responsive image

Going on a ketogenic diet, where people consume a low carbohydrate meal has been considered a fad, and while it has helped in weight loss, there are some bad vibes attached to it, mainly bad breath and poor oral health. Yes, keto diet can affect your dental health, since there is a connection between the ketogenic diet and oral health.

Keto and bad breath

The primary thing that you notice when your oral health is poor is bad breath. When you cut down on carbohydrates, it would produce halitosis, extremely bad breath that mouthwash, brushing the teeth and gums and even mints cannot solve. Halitosis is caused by bacteria build up in the mouth, and the odour can be quite repulsive. 

This is because when you transition into a ketogenic diet, the body fat begins to burn, leading to ketone reactions in the body. Ketones are chemicals which are found normally in the body. When you consume a normal diet, your body will burn fats and carbs normally, but when you have no carbs at all, it will cause bad breath situations. But when you are on a ketogenic diet, your body will burn these chemicals and emit a strong odour when you exhale. Over time, your body will get adjusted to a ketogenic diet, but for some people there will be adverse side effects like muscle loss, fatigue, digestive issues, headaches. When you cut down on the carbs, you lose out on the vitamins, minerals and critical fibre that your body needs. You tend to eat a lot of saturated fats which can be really bad for your heart as it can affect your cholesterol levels. 

Thus, when you are on a keto diet, your body goes into a state of ketosis, where you lose a lot of weight and your body burns fat instead of glucose.  Bad breath is just one of the adverse effects, so if you are suffering from it, then always check with your dentist and physician to see if your health is good. 

How the Keto diet affects the teeth

Keto diet is good when you want to lose weight or go on a low-carb diet, but your body must be ready to adapt to the changes as well. Low carb diet can reduce the inflammation and cavities in your teeth and gum diseases as well. It will also lead to less sugar consumption and thus slows down cancerous growth.  Carbs are the most common reason for cavities in the mouth because they cause cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth and acids as a by-product. This acid stays in the teeth, leads to plaque followed by weak enamel that can ruin your teeth completely. So if you are on a diet that totally avoids, sugar, chips, crackers and sweets, you are doing a lot of good to your teeth

Naseem Al Rabeeh has a dental centre in Wakrah offering the best dental services and restorative procedures in the area. We offer our patients a friendly hospital environment so they can come in and feel comfortable and at ease. We also have excellent physicians too, so before going on a diet all by yourself, it would be wise to check your dental health and your general health and modify the diet accordingly. 

It is possible to lose weight through a modified eating plan without going the full keto route. There is a dental clinic in Rayyan as part of our hospital’s varied services, so if you are living anywhere in Wakrah or Rayyan, Naseem Al Rabeeh would be the best place to clear your dental problems.

Copyright © 2024 Naseem Medical Centre. All Rights Reserved.