Why does h pylori cause bad breath

Scientists recently discovered that infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori , which is carried by over 90 per cent of people in the developing world and 20 to 80 per cent of people in the developed world, was a possible cause of peptic ulcers and gastric cancers.

More recent research has also suggested that the human mouth, which is home to over different species of bacteria some of which cause disease , is a possible reservoir for H. Suzuki explained that bad breath or halitosis is common in humans and is mostly caused by gum disease, tongue debris, poor oral hygiene and badly fitted fillings they trap bacteria.

Doctors often measure the levels of these compounds to diagnose the problem. Suzuki and colleagues decided to investigate the prevalence of H. For the study, the researchers did DNA scans of saliva taken from Japanese people; had actual bad breath or halitosis and 75 did not. None showed any signs of stomach illnesses.

They found H. Luckily, antibiotics offer an effective treatment to eliminate the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. There is generally conflicting information that ulcers themselves cause bad breath, since H.

However, the above study showed that patients with H. If you have bad breath and ulcers, check with your doctor to see if they're related. Another cause of bad breath from the stomach is gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This condition is caused by acid coming back up the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat.

It can also cause tooth erosion due to the acid in your stomach carrying into the mouth and weakening your teeth. Damage to the throat and oral structures may also allow certain bacteria to grow in the mouth. Patients with GERD will have other symptoms as well, and should seek treatment separate from dental-related issues. Those who suspect they have GERD should meet with a physician for an evaluation and test for reflux disease.

With proper treatment, you can usually say goodbye to your bad breath. Many people who think they have bad breath actually don't. Although you can test for the presence of sulfur, the dentist usually makes the evaluation based on a sniff test.

Typically, exposure to the bacteria occurs in childhood; although it is often present without symptoms, and many may not even know that they have an infection. Functional dyspepsia FD is a chronic disorder of sensation and movement peristalsis in the upper digestive tract. Peristalsis is the normal downward pumping and squeezing of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine, which begins after swallowing.

We call this disorder functional because there are no observable or measurable structural abnormalities found to explain persistent symptoms.

We hope to discover the role of the mouth in transmitting H. Materials provided by Society for General Microbiology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Science News. Journal Reference : Suzuki et al. Detection of Helicobacter pylori DNA in the saliva of patients complaining of halitosis.