--- title: How can intermittent fasting help bad breath? description: Diet changes can help lessen your bad breath by cutting down on some foods like garlic... but what about intermittent fasting? Here's how your bad breath is related to your gut's health. image: https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/hubfs/How%20can%20intermitten%20fasting%20help%20bad%20breath%2c%20fasting%2c%20intermittent%2c%20bad%20breath%2c%20oral%20health%20and%20fasting.jpg --- [![Solstice Logo](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vonazon/solstice-benefits-broker-blog-template1-logo-216x76.png?width=216&name=solstice-benefits-broker-blog-template1-logo-216x76.png "Solstice Logo")](https://www.solsticebenefits.com/) # Oral & Vision Health Blog ![How can intermitten fasting help bad breath, fasting, intermittent, bad breath, oral health and fasting](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/hubfs/How%20can%20intermitten%20fasting%20help%20bad%20breath%2c%20fasting%2c%20intermittent%2c%20bad%20breath%2c%20oral%20health%20and%20fasting.jpg) # How can intermittent fasting help bad breath? By Natalia Courtois on Jun 12, 2018 @ 12:20 PM When you think of intermittent fasting, you probably think “diet,” but probably not bad breath. So how is fasting connected to oral health? [Some research](http://www.healingteethnaturally.com/dr-herbert-shelton-fasting-effects-on-teeth.html) shows that intermittent fasting has a positive effect on oral health by helping with bad breath. To understand how intermittent fasting can help bad breath, it is good to know how your intestines or "gut" plays a part in the symptom. ###### The Connection Between Bad Breath and Your Gut When you think of bad breath, you probably don’t think that an unhealthy gut is part of the problem. You may have great oral hygiene and not know that your symptoms are part of another problem. The make-up of bacteria living in your intestine is known as your gut microbiome. When there is an imbalance with the microbes in your stomach, some types of microbes can overgrow, and interact with the oral microbiome. An unhealthy microbiome can cause bad breath by releasing a bad smell through the digestive tract. ###### How can intermittent fasting help? [Dr. Steven Lin](https://www.drstevenlin.com/dr-steven-lin/), a dentist, TEDx speaker, and author of [The Dental Diet](https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Diet-Surprising-between-Life-Changing-ebook/dp/B07681JGPL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528222258&sr=8-1&keywords=the+dental+diet), says, "Your body is designed for periods without food. Your sympathetic nervous system regulates these periods," he explains. Researchers have found that diversity in bacteria is key to a healthy gut, yet our modern-day diet does not produce enough diversity of microbes. We tend to stick with our usual diets out of convenience or comfort. When there is a decrease in the diversity of bacteria, an imbalance is created in your microbiome. Intermittent fasting has proven to help create a more diverse and healthy environment for your gut because fasting allows for time to start a bacterial reset in your microbiome. Many conditions can stem from imbalances in the digestive system, so correcting those imbalances can help resolve issues such as gum disease and bad breath.” There are many possible benefits to intermittent fasting including weight loss and oral health. When practicing new methods, such as intermittent fasting, make sure to routinely consult with your dentist about any concerning symptoms. If you’re looking for alternative options, consider these six simple steps to fight bad breath! [![New Call-to-Action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/215049/1e38c16d-1f5a-4ca9-aae4-9a28b16b996c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/215049/1e38c16d-1f5a-4ca9-aae4-9a28b16b996c) Share this with a friend: [![Share on Facebook](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Solstice-1.png?width=24&name=Solstice-1.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.solsticebenefits.com%2Fsolstice-member-blog%2Fhow-can-intermittent-fasting-help-bad-breath%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/hs-fs/hubfs/solsticebenefits-social-linkedin-blue-1.png?width=24&name=solsticebenefits-social-linkedin-blue-1.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.solsticebenefits.com%2Fsolstice-member-blog%2Fhow-can-intermittent-fasting-help-bad-breath%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/hs-fs/hubfs/solsticebenefits-social-twitter-blue-1.png?width=24&name=solsticebenefits-social-twitter-blue-1.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.solsticebenefits.com%2Fsolstice-member-blog%2Fhow-can-intermittent-fasting-help-bad-breath%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.solsticebenefits.com%2Fsolstice-member-blog%2Fhow-can-intermittent-fasting-help-bad-breath%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=How%20can%20intermittent%20fasting%20help%20bad%20breath%3F) [![Share on Pinterest](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/hs-fs/hubfs/solsticebenefits-social-pinterest-blue-1.png?width=24&name=solsticebenefits-social-pinterest-blue-1.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.solsticebenefits.com%2Fsolstice-member-blog%2Fhow-can-intermittent-fasting-help-bad-breath%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/hs-fs/hubfs/solsticebenefits-social-email-blue.png?width=24&name=solsticebenefits-social-email-blue.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.solsticebenefits.com%2Fsolstice-member-blog%2Fhow-can-intermittent-fasting-help-bad-breath%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.solsticebenefits.com%2Fsolstice-member-blog%2Fhow-can-intermittent-fasting-help-bad-breath%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ##### comments 0 ### subscribe Please fill in the form below to subscribe to our blog [![Free eBook Dental Care Through the Ages Download Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/215049/6ceecd6f-d073-4250-b92c-450666a7ca86.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/215049/6ceecd6f-d073-4250-b92c-450666a7ca86) [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/215049/9485a37a-17fb-4001-bfd7-9dc92baed65a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/215049/9485a37a-17fb-4001-bfd7-9dc92baed65a) ### blog categories - [oral health (36)](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/solstice-member-blog/topic/oral-health) - [dental care (18)](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/solstice-member-blog/topic/dental-care) - [child oral health (14)](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/solstice-member-blog/topic/child-oral-health) - [dental health (12)](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/solstice-member-blog/topic/dental-health) - [Eye Health (11)](https://blog.solsticebenefits.com/solstice-member-blog/topic/eye-health) © Copyright 2024  - “Solstice” is the brand name for plans, products, and services provided by the subsidiaries and affiliate companies of Solstice Benefits, Inc. Plans, products, and services are provided by one or more Solstice entities. Not all plans, products, and services are available in each state. Solstice legal entities include: Solstice Benefits, Inc., Solstice Health Insurance Company, Solstice Healthplans, Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Arizona, Inc., Solstice of Illinois, Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Ohio, Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Texas, Inc., Solstice of New York, Inc., Solstice Administrators, Inc., Solstice Administrators of Alabama, Inc., Solstice Administrators of Arizona, Inc., Solstice of Minnesota, Inc., Solstice Administrators of Missouri, Inc., Solstice Administrators of North Carolina, Inc., Solstice Administrators of Texas, Inc., Claims Management Systems, Inc. Administrative Office for all Solstice entities: 7901 SW 6th Ct., Ste. 400, Plantation, FL 33324. 954.370.1700. www.solsticebenefits.com