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Can Stomach Ulcers Lead to Bad Breath?

Can Stomach Ulcers Lead to Bad Breath?

Researchers from the Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan have found that bacteria that cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancers are also found in the mouths of some people who suffer from bad breath and these people do not have stomach ulcers or stomach cancer.

Nearly 90 percent of people in developing countries and around 20 to 80 percent of people in developed countries can get stomach ulcers and stomach cancers due to the infection caused by a bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori. This fact was recently discovered by scientists.

Now the research conducted by the Fukuoka Dental College suggests that the human mouth, which is home to over 600 different species of bacteria, could be home to the Helicobacter pylori; and the bacterium is present especially in people who suffer from bad breath, also known halitosis.

Bad breath is a common condition that many people suffer from. It is primarily caused due to gum disease, tongue debris, bad oral hygiene and poorly fitted fillings that allow bacteria to get trapped. Bacteria produce foul smelling compounds which include hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide. Usually when doctors try to find the cause of bad breath, the levels of these compounds are measured. And it is a known fact that many gastrointestinal diseases lead to bad breath in people.

Now the scientists have found that Helicobacter pylori can also live in mouths of people. They conducted research to see whether the bacterium could cause bad breath and tested 326 patients, who had the bacterium present in the mouth. They found that 251 patients suffered from bad breath while 75 did not and none of the patients had any gastric diseases or illness.

However, the scientists have made it clear that the presence of the bacterium in the mouth is not directly connected with bad breath but it is definitely associated with periodontal disease, which causes bad breath.

Pauline Go is an online leading expert in medical industry. She also offers top quality articles like:

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