While the keto diet may be popular, what impact does it have on your oral health?

The keto diet consists of high-fat and low carb foods—cheese, nuts, fish, meat, veggies, for example. That idea is that intaking this kind of food forces your body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. While this diet may work for you, there’s a side effect you should be aware of: keto breath.

What does it smell like? It has a fruity or acetone smell but can be much worse if there’s a high bacteria count in your mouth. In that case, you reach a level of bad breath known as “dragon’s breath.” The side effect is common, so you’ll want to be extra vigilant with your oral health if you want to keep your breath in tip-top shape. Other tips include:

• Drink plenty of water. A hydrated mouth keeps bacteria at bay.
• Use alcohol-free mouth wash. Mouthwashes containing alcohol have a drying effect on your mouth, ramping up bacteria production.
• Ease into the diet. Rather than jumping in with both feet, consider taking on the new diet slowly, allowing your body to adjust.
• Watch your stress levels. Stress reduces the flow of saliva (creating a playground for bacteria) and it also slows the digestion of proteins.

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Are you ready to have the best breath and smile of your life? Schedule an appointment today and we’ll help you reach your oral health goals while you reach your weight loss goals.