Bad breath is something many of us are conscious of avoiding if possible. Not eating certain foods and regularly brushing our teeth are both ways to best prevent halitosis.
However, if you’re still experiencing lingering bad breath despite sticking to these things, there could be something else at play.
One expert warned that a specific smell on your breath could signal various health issues, which should raise alarm bells.
Speaking with Express.co.uk , gut health expert Chris Dubberley, from Incontinence Shop, explained that a persistent “pungent egg breath” could be more than just bad oral hygiene.
More specifically it might be a red flag for serious gastrointestinal disorders.
He said: “If you notice a persistent pungent egg smell from your breath, then it might be more than a minor inconvenience.”
According to Chris, this “distinct” odour is often caused by hydrogen sulphide, which is a gas produced by specific bacteria in your gut.
“High levels of hydrogen sulphide in the gut can be indicative of underlying health issues, such as inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome,” he continued.
“This can damage the cells in the colon and interfere with the energy utilisation in gut cells, driving inflammation and discomfort.”
He revealed more about what actually causes the smell.
Chris said: “Regular bad breath can be more than poor oral hygiene; it could signal issues deeper within the gastrointestinal system.
“Anaerobic bacteria on the back of the tongue and throat produce this smell as they break down proteins, an activity that can intensify when you’re not in optimal health.
“When these bacteria are unable to effectively break down proteins due to health complications, distinctive chemical smells such as hydrogen sulphide result, hinting at potential problems in gut function and overall health.”
If you are unsure from sniffing your breath there is another way to see if it smells.
Chris said: “A simple at-home test to check for bad breath is to lick the inside of your wrist, let it dry for a moment, and then sniff it.
“If it has a foul smell, it could be a sign of high levels of hydrogen sulphide, indicative of deeper health issues.”
The NHS lists the main symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease as:
- Diarrhoea that lasts longer than four weeks
- Tummy pain
- Blood or mucus (clear slime) in your poo
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Feeling tired all the time
- Losing weight without trying.
If you experience these symptoms you should speak to your GP.
However, you should call 999 or go to A&E if:
- You have severe tummy pain
- You’re bleeding non-stop from your bottom
- There’s a lot of blood, for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots
- You’re vomiting blood or poo, or your sick looks like coffee grounds or soil.
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can include:
- Stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo
- Bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen
- Diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly
- Constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty your bowels fully.
Other causes of bad breath can include gum disease, a tooth infection, tonsillitis, smoking, not eating enough and diabetes.