Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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 Protein Diet Breath

By Dr. Linda Niessen
Monday, May 17, 2004

STUDY:  PROTEIN DIET BREATH

Low carb, high protein diets may help some people lose weight.  But one strange side effect may cause dieters to lose something else:  friends. Dr. Linda Niessen explains the bad breath diet problem in today's Dental Health Check.

High protein foods set off a chemical chain of events once you start digesting them.

"When you are taking in so many proteins, you can't break them down efficiently," says Dental Hygienist and Registered Dietitian Lisa Harper.  "You've got excess amino acids.  And what they do is combine with anaerobic bacteria, which are responsible for cavities and decay in the mouth.  And they emit that noxious sulfur compound that we smell."
      
So one side effect of a high protein diet can be halitosis or bad breath.  Some people refer to it as a fruity smell, thought to be related also to ketones, a byproduct of burning fat as fuel. "And in doing so your body is in a state of ketosis, so you get ketones." Beef, chicken, fish, and especially diary products can produce the chain reaction that leads to bad breath.

To combat the problem:

• Drink lots of water;
• Brush after every meal; and
• chew sugarless gum with xylitol.

"The sugar alcohol can, if chewing gum for about 20 minutes, reduce the bacteria in your mouth."

Lisa Harper is both a dental hygienist and registered dietitian.  She does not recommend the high protein, low carb diets. "I'm against it because I think we all need a balanced diet."

Halitosis or bad breath can also have more serious causes.  So if the problem persists, see your dentist for a dental check-up, plus, try eating a more balanced diet.  For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M System, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

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