Could an Ancient Ulcer Bug Be Causing Your Bad Breath?

It seems awfully unfair (in my opinion) that many people who suffer from bad breath are automatically blamed for poor oral hygiene.

It's hard enough having a bad breath problem, and waiting -- literally, with bated breath -- for that hint of a negative social reaction every time you start a bit of small talk. Very likely, anyone who suffers from this mortifying social condition has already thought a lot about how to keep their mouth clean.

The issue seems to be, some people can simply brush their teeth twice a day, floss occasionally, and be fine. Others, for reasons we don't understand very well yet, seem to need much more dramatic steps to keep that odor in check.

A Problem that Raises Some Questions
Even if you're one of the latter, it's not the end of the world. As long as you avoid the worst gaffes in trying to fix your problem (such as popping sugary mints or flooding your mouth with standard, alcohol-based mouthwash) and take extra steps towards self-care -- like religiously scraping your tongue, for example -- you'll probably get a handle on it. There are specialized breath mints to neutralize those VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds) that love to cling to the back of your tongue, and thoughtfully-formulated alcohol-free mouthwashes that do the same. Even a rinse of diluted hydrogen peroxide can help a lot, as can several fresh herbs and teas.

But this doesn't answer the question: why you? For some people, the problem may go deep, and answer may involve a committed detoxification routine. For others, answer may be novel: a tricky little bacteria known as H. pylori.

A Complex Stomach Bug With a Checkered Past
H. pylori creates a lot of consternation. It's often cast as a villian. But the more complicated truth is, this is a bacteria that's been with the human race so long, some researchers count it among our normal intestinal flora. A human host infected at an early age may even enjoy greater resistance to asthma, allergies, and even diabetes than others, not to mention those modern intestinal diseases we're seeing so much more of now, like GERD. But H. pylori is implicated in bad things, too, like stomach cancer and ulcers.

Recently, researchers have discovered that H. pylori can live in the mouth, not just the stomach. And when it's found there, there can be a correlation with serious halitosis, and periodontal disease. Some studies found a dramatic reduction in both when the patient was successfully treated for their H. pylori infection.

Does this mean you should rush to your doctor and beg for an H. pylori test right now? Not necessarily. For one thing, this infection is hard to treat, and the triple therapy required is a serious matter. Not all doctors are familiar with the complicated protocol. What's more, H. pylori sufferers sometimes see the infection return, even after successful treatment. Plus, the research is just getting started on the relationship between H. pylori and halitosis. Eventually, a gentler treatment might be found.

In the meantime, you may want to look into mastic gum, made of resin that some studies (but not in others) found to discourage both H. pylori and S. mutans, another nasty bacteria that contributes to tooth decay. And continue with those painstaking efforts toward better oral hygiene that you're doubtless already making.

Just remember: it wasn't long ago that patients with ulcers were told to "rest" and "avoid spicy foods." Now we know that H. pylori is the cause. Perhaps it won't be long until we have a better grip on the causes of persistent bad breath, too. In the meantime, be sure to be gentle with yourself.