Unpleasant sour breath odor: why it occurs and how to get rid of it

The problem of bad breath is often the cause of constant discomfort, complexes and even limited communication with people around you. But few people realize that sour breath can be a consequence of some diseases, sometimes quite serious ones. How to recognize the disease? Is sour breath always an unfavorable sign?

Causes sour breath

For most people, a sour smell is one of the manifestations of a pathology of the digestive system, namely:

• gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer;
• esophageal reflux disease;
• cardiospasm (achalasia of the cardia);
• hyperacid gastritis, etc.

In addition to digestive problems, a sour smell can be caused by dental problems, such as hidden caries or periodontitis.

However, sour breath is not always considered a manifestation of a serious pathology. Quite often, we ourselves are to blame for our own problems - including the problem of unpleasant odor. There are certain risk factors that contribute to the appearance of a sour odor: if these causes are eliminated, the odor will disappear on its own.

Risk factors

Let us list the main risk factors:

• A sudden transition to a strict diet or fasting. In this case, the sour smell is the result of a sharp decrease in blood glucose levels and increased production of ketones, which are released with exhaled air.
• Taking medications that cause dry mouth or dysbacteriosis. These include hormones, diuretics, antibiotics, allergy medications, and antidepressants.
• Bad habits – especially smoking and alcohol abuse.
• Constant stress, overexertion, a state of constant fear or anxiety.

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Pathogenesis

Most often, the appearance of a sour smell is explained by problems with the digestive organs, which is a good reason to visit a doctor. Diseases that can cause this symptom are quite serious, and you should not delay their diagnosis and treatment.

A sour smell often appears together with a sour taste, which is considered a clear sign of a violation of gastric acidity: acid enters the oral cavity through the esophagus.

If a sour smell from the mouth is combined with thirst, dry skin and mucous membranes, then the following conditions can be suspected:

• metabolic disorders (you need to see an endocrinologist);
• violations of drinking regime and water balance (you need to drink enough water).

In addition, a sour smell can be disturbing during pregnancy, which is associated with a sharp change in hormonal levels and the pressure of the growing uterus on the digestive organs.

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Symptoms sour breath

Sour breath in most cases indicates diseases of the digestive system - ulcers, gastritis and some other pathologies. Moreover, the appearance of an unpleasant odor is almost always accompanied by other signs of such pathologies. These can be pain in the stomach, periodic nausea, sour belching, fatigue, alternating constipation and diarrhea.

The appearance of a sour smell can also be caused by diseases of the oral cavity - for example, gingivitis, caries, periodontitis. Additional signs of the listed diseases are considered to be bleeding and redness of the mucous membrane, toothache, looseness and hypersensitivity of teeth, frequent inflammation of the gums, abscesses.

If we consider dental causes more broadly, one of the rare causes of sour breath is the installation of metal crowns, which are prone to oxidation. Such crowns, when in contact with certain foods, can oxidize and cause an unpleasant odor.

First signs

It is the unpleasant sour smell coming from the mouth that is the first sign of pathology. The smell may be constant or appear periodically - in some patients it occurs on an empty stomach or immediately after eating.

One of the important symptoms is that even thorough cleaning of teeth with the use of fresheners and mouth rinses does not help to eliminate the unpleasant odor, or eliminates it only for a short time.

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The smell of sour milk from the mouth

A distinct smell of sour milk from the mouth is in most cases a consequence of nutritional errors. For example, if a person adheres to a diet with increased consumption of protein products, and at the same time eats few carbohydrates, then the body experiences considerable stress, which manifests itself in the form of an unpleasant smell of sour milk from the mouth.

Neither thorough brushing of teeth nor additional rinsing of the oral cavity will be able to correct this situation. The smell will normalize only if you balance your diet and consume a sufficient amount of complex carbohydrates.

The smell of sauerkraut from the mouth

Sometimes people complain about the smell of sauerkraut from their mouth, despite the fact that they have not eaten cabbage. This symptom may accompany diseases associated with metabolic disorders - this may be obesity, lipid metabolism disorders, etc.

In order to clarify the nature of the pathology, it is necessary to undergo a complete diagnostic examination by an endocrinologist.

Sour breath in adults

The main provocateurs of the appearance of a sour smell in an adult are anaerobic microbes - that is, bacteria that live and reproduce without the presence of oxygen. Such microbes can live closer to the root of the tongue, on the surface and in the folds of the tonsils, in the nasopharynx. The main function of such microorganisms is to break down proteins that come with food.

When the bacterial balance is disturbed, microbes may not do their job properly, which leads to the appearance of a specific odor from the mouth.

In other cases, a sour smell may be the result of problems with the stomach.

Sour breath in a child

The smell of acid from a child's mouth can be observed in the following painful conditions:

• for acute respiratory viral infections or fungal infections of the oral mucosa;
• in case of digestive system disorders;
• for helminthiasis;
• in case of metabolic disorders.

A consultation with a pediatrician will help clarify the situation, because in addition to the appearance of an unpleasant odor, the child will definitely have other symptoms that will help determine the presence of pathology.

Sour smell from the mouth of a baby

The appearance of a sour smell in a baby often makes parents worry - is everything okay with the child? Sometimes there may not be serious reasons for such concern: the baby's digestive system is simply not yet perfect, and it is difficult for the child's body to digest some food ingredients.

If such a child feeds exclusively on mother's milk, then she should carefully review her diet.

If the baby is bottle-fed, you can try changing the formula - perhaps it is too heavy for the baby.

Additional symptoms such as vomiting, frequent loose stools (or, conversely, constipation), frequent colic and bloating should be a good reason to visit a pediatrician.

Complications and consequences

Sour breath, first of all, creates a social barrier for its owner. The unpleasant smell negatively affects the quality of life, and sometimes even leads to depression and isolation.

As for the consequences for health, everything depends on what caused the sour smell from the mouth. Only on this basis can we judge the seriousness of the disease and the possibility of further complications.

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Diagnostics sour breath

You can determine the cause of sour breath and clarify its origin (oral or related to diseases of internal organs) using simple tests:

• a test in which a small amount of plaque is scraped off the back of the tongue and its smell is assessed;
• test to assess the smell of plaque removed from interdental spaces;
• Wrist test: A small amount of saliva is applied to the hand and after a few seconds the presence of odor is assessed.

The tests allow you to determine the intensity of the smell by assessing the content of volatile compounds in exhaled air and saliva. 24 hours before taking the tests, you must stop taking antibiotics, avoid spicy and smoked foods, do not brush your teeth, and do not use mouth fresheners.

Additionally, you should take a blood sugar test.

If there is a suspicion that the sour smell from the mouth is caused by diseases of the internal organs or metabolic disorders, then the appropriate instrumental diagnostics are prescribed:

• fibrogastroscopy;
• Ultrasound of abdominal organs;
• chest x-ray;
• gastroduodenoscopy;
• colonoscopy.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is carried out between the following diseases:

• dental pathologies (gingivitis, periodontitis, periodontosis, candidiasis of the oral mucosa);
• gastrointestinal pathologies (gastritis with high acidity, peptic ulcer, reflux esophagitis);
• pathologies of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, water-electrolyte metabolism disorders).

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Treatment sour breath

In order to get rid of sour breath, you need to determine the cause of its appearance and direct treatment to eliminate the underlying pathology (diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, ENT organs, metabolic disorders, etc.).

It is essential to make an appointment with a dentist: to treat diseased teeth, gums, remove tartar, etc.

The next step should be to stabilize the digestive system. You need to review your food preferences, increase the proportion of raw plant products in your diet, and reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods and sweets.

It is imperative to give up cigarettes and alcoholic drinks, as well as the habit of overeating at night.

You can try to eliminate the sour smell in the following ways:

• chew a few coffee beans or anise seeds;
• rinse your mouth with antiseptics - you can use Chlorhexidine or Triclosan, or special mouth fresheners;
• Chew some refreshing gum, but not more than 10-15 minutes.

Medicines

You can reduce the severity of sour breath by using antiseptic medications:

• Triclosan is a phenol with a strong antibacterial effect. Triclosan neutralizes yeast fungi, inhibits the activity of gram (+) and gram (-) microorganisms, and has a detrimental effect on other types of microbes. Frequent use of Triclosan may cause tartar deposits.
• Chlorhexidine is used in a 0.05% dilution. Chlorhexidine is used to rinse the mouth twice a day: in the morning and at night. Important: rinsing should last at least 1 minute.
• Cetylpyridine is an antimicrobial drug that is often used in ENT practice. Cetylpyridine in combination with an equal amount of olive oil gives a good effect.
• If the sour smell is associated with a digestive disorder, the doctor may recommend the use of the following medications:
• Phosphalugel - for increased acidity of gastric juice, take 1-2 sachets up to 3 times a day, after meals and before bedtime. Taking the drug in large quantities can lead to constipation.
• Creon is used for chronic pathologies of the digestive system, in individually selected dosages. Side effects during treatment with the drug occur rarely and are expressed in dyspepsia or an allergic reaction.
• Almagel is an antacid that is taken 1-2 teaspoons half an hour before meals and at night. Long-term use of the drug (more than 2 weeks) can lead to constipation and drowsiness.
• Rennie is an antacid and gastroprotective agent. 1-2 tablets are kept in the oral cavity until completely dissolved. The maximum daily dose of the drug is 16 tablets. Frequent or prolonged use of Rennie can lead to bowel disorder and hypercalcemia.

Vitamins

In order for your breath to always remain fresh and clean, your body needs vitamins:

• Vitamin A ensures stable function of the salivary glands, strengthens gums and teeth.
• B vitamins are excellent preventatives for tooth decay and gum disease.
• Ascorbic acid strengthens gum tissue, prevents the formation of dental plaque and the development of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
• Vitamin E strengthens periodontal and bone tissue.
• Vitamin K improves the absorption of calcium and vitamin D, eliminates bleeding gums.
• Vitamin PP prevents the development of an inflammatory reaction in the oral cavity.
• Vitamin D is responsible for the quality of bone tissue, for the formation of dentin and enamel layers.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy is rarely used to eliminate sour breath: before resorting to this method of treatment, it is necessary to make sure that there are no acute inflammatory processes in the body. If this is not taken into account, unforeseen complications may arise.

Physiotherapy procedures will help improve tissue nutrition in the ENT system, strengthen local immunity, and stop the proliferation and development of most pathogenic anaerobic bacteria.

Most often, the following procedures are used for sour breath:

• ultrasound;
• electrophoresis with medications;
• electromagnetic rays;
• phototherapy.

The choice of an effective procedure directly depends on the underlying cause of the sour smell, so this issue is decided by the doctor after making a final diagnosis.

Folk remedies

Dried cloves can help with sour breath. The benefit lies in the antiseptic properties of the plant - just put 1-2 cloves in your mouth and chew for a few minutes, then spit them out. Clove tea works in a similar way. To prepare it, take half a teaspoon of green tea and 2-3 cloves, pour boiling water over them and leave for 5 minutes. Drink like regular tea.

Parsley is good at getting rid of sour odors – chew it for a few minutes when an unpleasant odor appears. If you don’t have parsley at hand, you can chew a few pine needles or fennel seeds.

Many people find that a regular green apple helps them a lot – it should be eaten on an empty stomach when unpleasant acid appears in the exhaled air.

Herbal treatment

Rinsing the mouth with herbal infusions and decoctions has a good effect. For example, you can use an infusion of alder leaves: 50 g of dried leaves are poured with 200 ml of boiling water and infused for half an hour.

As an alternative to alder leaves, you can use mint leaves, eucalyptus leaves, or oak bark.

If the sour smell from the mouth is definitely associated with improper functioning of the digestive tract, then use an infusion of wormwood, which should be drunk at least 200 ml per day.

If the sour smell is associated with problems in the oral cavity, then in such cases ginger root often helps out. It is enough to cut off a thin plate of the root and chew it for several minutes.

Homeopathy

There are many homeopathic remedies that affect the unpleasant sour smell from the mouth, as well as its cause. Among such remedies are Rus, Mercurius, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Coffea, etc.

Koffea kruda is used mainly in children, especially if the odor is caused by problems in the oral cavity.

For sour breath that occurs in pregnant women, Sepia is suitable.

Creosotum is a product that eliminates bad odor associated with dental problems.

Nux Vomica will help in cases where the sour smell is the result of problems with the digestive tract: the drug will also eliminate pain, constipation and improper digestion of food.

Cimicifuga is a homeopathic remedy that helps with the appearance of acid in the mouth after stress and nervous shock.

Prevention

To prevent the appearance of an unpleasant sour smell from the mouth, it is necessary to follow several simple but important rules:

• ensure regular oral hygiene, brush and rinse your teeth thoroughly;
• review your diet, reducing the amount of fatty, smoked and fried foods, as well as sweets;
• review your drinking regimen and avoid a lack of fluid in the body;
• visit your dentist regularly;
• periodically get tested for dysbacteriosis and helminthiasis;
• Quit smoking completely and limit alcohol consumption to a minimum.

If any problems with the digestive system occur, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately and undergo the necessary examinations. This will help prevent not only sour breath, but also other gastrointestinal problems.

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Forecast

Sour breath itself is not scary, if you do not take into account the aesthetic side of the issue. The danger may be posed by diseases that led to the appearance of an unpleasant odor. If you contact doctors in time and find out the cause of the sour smell, as well as eliminate it in a timely manner, then the prognosis can safely be considered favorable.

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