Hidden Causes of Bloating That Have Nothing to Do With Food

Lisette Marie

25. Dental Health & Ill-Fitting Dentures: An Oral Connection

Young patient sitting in dental chair having toothache showing dentist. Senior dentist checking. Photo Credit: Envato @msvyatkovska

Your mouth is the gateway to your gut. Poor dental hygiene can foster an overgrowth of certain bacteria that, when swallowed consistently, might disrupt your gut microbiome balance downstream. More directly, issues like missing teeth, painful gums, or poorly fitting dentures impair your ability to chew food thoroughly (predigestion), placing a greater burden on your stomach and leading to gas. Ill-fitting dentures can also cause you to swallow more air while eating and talking. Regular dental check-ups and addressing oral health issues are crucial for optimal digestion.

26. Anticipatory Anxiety Before Meals: The Pre-Bloat Stress

Friends Making Dinner Together. Photo Credit: Envato @seventyfourimages

You might feel bloated before you even take a bite, especially before social meals or stressful events. This isn't just in your head; anticipating stress or scrutiny can activate your gut-brain axis preemptively. Your body releases stress hormones that can slow digestion, increase gut sensitivity, and lead to that familiar bloated feeling even on an empty stomach. Practicing mindfulness moments before eating, setting realistic expectations for social events, or using cognitive techniques to manage anxiety can help calm this pre-meal digestive distress.

BACK

(13 of 21)

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x600-long zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-bottom">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="7087745678"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-bottom', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
		gtag('event', 'conversion', {
			'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
			'value': 0.0,
			'currency': 'USD'
		});
    	console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
	}
	
    console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

OpenAI Playground 2025-05-13 at 10.55.45.png

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x280-sticky zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-sticky">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:280px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="9869999824"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-sticky', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
	  gtag('event', 'conversion', {
		'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
		'value': 0.0,
		'currency': 'USD'
	  });
	  console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
  	}

console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

25. Dental Health & Ill-Fitting Dentures: An Oral Connection

26. Anticipatory Anxiety Before Meals: The Pre-Bloat Stress

MORE FROM HealthPrep