What Makes Breath Smell Like Poop? Causes and Treatments

Introduction

Having bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable condition. But when your breath smells like poop, it can point to an underlying health issue. There are several possible causes for breath that smells like stool, ranging from poor oral hygiene to serious medical conditions.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the common and rare causes of breath smelling like feces. We’ll also provide tips for preventing and treating this symptom. Read on to learn what makes breath smell like poop.

Common Causes of Breath Smelling Like Feces

Here are some of the most common causes of breath smelling like poop:

Poor Oral Hygiene

One of the most common reasons for bad breath is poor oral hygiene. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, food particles can get trapped between teeth. Bacteria thrive on these food particles and release foul-smelling gases as they digest the food debris. This can make your breath smell quite unpleasant.

Specifically, neglecting brushing the back of your tongue can allow sulfur-producing bacteria to accumulate. These bacteria and their waste products are one source of the stench associated with halitosis and breath that smells like poop.

Practicing good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and scraping your tongue can help reduce odor-causing bacteria. Using an antibacterial mouthwash can also help kill germs.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is another very common source of bad breath. When your gums are inflamed, it creates pockets around the base of your teeth. These pockets fill up with bacteria, dead cells, and debris. The anaerobic environment facilitates the growth of bacteria that produce foul odors.

You can usually recognize gingivitis as your gums will appear swollen and red and bleed easily. Treating gingivitis with professional dental cleanings and improved oral hygiene can help eliminate bad breath.

Tonsil Stones

Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, can also make your breath smell like poop. These formations occur when debris and bacteria become lodged in the crevices of your tonsils. The anaerobic environment allows sulfur-producing bacteria to thrive.

Tonsil stones can range in size from a small speck to as large as a pea. They are often visible if you shine a flashlight into your mouth. You may be able to remove small tonsilloliths by gently pressing on the tonsils with a cotton swab. For recurrent or large tonsil stones, a doctor may recommend surgically removing the tonsils.

Post-Nasal Drip

Mucus dripping from the sinuses down the back of the throat, called post-nasal drip, can impact breath odor. The mucus provides an environment ideal for anaerobic bacterial growth. As the bacteria digest the mucus, they produce sulfur compounds and other foul-smelling gases.

Treating the underlying sinus inflammation can help dry up excessive mucus production. Using a nasal saline rinse can help remove mucus and clear sinus bacteria.

Acid Reflux

When stomach acids back up into the esophagus and throat, it’s called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux. The stomach acids have a foul smell that can be released via the breath. Acid reflux can also contribute to post-nasal drip, which as mentioned above, can also cause bad breath.

Making dietary and lifestyle modifications can help prevent acid reflux flare ups. If symptoms persist, a doctor may prescribe medications to reduce stomach acid production.

Less Common Causes

There are also some less common and more serious medical conditions that can make your breath smell like stool. These include:

Respiratory Tract Infections

Lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, can sometimes make your breath smell like poop. Bacteria in the lungs produce gasses that can be expelled when breathing, resulting in bad breath.

See your doctor immediately if you develop breath that smells like feces along with other symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, or shortness of breath.

Liver Disease

Since the liver is responsible for filtering toxins from the bloodstream, liver dysfunction can cause bad breath. Poorly filtered blood leads to build up of compounds like ammonia, which has a strong, urine-like smell.

Some of the causes of liver disease include hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease. Make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect an issue with your liver.

Kidney Disease

As with the liver, the kidneys filter waste products from the blood. When the kidneys aren’t working properly, waste builds up and can be expelled through the breath. Poor kidney function can make breath smell like ammonia or urine.

Kidney disease can result from diabetes, high blood pressure, or other systemic issues. See a doctor immediately if foul breath is accompanied by symptoms like swelling, fatigue, or changes in urination.

Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes can also contribute to bad breath that smells like stool. When the body can’t regulate blood sugar properly, it leads to a build up of ketones in the blood. This is known as diabetic ketoacidosis and can make breath have a sweet, fruity odor.

If you have diabetes and experience this symptom along with increased thirst and urination, contact your doctor promptly to avoid complications.

When to See a Doctor

Occasional bad breath, especially after eating strongly flavored foods like garlic, is normal. But if you experience persistent bad breath accompanied by other symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Be sure to see a doctor promptly if bad breath persists along with any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• Cough or lung symptoms
• Fever or chills
• Swelling in the legs or feet
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Changes in urination
• Unexplained weight loss

Report any oral symptoms too, like red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Also tell your dentist if you frequently have bad breath.

Tips for Fresher Breath

Here are some tips to help prevent bad breath:

• Brush teeth twice daily and floss once per day
• Scrape tongue daily to remove bacterial buildup
• Rinse mouth with antibacterial mouthwash
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dry mouth
• Chew gum or suck on mints to stimulate saliva flow
• Use a humidifier if you suffer from chronic sinus issues
• Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke
• Limit consumption of alcohol and coffee, both of which can cause dry mouth
• Consider probiotics to promote healthy gut bacteria if stool-like breath is chronic

When to Seek Medical Treatment

While practicing good oral hygiene can help with minor bad breath, it’s important to seek medical attention if smelly breath persists. Chronically bad breath could indicate an underlying health problem that needs proper diagnosis and treatment.

See your dentist and primary care doctor if you experience bad breath plus any of the following:

• Visible plaque, gum inflammation, or dental caries
• Post-nasal drip, chronic sinusitis
• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Cough, fever, phlegm production
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes in urination or urine odor

Oral conditions like gingivitis can be readily treated with professional dental cleanings and improved hygiene. For symptoms suggesting more systemic illness, your doctor can order testing to diagnose the underlying problem.

When to Consider Digestive Disorders

Since breath that smells like poop has a strong association with the gastrointestinal system, you may need testing for the following conditions:

GERD

Testing for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) often starts with an endoscopy to examine the esophagus. Treatment depends on severity but may include diet and lifestyle changes, antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors.

H. pylori infection

An infection with the H. pylori bacteria can contribute to bad breath. Testing involves a breath test, blood test, stool test, or endoscopy. Treatment consists of a regimen of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors.

GI motility disorders

Conditions that affect gastrointestinal motility, like gastroparesis or chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, can cause bad breath. A gastric emptying scan, motility testing, or biopsy can help diagnose motility disorders.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

SIBO happens when excessive bacteria in the intestines produce gases that can be expelled through breath. Testing typically involves a breath test measuring hydrogen and methane. Antibiotics, probiotics, and dietary changes help manage SIBO.

Inflammatory bowel diseases

Chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis cause intestinal inflammation, which can contribute to bad breath. Testing usually requires a colonoscopy to view the intestinal lining. Treatment aims to reduce inflammation and may include medication, diet modification, or surgery.

When to Consider Respiratory Disorders

Breath that smells like feces could potentially indicate an issue with the respiratory system. Some possibilities your doctor may investigate include:

Chronic sinusitis

Your doctor will check for sinus tenderness, nasal discharge, and other sinusitis symptoms. Treatment involves nasal saline irrigation, decongestants, steroids, or antibiotics. For recurrent sinusitis, surgery may be an option.

Bronchitis or pneumonia

A chest x-ray can detect pneumonia or bronchitis. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. For viral infections, treatment aims to manage symptoms.

Lung abscess

A pus-filled cavity in the lung can cause extremely foul-smelling breath. Diagnosis may involve x-rays, CT scans, or lung biopsy. Treatment consists of extended antibiotic therapy and draining the abscess.

Other lung diseases

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer can also impact breath odor. Your pulmonologist will determine appropriate diagnostic testing and treatment.

When to Consider Systemic Conditions

Because the breath provides a window into overall health, foul odors could indicate an internal medicine disorder. Possibilities doctors may investigate include:

Liver disease

Lab tests, imaging, and potential biopsy can diagnose liver issues. Treatment depends on the cause but may include medication, dialysis, or transplant.

Kidney disease

Blood tests and urine testing reveal kidney dysfunction. Treatment ranges from medication to dialysis or transplant, depending on severity.

Diabetes

Breath that smells sweet or fruity can indicate diabetes ketoacidosis. Blood glucose testing and urine ketones can diagnose this condition. Rapid treatment with insulin and fluids is critical.

When to See an ENT

For chronic bad breath localized to the mouth and nose, you may benefit from seeing an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT). An ENT can evaluate the following possibilities:

Tonsil stones

ENTs can remove or dislodge tonsil stones and surgically remove tonsils if necessary.

Post-nasal drip

Treatment options include nasal irrigation, antihistamines, decongestants, or antibiotics if sinusitis is present.

Throat and mouth infections

ENTs diagnose and treat oral thrush, tonsillitis, strep throat, and other infections that can cause bad breath.

Prevention Tips

Practicing good oral hygiene and addressing associated medical issues can help prevent smelly breath. Here are some tips:

• Brush and floss teeth thoroughly each day
• Scrape tongue daily
• Use antibacterial mouth rinses
• Treat gum disease and cavities
• Remove tonsil stones
• Address reflux, post-nasal drip, and sinusitis
• Follow treatment plans for diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders
• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
• Limit dry foods that stick to the mouth

Outlook for Bad Breath

While passing breath odors are normal, chronic bad breath should be evaluated by a doctor. Successfully controlling smelly breath requires identifying and properly treating the underlying cause.

Practicing good oral hygiene, staying hydrated, and avoiding risk factors like smoking can prevent many cases of halitosis. But when bad breath persists, seeing both a dentist and primary care physician is key to getting to the bottom of the issue.

With the right diagnosis and compliance with treatment, you can conquer bad breath. Pay attention to any accompanying symptoms and inform all your healthcare providers about the issue for optimal management of smelly breath.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.