The Stinky Truth About Poop Breath

Do you ever get close to someone and suddenly get a whiff of something terrible coming from their mouth? You try to hold your breath and politely back away, hoping they don’t notice your reaction. But deep down you wonder – what is going on in there?!

We’ve all been in awkward situations caused by bad breath. And when that bad breath smells like actual poop, it’s downright mortifying!

The good news is there are some simple, practical steps you can take to freshen up stinky breath. In this article, you’ll discover easy tips to fix poop breath so you can feel confident in any social situation.

I’ll share how small changes to your oral hygiene routine, like brushing your tongue, can make a big difference. You’ll also learn some sneaky foods that may be contributing to the problem and natural remedies to help override the stinky odors.

Finally, I’ll advise when it’s time to see a doctor, as foul-smelling breath can occasionally indicate something more serious. You’ll walk away with a breath freshening game plan, plus a big dose of empathy for those suffering from smelly breath. Let’s get started!

What Causes Poop Breath?

Poop breath is exactly what it sounds like – breath that smells like actual poop. The medical term is fecal odor, and it happens when compounds from poop make their way up into your mouth and nasal passages.

Here are some common causes of fecal odor breath:

Poor oral hygiene – Not properly brushing and flossing leaves food particles and bacteria to decay in your mouth. This releases sulfur compounds that smell like poop.
Foods – Onions, garlic, spices, and coffee can leave lingering odors.
Medications – Some prescription drugs cause dry mouth or change your breath.
Medical conditions – GERD, kidney failure, sinus infections, and more can lead to foul odors.
Blocked intestines – A bowel obstruction prevents waste from exiting properly.

As you can see, poop breath can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons. Now let’s look at ways to fix it.

Quick Poop Breath Remedies

Want to knock out poop breath on the spot? Try these fast-acting remedies:

Chew mint gum or suck on a mint – The menthol immediately freshens bad breath.
Drink water – This washes away odor-causing debris and bacteria.
Brush your teeth – Brushing and flossing removes smelly food particles.
Use mouthwash – The antibacterial rinse kills germs that cause odors.
Chew parsley or cilantro – These fresh herbs neutralize compounds that cause bad breath.
Suck on a lime wedge – The citric acid stimulates saliva to rinse the mouth.

While these quick fixes temporarily mask poop breath, they don’t address the root causes. For lasting relief, you need to implement the following oral care practices.

Oral Hygiene Habits For Reducing Poop Breath

The state of your mouth is directly linked to the state of your breath. Making oral hygiene a priority minimizes foul odors:

Brush and floss twice a day – Be sure to brush your teeth, gums, tongue and roof of your mouth. Flossing removes debris between teeth.

Clean your tongue – Use a tongue scraper or brush to remove bacteria buildup that causes odors.

Rinse after eating – Swish water around to clear food particles that get trapped and rot.

Avoid foods that linger – Garlic, onions and spicy cuisine can leave smelly sulfur compounds.

Drink lots of water – Staying hydrated produces more saliva, your mouth’s natural cleanser.

Chew sugar-free gum – The chewing action produces saliva to rinse odors. Xylitol gum also prevents bacteria growth.

See your dentist regularly – Have cleanings and checkups to remove calculus deposits that trap odors.

Practice good oral hygiene first thing in the morning and before bedtime. If you can’t brush after meals, simply swish some water around. Implementing these simple habits will go a long way towards stopping poop breath.

Natural Remedies To Beat Poop Breath

Here are some all-natural remedies that neutralize and cover up poop breath odors:

Green tea rinse – The polyphenols have antibacterial effects that destroy odor-causing germs.
Apple cider vinegar – Contains acids that balance mouth pH to kill bacteria. Mix with water and gargle.
Baking soda – Creates an alkaline environment to discourage bacteria growth. Sprinkle on your toothbrush.
Lemon water – Lemon neutralizes odors and stimulates saliva production. Drink it often.
Parsley or mint – Chew the fresh leaves to release chlorophyll that freshens breath.
Cinnamon sticks – Suck on one like a mint to coat the mouth with its spicy, sweet flavor.
Cloves – These contain eugenol that numbs odor receptors in the mouth.
Probiotic yogurt – The good bacteria crowd out the stinky microorganisms. Eat it daily.

When Poop Breath Indicates A Serious Problem

Most of the time, poop breath is caused by the factors we’ve covered, like poor hygiene and certain foods. But extremely foul, persistent bad breath can indicate an underlying medical issue.

See your doctor if your breath has a fecal odor and you experience any of these symptoms:

Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Bloody stools
Abdominal pain
Constipation/Diarrhea
Nausea/Vomiting
Chest pain
Chills/Fever

Fecal odor breath accompanied by the above symptoms may signal:

Bowel obstruction – Something blocks intestines, allowing poop to back up.
GERD – Stomach acid backs up into esophagus and mouth.
GI infection – Bacteria like C. difficile release sulfur compounds.
Diabetic ketoacidosis – Metabolic condition produces acetone odor.
Liver or kidney failure – Buildup of waste causes breath to smell ‘fishy.’
Lung abscess or infection – Pus collects in lungs and causes bad breath.

If you’re exhibiting any troubling symptoms along with smelly breath, see a doctor to pinpoint and treat the underlying issue.

The Takeaway

Here’s the scoop on poop breath: Everybody gets it at some point. The main causes include poor oral hygiene, certain foods, smoking, medications, and medical conditions. Quick fixes like mints and mouthwash temporarily mask odors.

For lasting relief, develop good oral care habits like brushing your tongue, flossing, rinsing after meals, and chewing gum. Natural remedies like green tea, baking soda and probiotics also discourage bacteria growth and neutralize odors.

In rare cases, persistently foul breath may indicate something more serious like an infection or GI issue. See a doctor if you have poop breath along with other troubling symptoms.

The good news? Once you consistently practice proper oral hygiene and make changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can say goodbye to poop breath for good!