Does Being Hungry Cause Bad Breath?

Q. When I get really hungry my breath becomes really, really bad. How can I stop that from happening?
-- S. Ludwig, via e-mail

A. "Hunger breath" can leave you -- and those around you -- hungry for a way to avoid the fumes you're exhaling. It's usually caused by regularly skipping meals. Not eating reduces the saliva in your mouth, and a dry mouth is like a Playboy mansion for randy bacteria looking to go forth and multiply. When they do, they let fly a sulfuric stench that causes bad breath. Take this quiz to see if you know how to check for bad breath.

You can get a variation on hunger breath if you're eating a low-carb diet and your body is burning fat instead of carbs for fuel. That can trigger ketosis, a chemical reaction that leaves your breath with either an odd fruits-and-nuts odor (not unlike perfume worn by your least-favorite aunt) or smelling like nail polish remover -- never a come-hither scent. Eat these six foods to nix bad breath.

Whatever the trigger, your breath can smell sweet again if you simply don't skip meals. It invites bad breath and it's a diet disaster. Your body starts hoarding calories, your blood sugar plummets, and next thing you know you're eating whatever isn't moving. Discover how eating yogurt can help sweeten your breath. To lose weight, try our YOU: On a Diet plan. It encourages eating often (no hunger breath) and includes complex carbs (no ketosis), and you'll still lose inches, pounds, and risky belly fat. Try these three herbal remedies to freshen your breath.

Want to keep your breath fresh and your mouth healthy? Use these dental tools to get the job done right.