The Surprising Link between Diabetes and Bad Breath

The causes of bad breath can be many. Poor oral health conditions, foods and beverages that you consume and several other things can play a significant role. But, did you know that there could be underlying medical conditions that can cause bad breath?
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The Surprising Link between Diabetes and Bad Breath


People who have foul smell coming from their mouth are essentially ashamed of their condition. They always live in the fear of being ridiculed or laughed at because of their bad breath condition. This makes them low in confidence, which makes them face some serious self esteem issues in life.

Mostly the causes of bad breath are either environmental or based on your lifestyle. The level of your oral hygiene, the food that you eat and the beverages that you drink every day can play a significant role in causing bad breath.

Bad Breath Causes

However, there can be instances when an underlying medical condition can be the reason behind bad breath. Like, diabetes is one of the many conditions that can have bad breath as one of its main symptoms.

The Relation

A condition in which the body causes high blood sugar levels as a result of the body’s inability to either produce sufficient insulin or to respond to the insulin produced in the body is popularly known as diabetes. When there is an out-of-control and fluctuating blood sugar levels in the body, the person becomes prone to gum diseases that cause bad breath. Hence, diabetes can be one of your prime suspects if you experience bad breath without any other reason.

In diabetics, sugar is used as a fuel and fat is utilized by the body. This process causes the occurrence of ketones. These ketones are acidic and are released from the body in the form of waste. When this happens, the person develops bad breath.

Measures you can Take to Avoid Bad Breath

There are several measures with which bad breath caused by diabetes can be controlled. Besides controlling your blood sugar levels, you must follow your oral hygiene regimen religiously. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss after every meal.

Bad Breath Causes

Drink lots of water to remove all the toxins from the body and to boost the production of saliva in the mouth. This will prohibit the growth of bacteria in your mouth. You must also avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol because this would dry your mouth and cause bad breath.


So, get yourself checked for the condition and regain your lost self esteem once again.

Image courtesy: Getty Images

Read more on Diabetes Signs and Symptoms.

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