Does Diabetes Cause Bad Breath and Halitosis?

Diabetes, Bad Breath and Halitosis

Some confusion exists around whether or not diabetes causes bad breath or halitosis. Unless a diabetic person is in a state of very high blood sugar known as ketoacidosis, no change in breath odor is expected. However, bad breath may be more prevalent in individuals with diabetes, simply because certain types of odor-causing bacteria tend to thrive in a high-sugar environment.

The term ketoacidosis refers to the presence of high concentrations of keto acids in the body. This typically results when a person’s body is burning stored fat at a high rate as a result of untreated type I diabetes mellitus. This condition can be detected by checking the pH level of the individual’s blood. Additionally, diabetic individuals with ketoacidosis often suffer from dehydration, which can also cause oral dryness, another contributing factor to halitosis.

Certain extreme nutritional restrictions, such as a high-protein low-carbohydrate diet like the Atkins diet, can induce a mild state of ketosis. The rapid rate at which fat is burned in this state causes ketones to be present in the urine, but this should not be confused with ketoacidosis. Regardless of whether a person is in a state of ketoacidosis or ketosis, an abnormal change in their breath odor can result. Specifically, the breath takes on a fruity smell, often described as sickly-sweet. Similarly, patients with chronic kidney failure experience a change in breath odor, resulting in “fishy” halitosis or bad breath that reeks of a urine smell.

If you have neither changed your diet nor been diagnosed with a serious medical condition, yet you detect yourself as having strange-smelling breath, seek medical evaluation from a professional immediately. Alternatively, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, or you are consuming an Atkins-style diet that causes your breath to emit this fruity odor, you’ll most likely want to treat or camouflage the scent. Take some time to browse through Dr. Katz’s broad spectrum of products designed to treat and prevent bad breath or halitosis.