Please stop talking, I can smell your bad breath from over here

(Missy) #1

I’ve read many posts regarding keto and bad breath and I can’t deny that I am one of those suffering from keto breath. My question is this:

Is bad breath a permanent side effect of keto?

I’d also like to add that my husband and I are both doing the keto thing and we are both aware of how our own breath smells, but not each others. When I’m feeling that my breath is rank, he says he doesn’t notice, and that my breath is fine. When he’s feeling like he’s a bit ripe in the mouth, I swear I can smell nothing wrong. And so this has me thinking:

Is bad breath,(aka keto breath), a self awareness thing? Or am I doing a disservice to those around me by thinking that my personal bad breath is something only I can smell?

(TJ Borden) #2

I’ve wondered that too. I haven’t noticed a difference myself, which just makes me wonder if I’ve had bad breath all along. I don’t have people offering me mints or gum, so I can’t imagine it’s too bad.

(Missy) #3

Same here. I haven’t invested in mints or gum yet and I’m wondering if that’s a mistake on my part. :joy:

(Rob) #4

My wife occasionally mentions it now (she’s not doing Keto) and when I first started I was very aware of it myself, but less so now. It’s not a deal breaker for me and can be combatted to some extent with sugar free mints (I buy Smint here in the UK, which are sweetened with Xylitol).

I believe the smell should go away in time when your body starts to burn Ketones more efficiently. 5 months in I’m still registering good purple readings on the urine strips, so clearly my body isn’t using all that I’m producing.

(Kameel Awdish) #5

I dont eat all day until dinner time, and wife constantly complaining about my breathe, she even said to me ‘its either me or the keto life’ long stroy short i hope shes doing okay! :joy:

(Alex) #6

I think it’s important to distinguish two different breath types here. First, you may have specific breath thanks to specific foods (dairy, cheese), which may make your breath smell bad.

And the other part is the “keto breath”, which usually is very similar to acetone. My SO always recognizes the acetone and it’s pretty hard to miss, so I think that it is not so much self-awareness thing, but differing the type of breaths…

It doesn’t last forever, but you need to find a way to live with it: either using mints, low carb gum or something else.

#7

As you adapt it will go away, don’t worry. Doesn’t mean we can’t have “normal” bad breath obviously but the ketone breath will run it’s course.

(Rob) #8

Interesting. I do know mine gets significantly worse after eating cheese.

(She had one feck to give and that feck is gone.) #9

:rofl:

(She had one feck to give and that feck is gone.) #10

Nobody has said I have bad breath and I have 2 kids. A friend did offer me a mint last week at an event where we had to be close to hear each other :grimacing:. I declined. Was a bit worried though :face_with_hand_over_mouth:. Drank lots of water and hoped for the best.

(Jay Patten) #11

Luckily I usually get to go home for lunch so I brush my teeth before I get back on the road (I’m a field inspector so I’m in the car all day). On days I can’t swing home I really notice my breath when I get back to the office in the afternoon. So basically I brush the heck out of my teeth three times a day. It works for me.

(Karen) #12

Pinch of anise, like our Indian friends

K

(Missy) #13

Hmm…maybe I need to get a second opinion then. Someone other than my husband’s. :thinking:

(Missy) #14

I eat OMAD as well.

And thanks for this. I literally LOL’d when I read this. :rofl:

(Duncan Kerridge) #15

Where are you finding those? The ones I see are xylitol?

(Rob) #16

oops… I didn’t have a pack to check! You’re right, it’s Xylitol! Doh! - original post updated :slight_smile:

(Ethan) #17

According to smint’s web site, the ingredients for peppermint are

Sweeteners (sorbitol, aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame K), flavourings, anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of fatty acids), colour (brilliant blue FCF). Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. Contains a source of phenylalanine.

The ingredients for 2 hours clean breath are

Sweeteners (sorbitol, aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame K, sucralose, neotame), flavourings, anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of fatty acids), magnolia bark extract (0.12%), zinc lactate, colour (brilliant blue FCF). Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. Contains a source of phenylalanine.

The acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K) is a pretty bad sweetener that raises insulin. I am also not a fan of sorbitol. Aspartame is debatable. I don’t know much about neotame. I see neither xylitol nor erythritol. EDIT: I found their “dispenser” products contain xylitol, which is bad for keto.

source: https://www.smint.co.uk/products

(Missy) #18

Then it’s definitely the latter of the 2…keto breath. Theres a certain taste I get, like a metallic or sweet metallic taste, when I’m feeling like I have bad breath. I’m thinking that’s because of the acetone. And very good to know it’s something that eventually goes away.

(Rob) #19

Found some lurking at the bottom of my work bag…

They say Xylitol on the front of the pack. Photo upload not working on my phone at the mo.

(Missy) #20

It’s good to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you!