UNDIP, Semarang (6/3) – Many people who fast often experience the same issue: bad breath feels stronger than usual. This condition is quite common during fasting. But what actually causes it? A dentistry lecturer from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, drg. Surya Nelis, Sp.P.M., explained that one of the main causes of bad breath during fasting is a drier oral cavity.
“When fasting, the body does not receive water intake for a long period. As a result, the mouth becomes drier. In addition, the lack of chewing activity also reduces stimulation of the salivary glands,” explained drg. Surya.
According to her, chewing plays an important role in stimulating saliva production. When this stimulation decreases, saliva production also declines. In fact, saliva functions as a natural cleanser of the oral cavity, helping to rinse away food debris and bacteria that can cause bad breath. “When saliva production decreases, the natural cleansing process of the mouth is also reduced. As a result, food particles and bacteria are not properly washed away,” she added.
Moreover, saliva contains enzymes such as salivary amylase (ptyalin), lingual lipase, and lysozyme, which help inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. When saliva levels drop, pathogenic bacteria in the mouth can grow more freely. These bacteria break down proteins from food residues and produce volatile sulfur compounds, which are the main source of unpleasant mouth odor. “These sulfur compounds are volatile, so people around us can detect their odor,” she explained.
However, bad breath during fasting can actually be prevented through simple habits. One of them is ensuring adequate hydration during non-fasting hours. drg. Surya recommends drinking about 2 liters of water per day, divided into 3 glasses: 1 at iftar, 2 after Tarawih prayer, and 3 at suhoor.
He also emphasized the importance of cleaning the tongue, as its surface is an ideal place for bacteria to grow. Maintaining overall oral hygiene is essential. “Don’t forget to brush your teeth before going to bed and after suhoor, because during sleep, saliva production decreases significantly—almost to zero. If food residues are not cleaned, bacteria will grow more rapidly,” he said.
Other steps that can help reduce bad breath during fasting include avoiding strong-smelling foods, not smoking, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and choosing complex carbohydrates over simple carbohydrates. By maintaining proper hydration and oral hygiene, people can continue fasting comfortably and confidently. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Faculty of Medicine Team, adapted from FK UNDIP’s Official Instagram)