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• Banish Bad Breath And Gum Disease!
• Bad Breath Cure Revealed
• The Bad Breath Report: Cure Bad Breath The Quick & Easy Way!

• Avoiding the Embarrassment of Bad Breath
• Dealing with Halitosis
• Stopping Bad Breath
• Bad Breath in Pets
• Halitosis Myths and Reality
• The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene
• Acid Reflux Disease and Bad Breath
• Occassional, Situational, and Chronic Bad Breath
• Bad Breath in Children
• Bad Breath and Radiation Therapy

Acid Reflux Disease and Bad Breath

Acid Reflux disease is a major cause of bad breath. Acid reflux disease is also called gastroesophageal reflux disease.  It is defined as mucosal damage produced by abnormal reflux in the esophagus.  This is mostly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and stomach.  Heartburn is a major symptom of acid reflux disease. Typical symptoms of acid reflux include coughing, body changes, burning chest pains, or nausea.  Other symptoms are sore throat, belching, pain during swallowing, sour taste in the mouth inflammation of gingival tissues and of course bad breath.

The symptoms of acid reflux and indigestion are varied.  While most forms of halitosis are caused by anaerobic bacteria growing out of control in the mouth, bad breath caused by indigestion is quite different.

Indigestion is a condition that is frequently caused by eating too fast, especially by eating high-fat foods. Indigestion is also caused by an excessive accumulation of acid in the stomach, and the overconsumption of alcohol.   The foul odor caused by indigestion is in reality the acid from the stomach and the digestive system.  The acid from the stomach and the digestive system comes up into the mouth and causes acrid smelling, bad breath.  The bad breath caused by acid reflux is unlike other forms of halitosis.   The cause of acid reflux is a relaxing of a portion of the throat.  This portion of the throat is called the Lowe Esophagea Sphincter.  The Lowe Esophagea Sphincter or LES normally remains closed to prevent stomach fluids from reaching the throat.  For someone who has acid reflux, this is not the case and causes a serious problem.  In the case of those suffering from the ailment, the LES relaxes and allows acid to come into the oral cavity and causes a severe form of bad breath.

Bad breath caused by Acid Reflux and traditional bad breath share a lot of similarities.   Both the severity of the bad breath and odor can be linked to certain foods.  Stress and the inflammation of germs located in the mouth are some things that cause bad breath.

In order to stop bad breath associated with acid reflux a person must stop consuming certain foods and drinks.  It will probably be beneficial to keep a log of the foods one consumes in order to pinpoint what could be causing bad breath.  Consuming chocolate, fatty foods and eating foods that contain tomatoes as a main ingredient can cause bad breath.  Alcohol and caffeinated products should be avoided.

Remember that the biggest problem with acid reflux is not the bad breath associated with it.  Acid reflux is a serious disease that could cause long term and serious damage.  There are various treatments available for acid reflux. Proton pump inhibitors are most effective in reducing acid secretion.  Antacids before meals can also reduce acidity in the body.   A substance known as Alginic acid may coat the stomach as well and increase the ph while decreasing reflux.  Sucralfate is also useful in helping heal and prevent esophageal damage.  It must be taken several times a day.  It should be taken two hours apart from meal and medications.

It is important to see a doctor if you are having problems with bad breath associated with Acid Reflux.