of bad breath
Sydney Gut Clinic services are only available to patients in Australia.