Many people with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), more commonly known as acid reflux disease, report having bad breath.  It was not until recently, however, that a connection between the two became known.  A recently published study has confirmed this correlation, though.  While not a lot is known about how to combat the bad breath stemming from GERD, the following is a brief overview the connection and some steps that sufferers can take.

The Connection

A source of bad breath in relation to acid reflux disease has been found to be protein pump inhibitors (PPI’s).  PPI’s, a common medicinal treatment against GERD, have been linked to excessive bacterial growth in the body.  The bacterial growth has been identified as the root source of halitosis.

This connection, though, does not always appear.  Only about 39% of the people studied exhibited bad breath.  Additionally, someone who has halitosis does not necessarily suffer from acid reflux disease.  It very well could be an indicator though.  Sometimes, no other visible signs of the condition appear, causing people to be baffled when informed by doctors that they suffer from GERD.

What to Do

Unfortunately, there are no direct treatments for combating the bacteria that causes bad breath.  The connection itself is only recently discovered, offering little time for the study and development of a treatment.  Until one arrives, it is best to follow some more universal guidelines.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Good Oral Hygiene – This is an obvious statement, but one that was never more applicable than in this situation.  Due to the compounding effect of bacteria with poor hygiene, it is important to have better habits than the average person.  This means brushing your teeth at least 2 times a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing regularly, and replacing your toothbrush every month.  It is also important to brush your tongue, a source of significant bacteria.

See Your Dentist – See your dentist regularly to get your teeth and gums professionally cleaned.  The excessive growth of bacteria can spread into your mouth, compounding bad breath. 

Use Mouthwash – It is also important to use mouthwash on a regular basis.  This will help to kill off bacteria before it can become too developed.  Be sure to get germ-killing mouthwash like Listerine. 

No Smoking – Don’t smoke if you can at all help it.  Not only will this worsen your breath; it is bad for your acid reflux disease symptoms as well as your overall health.

Stay Hydrated - Make sure to drink plenty of water as this will help to regularly flush bacteria.

It is true to that not very much is yet known about how to fight untreated GERD and halitosis.  But since a scientific connection has been recently established, look for a treatment to be unveiled in the not-too-distant future.  Until then, utilizing the aforementioned techniques can help.

For a natural approach to combating bad breath, probiotics have shown themselves to be effective. Probiotics can help to relieve gas, bloating, indigestion and halitosis.

Primal Defense™ is a whole food probiotic blend, which customers have given 4.5 out of 5 – you can read their reviews here: Primal Defense™

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