Bad breath (from the other side!)

[LemonTartsForever]

I've seen a few 'bad breath' threads recently, with people complaining about their partners breath... its made me think about myself and how to address the issue I've suffered with for years. I'm on the other side and seeing the posts of how 'disgustingly vile' (which I agree with btw) has made me want to get it sorted.

I'm a 23 year old female, I'm healthy, I eat well and drink plenty of water. I brush my teeth three/four times a day, I use mouth wash and I floss. I still have the most vile breath. I know people pick up on it occasionally, ex boyfriends out of spite have said things such as "it's a shame, you've got such a pretty face with the most disgusting breath" I can taste it also. I constantly carry mints and chewing gum to hide it. I'll wake up at 3am to brush my teeth in case I breathe on DP and before he wakes! I feel so sorry for my lovely DP he's never said a word bless him

I think it's hereditary as my dad and auntie suffer with the same thing. I literally just cried my eyes out writing this, it's affecting me so much. I didn't go to a job interview the other day because I'd misplaced my chewing gum just as I was walking into their office!

I don't have tonsil stones I don't think, I can't see anything? Does anyone have any other possible causes?

[AvonBarksdale99]

I'm sure you've tried everything but just as general information to anyone, Listerine's 'Gum Health' or Healthy Gums (clear bottle and liquid, white and pink label) is by far the best mouthwash for fresh breath I've ever tried, and being paranoid about this I've tired many. Definitely worth giving a go.

[Poisongirl81]

Can you ask you oh if you still have it as you might not? You sound very dentally clean. My mum does so I worry too as kids tell me I do sometimes. Sorry can't offer better advice.

[LemonTartsForever]

I have tried listerine, it literally lasts twenty minutes max and then I can taste the odour coming back. I also carry a little Listerine Total Care in my handbag.

I am very orally clean, at one point maybe I'm cleaning too much and it's killing even the good bacteria. I brushed just twice and one rinse with mouth wash. It smells the same whether I brush once, twice or four times. It's awful

[dancemom]

Op are you me?

I carry polos everywhere! I use a water floss and electronic tongue scraper 3 times a day! I feel my bad breath comes from my tongue?

Had my tonsils removed when I was 16 and also can't see any tonsil stones. Asked my dental hygienist and she said it's not dental related.

It's a daily nightmare!

[LemonTartsForever]

I've never had the courage to ask him to smell, we both know it reeks, he's just worried about hurting my feelings as he can tell I'm aware of it IYSWIM? I'm doing all I can... it makes me sad!

[LemonTartsForever]

dance it's such an awful thing to live with! Have you seen anyone about it? Im planning a trip to the GP/Dentist. I have my tonsils still, but I don't have stones either! Anything minty lasts twenty minutes and then it reeks again!

[Poisongirl81]

What are tonsil stones?

[QueenLaBeefah]

Have you spoken to your dentist about this?
Do you drink enough water every day?
Do you suffer from constipation?

[LemonTartsForever]

They're like little yellow stone things that sit in the back of your throats that absolutely stink. Apparently you can push them out with a cotton bud? I'd never heard of them until I saw posts on MN

[LemonTartsForever]

queen no, I've always been so embarrassed to raise the issue with anyone. I realise it needs sorting though. I drink 1.5 litres a day, I have a healthy diet and stay away from curries and anything that could worsen my breath. I don't suffer from constipation really, I probably go to the toilet 3 times a week and that's always been normal for me.

[endofthelinefinally]

Please go and see your GP.
There are other causes of bad breath that are not related to your mouth or throat.

[AvonBarksdale99]

There are loads of different listerines though, some are better than others, and the gum health one is loads better.

I have heard that cleaning them too much can make it worse? Also you can feel paranoid that it's worse than it is, I've had times where I've asked someone to tell me how bad it is as I'm so worried and they've said it's fine...

[LemonTartsForever]

I will see the GP, just wondered if there's any possible causes I can ask to be looked into

avon I've got the one in the clear and pink bottle that says gum treatment, it worked the same as the others I have in the bathroom cabinet I do carry a little bottle in my bag also. It seems to just last 20 mins and wears off. I don't want smelly breath anymore

[endofthelinefinally]

It can be a sign of kidney or stomach problems.

[TheSultanofPingu]

I have this problem too.
I've had the odd comment in the past and I'm paranoid about my breath. I have good dental hygiene, but I think it either originates from my tongue or sinuses.
Some people get quite close when talking and I tend to turn my face away in case they can smell my breath.

[gamerchick]

Are you sure it's your teeth (as in does your dental floss smell minging after using it)?

You really should start with the dentist and work from there. It might not be dental at all.

[LemonTartsForever]

pingu I do that too, or cover my mouth with my hand

[LemonTartsForever]

Gamer, I've never actually smelt it? It could be my tongue tbh, I'm not sure?! I'm going to try now!

[Ploppymoodypants]

OP I am in the same position. I have the WORST morning breath ever. I am so concious of it. I am so clean dentally, clean, floss, swish my mouth out. No gum disease. No plaque. Healthy diet, no indegestiom or smelly burps. Just really bad breath. Tried all the usual expensive mouth washes.

But then I discovered something by accident. If I go to bed without brushing my teeth (discovered on a drunken camping trip where all face washing and teeth cleaning were abandoned one night) then My breath is fine in the morning. DH couldn't believe it. We tested it again another night a few weeks later. And it worked. The thing is though, it's not really a solution to replace smelly breath with rotten teeth!

[Mermaidinthesea123]

Do you go the dental hygienist regularly? My last husband had ghastly breath as his plaque levels were abnormally high and built up very quickly. Going to the hygienist regularly i.e 3 monthly sorted it out.
If its not that its medical and there are specialist dentists that can sort it out.

[Neverknowing]

Often it's tooth decay (or hidden tooth decay) that smells even when you've bushed your teeth lots especially if you can 'taste' the smell! Definitely speak to your gp and your dentist, I know it's embarrassing but they see it all the time!

[Gingernaut]

Chest infection, sinusitis, tonsillitis, adenoiditis, bronchitis - there could be any number of reasons.

[Deux]

If you are sure it's not coming from dental hygiene and you've been to the dentist then make a GO appointment.

Bad breath can be cause by gastrointestinal problems.

Do you have a low carb/high protein diet? That can cause bad breath too.

[Deux]

GP

[DrCoconut]

I've got a decaying wisdom tooth and it tastes unpleasant. It's impacted so hard to clean. It took a while to detect because it's not properly through. I've been advised to have it out along with the one on the other side