Can your breath stink because you're full of poop?

Question

My wife thinks that if you are constipated or have poo in your bowels it'll make your breath stink....I think she is full of crap. Figuritively speaking. Who is right, and why?

Answer 1

Well there is no scientific study I know of, so she is probably wrong. Then again the hole in your mouth goes through your body and out the anus, so it is all attached

Answer 2

I concur with MinuteBlue, though I would add that if there's something in your intestine that's getting from there into your bloodstream, it can get into your mouth via the bloodstream.

My theory: if you're constipated, it is probably because you are (a) not drinking enough water, (b) not eating enough fiber and eating other stuff instead, (c) both of the above. If (a) is the case, then your mouth isn't getting rinsed out (or is getting full of sugary soda) and that can give you bad breath. If (b) is the case, you may have smelly food particles in your mouth, like meat stuck between your teeth (I can't speak for everyone else, but meat for some reason always gets stuck between my teeth). So you could have constipation and bad breath at the same time, but both are being caused by diet.

Answer 3

No, your breath does not come from your GI tract, it comes from your lungs, the only portion of the GI tract it passes through is your throat and mouth. Bad breath is typically caused by particles of food or bacteria in your upper GI tract or mouth...or burps.

It can also be an indication of certain disorders, or poisening in some cases.

Your esophegus remains (idealy) flattened when it's not in use, and there is a sphincter muscle on either side of your stomach which acts as a valve. Basically, there's no way for the scent of fecal matter to eminate from your mouth.

Answer 4

Ok, that's hilarious. GI problems can cause bad breath even if you keep your mouth sparkling - the classic example is acid reflux. (You can have acid reflux even if you don't feel burning) And the acid reflux can mess with your digestion, causing constipation or diarrhea. Soooo... you could be constipated and have bad breath, but it's not because of the constipation, it's because of the acid reflux, or whatever it is that's making you back up. Iwwww now you've got me thinking about poop gas coming out my mouth.

Answer 5

No, it's definitely possible.
There have been medical cases where the muscular contractions that push poop through your system (known as peristolsis) slow down or stop entirely... the gases emitted by the bowel there fore aren't pushed out your butt, and escape via your mouth.
I used to know a guy who had a very mild form of this... it made talking to him rather interesting.

Answer 6

I have to laugh at the "toxin " theory. If we were so full of toxins, we'd all be dead. One too many infomercials, I'd say.

I don't think the two are connected, although if you eat a particular diet, such as high protein, you can go into ketosis and that does cause halitosis...also certain health problems and oral cavity problems cause bad breath.

Answer 7

Best Constipation Cures

Answer 8

Nope! Your breath stinks because the bacteria in your mouth give off gas as a part of metabolism. So go brush your teeth!

Answer 9

I've heard the same thing. I think it could be true because if you are constipated, your body is filled with toxins and I suppose that they could come out of your mouth.

Answer 10

Yes. Digestive problems including constipation can affect your breath.

Answer 11

The poop is so far down in your intestines that there is no way it has a direct effect. Has a burp ever smelled ANYTHING like a fart? Thank you.