Why does weight loss cause bad breath?
May 26, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
During weight loss, reduced food intake leads to decreased saliva secretion and diminished oral self-cleansing ability, allowing bacterial growth that can cause bad breath. It is recommended to adjust your diet to ensure proper nutrition and drink more water to stimulate saliva production. Rapid weight loss causes fat breakdown, producing ketones that are excreted through the breath, resulting in a rotten apple-like odor. It is advisable to slow down the weight loss process, avoid extreme low-carbohydrate diets, and maintain a balanced nutritional intake.
Weight loss-related bad breath may be caused by excessive dieting, ketone production, constipation, gastritis, periodontitis, and other factors. Management should be based on the specific condition. If physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to visit a hospital promptly and follow medical advice for treatment.
1. Excessive Dieting: During weight loss, reduced food intake may lead to decreased saliva secretion, weakened oral self-cleansing ability, bacterial proliferation, and subsequent bad breath. It is recommended to adjust dietary habits, ensure adequate nutrition, drink more water to stimulate saliva production.
2. Ketone Production: Rapid weight loss can cause fat breakdown, resulting in ketones that are exhaled through the breath, causing a foul odor resembling rotten apples. It is recommended to slow down the weight loss pace, avoid extreme low-carbohydrate diets, and maintain balanced nutrition.
3. Constipation: Constipation may be related to poor lifestyle habits, slow intestinal motility, prolonged stool retention, and bacterial decomposition producing foul-smelling gases exhaled through the breath, often accompanied by difficult bowel movements and bloating. It is recommended to use medications such as lactulose oral solution, glycerin suppositories, or hemp seed laxative pills under medical guidance to relieve discomfort.
4. Gastritis: Gastritis may be associated with infections or unhealthy habits. Helicobacter pylori infection or acid reflux can cause fermentation of stomach contents, producing unpleasant odors exhaled through the breath, often accompanied by stomach pain and bloating. Patients may use medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, amoxicillin capsules, and colloidal bismuth pectin capsules under a doctor's guidance to alleviate symptoms.
5. Periodontitis: This condition is usually caused by infections. Dental plaque and calculus irritate the periodontal tissues, and bacteria decompose food residues into sulfides causing bad breath, often accompanied by red, swollen gums and bleeding. It is recommended to use medications such as metronidazole buccal tablets, compound chlorhexidine mouthwash, and dibucaine and borax dental cream under medical guidance to relieve discomfort.
It is recommended to maintain adequate hydration, practice regular oral hygiene, consult a nutritionist or physician to adjust dietary plans when necessary, ensure balanced nutrition, and pay attention to oral health to maintain fresh breath.
