Bad breath may be a concern for some people who use kratom. However, some concerned users report that kratom – or certain kratom ingestion methods – can cause noticeable bad breath.
You can try a few effective methods if you suffer from kratom-related halitosis. If you have kratom bad breath, one of these easy fixes will likely help.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Halitosis has a number of causes, including traditional and kratom bad breath. A stinky mouth can be resolved by identifying the cause (or at least narrowing it down).
There are many things that can cause bad breath. A variety of factors can contribute to your mouth smelling less than pleasant, from poor oral hygiene to infection to diet.
Among those, here are those that might be affected by kratom use.
Tonsil Stones
Bad breath is often caused by tonsil stones. A tonsil stone develops when food particles, mucus, and other oral waste accumulate in the back of your throat (where your tonsils are), then harden over time.
It is possible that Kratom powder contributes to the formation of tonsil stones. It is particularly true if you use the “toss and wash” method or drink kratom tea that still contains raw kratom powder.
Kratom powder can get trapped in the back of your throat if you use either of these methods. It is very possible for kratom to cause tonsil stones if it gets caught on your tonsils.
If you have tonsil stones or see a lump of white material in your throat (that’s what they look like! ), then switching to another kratom ingestion method might be a good idea.
- Kratom powder will not get caught in your throat if you use oblate discs instead of toss and wash.
- Similarly, switching to a no-powder kratom tea filled with alkaloids will eliminate all kratom sediment that could end up in your tonsils.
Plaque and Tooth Debris
The second most likely cause of bad breath caused by kratom is debris caught between your teeth.
Food particles can get stuck between your teeth when you chew. This debris can become a breeding ground for bacteria if it remains there for a long time. Over time, it can even calcify, causing tooth decay, infection, and gum disease — all of which, you guessed it, can smell terrible.
Using the “toss and wash” method, drinking kratom tea (with raw kratom powder suspended in the liquid), and ingestion methods that involve raw powder in your mouth can result in kratom powder becoming trapped between your teeth. As many find kratom’s earthy smell unpleasant, kratom bad breath is likely to occur both in the short- and long-term.
Consider changing up your method if you toss and wash or drink kratom tea with powder.
- Kratom powder will not get caught in your throat if you use oblate discs instead of toss and wash.
- Similarly, switching to a no-powder kratom tea filled with alkaloids will eliminate all kratom sediment that could end up in your tonsils.
Consider flossing, using a water pick, and/or swishing mouthwash vigorously after taking your Kratom dose if you’re stuck with your current method.
Gunky Tongue
You can get stinky breath from your tongue. Studies have shown that scraping your tongue is more effective than brushing your teeth in fighting bad breath!
It’s possible that kratom contributes to stank-tongue, since you have to take your dose orally, so your tongue will be exposed to some of it. Kratom powder could possibly lodge on the tongue, or the tongue could absorb a bit of its raw smell. It’s especially true if you already have an unclean tongue.
You should scrape your tongue. Tongue scraping is one of the best ways to improve your oral hygiene if you aren’t already doing it. It is highly likely that tongue scraping will improve your halitosis, regardless of whether it is caused by kratom.
Other than that, switching to a kratom ingestion method that doesn’t involve raw kratom powder in your mouth may help. It’s a great idea to take Kratom capsules or oblate discs.
Kratom tea, regardless of whether it contains raw powder, may not be the best choice for tongue-related kratom bad breath. Kratom’s earthy scent is almost certain to be present in tea, which will inevitably expose your tongue to it.
Other Considerations
Among the three possibilities above, kratom and bad breath are most likely culprits. And the good news is that, for each, there’s a trick or two that are likely to cure the issue!
Outside of that, basic common considerations are always a good idea:
- Gum or breath mints without sugar
- Maintaining good oral hygiene
- Dentist visits on a regular basis
- Make mouthwash a part of your daily routine
If these measures don’t alleviate your halitosis, then there may be another, less obvious underlying cause. Consult your dentist for their opinion. In addition, a non-dental health issue may be the underlying cause, so consulting your physician might be helpful.
The effects of kratom on your breath are not inherent. Despite this, certain methods of kratom ingestion may exacerbate preexisting oral hygiene issues. Taking better care of your mouth can benefit both your health and your social life, so it’s crucial to find out what’s causing the problem.