Diabetes is a common condition that affects more than four million people in the UK, and 90 per cent of all cases are caused by type 2 diabetes. The condition may be caused by the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the body not reacting to insulin. Without enough of the hormone, the body struggles to convert sugar in the blood into useable energy. You could be at risk of diabetes if you often develop bad breath, it’s been revealed.
There are some medical conditions, including diabetes, which make people more susceptible to halitosis
Diabetes.co.uk
Bad breath could be an early warning sign of high blood sugar, according to medical website Diabetes.co.uk.
The condition, which is also known as halitosis, is caused by an abundance of bacteria living in the mouth, which leads to a build-up of dental plaque.
Diabetes patients have higher levels of sugar in their mouth, which creates the perfect feeding ground for this bacteria, which subsequently leads to bad breath.
“The causes of bad breath are wide-reaching but the condition is often linked to poor dental plaque removal,” said Diabetes.co.uk.
“Plaque bacteria, which live in-between the teeth and on the surface of the tongue, digest glucose or food particles then release foul-smelling gasses.
“There are some medical conditions, including diabetes, which make people more susceptible to halitosis.
“Diabetes can cause ketoacidosis, which is where the body burns fat instead of glucose if there is too little insulin in the blood, or if insulin resistance is too high.
“Ketones then form as a waste product which cause an unusual smell on the breath sometimes compared to pear drops.”
Certain medications could also be contributing to bad breath. That includes the diabetes medication metformin.
But you could lower your risk of developing bad breath by maintaining good oral hygiene, added the medical website.
That includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, while also making sure to brush in between your individual teeth.
Symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 3.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 500,000 who are living undiagnosed with the condition
A classic symptom of diabetes can lead to rapid weight loss
Similarly, controlling your blood sugar levels will help diabetes patients to avoid bad breath.
Other, more common, diabetes symptoms include feeling very tired, having an unquenchable thirst, and passing nice rube than normal.
But many people may be living with diabetes without even knowing it, because the symptoms don’t necessarily make you feel unwell.
You should speak to a doctor if you’re worried about the warning signs or symptoms of diabetes, or if you think you may be at risk.
Diagnosing the condition early is very important, because patients are more at risk of some deadly complications, including heart disease and strokes.
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