What I like to call it "Ketone Breath" - kinda embarassing

[organicorange]

Ok, you know when you don't eat for a while, you kind of get "bad breath?" My sister and I get that sometimes, and we call it "Ketone Breath" since it's kind of like you haven't had food for a while so your body begins to break down fat into ketones. I'm not sure if our definition is a scientific definition, it's just what we call it.

So, how to counteract this? Whenever I get it I want to eat, but that's bad because I'll eat when I'm not hungry. I'll just eat to "cover up" this ketosis and/or funky breath. I've tried to brush my teeth whenever I feel this stank, but the "freshness" is short lived. Water does not help either. I even have a tongue scraper and sometimes THAT doesn't even work well. I COULD eat many more small meals throughout the day, but sometimes I just do not have the time and I want to stay away from "grazing" or else I tend to overeat.

It's not like I have the yuck-so breath all the time, it's just I know when I DO have it. It has a certian "taste" to it. It really grosses me out. I've asked my dentist if it was a tooth problem but he tells me that my teeth are fine and healthy. ARG! I think I'll just pump the tongue scraping up to maximum scrapage!

By the way, I am a a vegan/vegetarian (ocassionally I'll eat something that has a milk product in it, like near the bottom of the list). I don't particularily eat large portions of protein (like Atkins or anything). I don't know, any ideas?

[borealis]

I'd go with more whole grains and other complex carbs, which your body will break down more slowly.

[jeff_veg]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean, but I tend to have a dry mouth and loathe bad breath, so I chew gum during the day.

Of course, if you are like me, you probably don't want the chemical coctail that modern gum has become in your body (ie aspartame). I found this AMAZING gum called "glee gum" (http://www.gleegum.com), which is all natural.

It has sugar in it, but I just chew the same piece all day (and this stuff actually keeps its flavor AND stays soft the entire time), so the 1g of sugar turns out to be nothing over the course of a day. I highly recommend it.

Other than gum, you could try drinking lots of water. Smells are caused by bacteria, and bacteria thrive when your saliva levels are low and your mouth is dry. That's why gum helps so much - it keeps saliva in your mouth constantly.

[CountessKerouac]

I think if your body is in ketosis, that is signal to eat no? Maybe I am not educated in this area lol.

[Thalia]

I think if your body is in ketosis, that is signal to eat no? Maybe I am not educated in this area lol.
That's what I'd say. Burning protein means burning muscle, which is not good.

Tongue scraping will only help prevent bad breath caused by bacteria. If it's something in your bloodstream, like ketones, garlic, or onion, there is no way to combat it because it comes from the lungs.

[CountessKerouac]

I am a grammer whore...I think it's supposed to be "are conincidental" in your siggie. Sorry, my dream in life is to proofread books at a publishing company as a copy writer. :lol:

[MollyGoat]

I am a grammer whore...

But apparently not a spelling whore. (Grammar.)


I think it's supposed to be "are conincidental" in your siggie. Sorry, my dream in life is to proofread books at a publishing company as a copy writer. :lol:

*sings* Isn't it ironic...

[Arilark]

I am a grammer whore...I think it's supposed to be "are conincidental" in your siggie. Sorry, my dream in life is to proofread books at a publishing company as a copy writer. :lol:

I'm a bit of a grammar whore myself, though not on here, and is concidental is correct because anyone is singular.

Regarding the topic at hand, I also chew gum constantly.

[MollyGoat]

I'm a bit of a grammar whore myself, though not on here, and is concidental is correct because anyone is singular.

*sigh* If you're going to be a grammar whore, at least get it right. CK was correct in that technically it should be "are coincidental." The subject is "similarities," not "anyone." "Any similarities...are purely coincidental."

Sorry, Thalia. I couldn't give two ****s about your grammar.

[Arilark]

Hmm. Perhaps I should read more thoughly before I open my mouth. Sorry.

[Thalia]

I'll have to look into that. I actually think it's correct as is. You can always PM people about stuff like that in order to avoid derailing the thread. (not that I'm helping here.) I'll start a thread on this.

[CountessKerouac]

You are right! It is "grammar". I was really only kidding. I didn't mean to offend. I never mean to offend. I love all! :love:

This is me smacking myself: :wall:

Now back on topic.

[Katt Fink]

OrganicOrange:

I don't know, I've been having the same problem as of late, whether I've eaten recently or not. I know that gross "taste" you're talking about all too well. I thought maybe I had some kind of nasty infection in my mouth, but I don't have any pain or any other symptoms. I've taken to chewing gum constantly, but even then it only sort of "covers" it a little... and after the gum loses flavor, oh man, watch out. I don't know what it is, but it is really embarrassing and I'm becoming really self-conscious about it :cry:

For the record, I do stay on tip top of my oral hygiene but it seems like 5 minutes after I brush my teeth, it's back again! :brood:

[Verdant]

You might have deep tonsil crypts (http://www.drgreene.com/21_568.html). The junk that sits there starts to smell. If enough accumulates, they're called tonsil stones, even though they're quite soft. I used to have a big problem with these when I was younger. Nowadays I get them every so often, and I swill, gargle water, and kind of use the back of my tongue to force them out. They look like cooked millet and but definitely don't smell like it.

[Katt Fink]

That's interesting....

But what if you don't have tonsils?

[Maliaka]

I only get this if I am *really* hungry and haven't eaten in a long time. I know exactly what you're talking about though! I honestly usually just take a mint or drink some OJ or eat something, which is what you should do in the first place... :)