What can cause bad breath?

[BertieBottsJustGotMarried]

I had terrible oral hygeine for years. Barely brushed teeth etc. As a result of this (I presume) I had/have terrible breath :(

However I feel I have got this under control now, I am regularly brushing at least once a day but most days twice a day. I use an antibacterial mouthwash and also floss every few days as well. I've been doing this for months.

But, it's not helping :( I still have horrible breath about half an hour after brushing my teeth, I get awful morning mouth, and develop "morning breath" after even napping for about half an hour, or any time period where I'm not talking or eating for any length of time, such as being on public transport. I can taste it in my mouth and it's horrible. I get tonsil stones as well which I've read can be a result of the bacterial environment in the mouth.

It's making me really paranoid that DH doesn't want to kiss me etc :( He does but unless I've just brushed my teeth I tend to avoid it and he does visibly turn away sometimes in the morning or comment on it. It's really getting me down!

[whattoWHO]

You should really be brushing at least twice a day.
And floss daily.
Do you visit the dentist? He/she would be able to say if its related to oral hygiene.
Something in your diet might be affecting your breath too.

[BertieBottsJustGotMarried]

When do you fit it in if you brush more than twice a day? I have time in the mornings and at night but I don't think of doing it other than that.

I haven't been to the dentist in years too scared although last time I went I was frightened they were going to tell me all sorts of things and they said my teeth were fine. I've moved now so I need to find a new one.

I don't know if this is relevant but I think I can taste where it comes from, it's at the back of the top of my mouth, what I imagine must be the soft palate. Although that might be more of a symptom IYSWIM.

[mellojello]

Dehydration might be a cause, what about any medication you may take?

[gamerchick]

You need to visit the dentist. He/she will tell you exactly the score.

[defineme]

You can brush at lunch time in work loo? Also have mouthwash next to sinks and carry those little mouth sprays and chewing gum. It could be that your teeth are rotten and smell? I'm not a dentist though-you really need to see one-it's always better than you think.
Bad breath can also be indigestion/low carb diet/sinus and other stuff I can't remember. However, given your poor mouth hygiene it's most likely the teeth. I hope you've got an electric toothbrush-they are so much better and a timer-2 minutes brushing.

[plutarch14]

Tonsil stones do make your breath smell, apparently. Have you been to the GP about those?

Re your teeth and gums - you NEED to brush twice a day and floss every night. No need to brush any more than that (my dentist says you can brush too much) but once really isn't enough. Is there a reason you don't brush more?

You could have gum disease or something related - you should see one soon as there are things they can do. If gum disease is left untreated, your breath will get terrible and there's a high chance you will lose teeth.

[HopeClearwater]

Please find a nice dentist and tell them everything you've said in your posts above. It will be ok. Get a good check-up, including X-rays. Good luck.

[BertieBottsJustGotMarried]

I do need to register with a dentist maybe I'll ask around for recommendations.

I don't think my teeth are rotten but I don't know if it would necessarily be obvious. The reason I brush once a day is that that's what I was brought up to do and it doesn't figure in my radar to brush twice a day. The reason I'm doing it now is that I've sort of realised that other people do, but I don't always remember or have time. (Which is silly. It takes 2 minutes. I suppose a psychological thing.)

I only learnt what tonsil stones were about 6 months ago from mumsnet. Before that I had no idea what it was, just that I'd always had it. I didn't think a GP could do anything about them, from what I'd read. They haven't bothered me for a while so I don't know. I know I've had gum disease before, an antibacterial mouthwash seems to keep the breath thing at bay for longer than other stuff.

I'm not on any medication other than the pill so I don't think it's that. Thanks for all of your advice :)

[MrChow]

Dentist, you may have build up of plaque that needs a hygienist to sort out. Decay may also be a cause.

Twice a day at least. Floss daily. And yeah tonsil stones.

[BlodynRose]

One of the main things that causes bad breath is scum fur build up on the tongue, especially at the very back. The best way to get rid of this and the bad breath is to brush your tongue as far back as you can get without gagging, press quite hard and brush then rinse. If you look before you brush your tongue you will see white coating on the tongue then look after brushing and you should see a pinkish tongue again.
This fur build up causes very bad smelling breath as it is built up bacteria.

[HopeClearwater]

You definitely need a dentist! Teeth need looking after by a professional.

My DH went after a 15 year gap (minimum) after He suddenly developed bad breath. Turned out he had a crack in a molar which was harbouring all kinds of nasties. Tooth was extracted, bad breath disappeared immediately.

[hairypaws]

First off see dentist. Also make sure you brush your tongue when brushing teeth. If I were you I'd also invest in a sonic toothbrush. I would get tonsil stones but they have now gone and I can only assume it's because my mouth now gets super cleaned therefore bacteria pretty much eliminated. You need to floss every day too.

[plutarch14]

Brushing teeth is just a habit - if you make yourself brush twice a day for a while, it will become second nature and you will feel icky if you don't.