It’s not just the breath: Acetone from the mouth is a message you must not ignore

You may think that this is just a classic bad breath that you can get rid of with oral hygiene. However, if it is an atypical odour, you should be alert. If your breath smells like acetone, it may be a sign that your body is at risk for disease.

Acetone as a sign of disease

If you feel that your breath resembles the smell of acetone, which is contained in nail polish remover, it may indicate high levels of ketones. This problem occurs especially in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Acetone is produced when fats break down. When the body lacks glucose, which allows insulin to enter the cells and is a source of energy, ketone bodies are formed, and acetone is one of them. The more its level increases, the more the body tries to get rid of it. Most often by breathing.

Acetone smell often indicates a disease called diabetic ketoacidosis. The body is struggling with a lack of insulin. This means that sugar levels are high. It has to find other sources of energy, mainly fatty acids, which produce ketones. This disease is not to be trifled with and a quick solution is needed.

In diabetes, there is a lot of glucose in the blood and not enough in the cells. In this case, the level of ketones can rise and the person is more easily susceptible to ketoacidosis. This often leads to acidification of the blood and subsequent organ involvement. You may not notice the symptoms right away, but if you vomit, the disease progresses quickly.

Diabetes is not the only cause of acetone odor. It is very often found in people who are starving, dieting or suffering from eating disorders. The body struggles with a lack of carbohydrates, which can manifest itself in fatigue or weakened immunity.

What to do if you notice bad breath?

If you notice that your breath has changed and resembles the smell of acetone, there are other signs to look out for. In particular, these include fatigue, excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea, shortness of breath or abdominal pain. In these cases, it is a good idea to change your diet and hydrate yourself sufficiently. And if the symptoms are really noticeable, you need to see a doctor.