Bad breath from acid reflux is a natural reaction to eating foods that don't digest properly, and then back up into the esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Acid reflux is generally caused by what foods you eat and by overeating. There are several things you can do to cure bad breath that is a result of acid reflux.
Step 1
Change your eating habits by eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This will reduce the incidences of reflux backing up into the esophagus and causing bad breath.
Step 2
Chew food thoroughly, utilizing the digestive action of saliva to begin the breakdown process. When digestion is initiated by mixing saliva with food, it helps break down the food faster. This eliminates the possibility of putrefaction in the stomach, causing reflux and odors to back up into the esophagus and mouth.
Step 3
Dr. Theodore A. Baroody explains in his book, "Alkalize or Die", that better digestion may be encouraged by eating foods that soothe the stomach--protecting against reflux. (See References 1) Many times, bad breath can be prevented with improved digestion. Foods such as berries, leafy green vegetables, sweet potatoes, honey, artichokes, avocados and alkaline grains (such as amaranth and quinoa) digest more easily. This lessens putrefaction in the stomach, with less chance of regurgitation into the mouth.
Step 4
Reduce or eliminate foods that trigger reflux; such as milk, saturated fats, hot peppers, spicy foods, heavy foods (meat, cheeses and fast foods), suggests the Mayo Clinic. These foods increase the incidence of reflux with regurgitation into the mouth, which may contribute to bad breath.
Step 5
Drink licorice root tea. Licorice is known to sweeten the breath and it also soothes the stomach and esophageal lining, thus, protecting against reflux.
Step 6
Include fresh mint and basil in your meals, and chew on a mint leaf now and then. Additionally, make a basil tea by mixing one cup of boiling water with three basil leaves. Allow it to steep, and remove the leaves. Sip on this throughout the day to clear the pallet.
Step 7
Alkalize your system and alter the pH of your stomach by adding apple cider vinegar to your diet, suggests Baroody. Although an acid, apple cider vinegar has the ability to stimulate digestive juices and neutralize acids in the stomach and body, contributing to a slight alteration in the pH, making it more alkaline. When the system leans toward being alkaline, there is a less likelihood that acid reflux will occur, and breath will remain fresh.
Step 8
Chew chlorophyll tablets made to sweeten the breath. Chlorophyll may also help to promote better digestion, reducing reflux. These are available in health food stores. Follow directions on the bottle.
Things You'll Need
- Berries
- Leafy green vegetables
- Sweet potatoes
- Honey
- Artichokes
- Avocados
- Alkaline grains
- Chlorophyll
- Licorice tea
- Mint leaves
- Basil leaves
- Apple cider vinegar
References
- "Alkalinize or Die", Dr. Theodore A. Baroody, 1991
- Mayo Clinic: Heartburn
- Herbs2000.com: Basil
