Why does diabetes cause halitosis

Diabetes raises your glucose levels, encouraging bacteria growth, inflammation, infection, and — you guessed it — bad breath. To make up for this, your body starts burning fat, which produces ketones a process called ketosis.

High ketone levels lead to breath that smells of acetone yup — the chemical in nail polish remover. More on that later. DKA usually affects people with type 1 diabetes when blood sugar is left uncontrolled.

The three main causes of elevated ketones are:. If you have these symptoms, you should get help immediately. DKA is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition. Metformin is a diabetes medication that helps control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Those who take metformin often note its fishy aftertaste. Eau de saumon? No, thanks. If you think your bad breath is linked to metformin, have a chat with your doctor, who can help you find an alternative approach.

In fact, gum diseases are the most common diseases on the planet! But even though gum disease is common, it can develop into a more serious issue if left untreated. The first steps toward better oral health are to take dental hygiene seriously and manage your diabetes.

If your breath is getting particularly fragrant, check your blood sugar level. Thankfully, this can be done with a simple at-home urine test. You can buy affordable ketone and blood glucose tests online or at your local pharmacy. They even sync with your smartphone! A ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat, and moderate-protein diet that can help improve glycemic control and help you lose some excess weight. Keto may give you bad breath because your body is producing more ketones.

Emad is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr.

Stephens would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns. Abdallah , Dr. Ali , Dr. Ejaz , Dr. Emad , Dr. Femina Ali , Drs. Ali and Ali , Ejaz Ali , Femina Ali , gum disease , health , healthy , kids , metro-west , Needham , oral health , patients , pediatric , smile teeth , tips , toothbrushing , tooth decay , cavities , caries , Wellesley , Wellesley dentist , Wellesley Hills , Dr.

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Posted in Blogs , Blogs. Share Article:. So, What is Diabetes? Bad breath, a possible early sign of diabetes? This two-way relationship has been shown in several studies revealing a significant link between uncontrolled diabetes and the more severe form of gum disease, periodontitis, as well as severe gum disease being associated with high blood sugar levels.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves oral bacteria which attack the oral tissues and bone that surround your teeth. Other systemic diseases, like heart disease and strokes, are linked to both diabetes and periodontal disease. Bad breath is a common sign of periodontal disease, and is typically a result of the bacteria within the mouth that produce volatile sulfur compounds.

Learn more about the causes and what to do…. The singer and actor shares why using the "time in range" metric to help manage his type 1 diabetes has been a "life-changing" discovery. The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are complex and range from genetic to environmental to lifestyle choices.

Learn more. My diagnosis was a wake-up call. It was time to take care of my health. Learn more about its symptoms, causes, and treatment. I learned that the best type 2 diabetes diet is the one that works for you. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Type 2 Diabetes. Medically reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, M. Causes Managing bad breath Takeaway Share on Pinterest. What causes bad breath in diabetes? Managing bad breath from diabetes. Read this next. Type 2 Diabetes and Oral Health.

Checking Ketone Levels. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Medically reviewed by Michelle L.