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AIBU?

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Original poster

Feeling really awful about myself and my son.

185 replies

Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 13:30

Hello guys,

Hope you’re all having a wonderful day. I am currently struggling with my self esteem and confidence because I am a sufferer of chronic bad breath since about 8 years old. My eldest son was born with bad breath. Doctors are so confused and just throw the usual “it’s acid reflux”. Dentists say we have lovely teeth and a clean mouth. We still stink so bad. My bad breath is at a point where I can no longer mask it with chewing gum. I floss, brush and use mouthwash before I leave the house and I still get reactions from people.

I feel guilty that I passed this horrible disease onto my son. He is only 4 yeas old, he should be enjoying his life. He also has eczema, severe allergies, asthma and autism. Poor kid has a lot going on.

I just can’t take it anymore. The doctors have no idea and I don’t have tonsil stones. I’m really struggling with the bad breath, especially because now my son is suffering. He is repeating what the kids have said to him. After school he kept repeating “you’re stinky”. It breaks my heart to watch him go through what I went through as a kid. I really worry about his future.

People avoid talking to me at his school because of this disease. I’m not sure how much longer I can go on for like this. Thank you for reading. I can’t speak about this to anyone in real life so thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
NavyBee · 12/12/2025 00:11

Sinus infection? My daughter gets sinus infections quite often and her breath always smells horrible at those tines. We call it “the sick breath’ and it improves when she treats her infection

Reevester · 11/12/2025 23:46

Hello, my partner also has this sometimes (due to stomach acid and is also on the same medication as yourself, his mother also has the same issue). My partners flares up when he has trigger foods; anything fried, smoked paprika, we try and avoid gluten as much as possible, upfs, lol protein stuff which he used to live off oh and stress!!) we cook most things from scratch now. His overall wellbeing has massively improved. He still has the flare ups every few months, the bad breath is after the flare up and I would say (not a medical professional) when the stomach acid is angriest.

id keep a food diary and ask to be referred to a specialist and I hope this helps 💖

MrsMoastyToasty · 11/12/2025 23:40

Have you been tested for diabetes?

YourFairCyanReader · 11/12/2025 23:35

Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 23:25

Yes

Show quote history

Is there anything at all you have noticed has made it better temporarily, or worse? Time of day? Is it worse when you or your DS have a cold? Do you have any reflux issues?

Wantacampervan · 11/12/2025 23:32

Ask for this thread to be moved to health. Also request a referral to a dental hospital. Good luck with this.

MeadowMouse · 11/12/2025 23:30

This sounds really hard, and it must be frustrating to not have answers. Have you been referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist?

Dragonscaledaisy · 11/12/2025 23:30

Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 22:59

Since about age 8, my son always had it, he is almost 5 years old.

Edited
Show quote history

Do you think you may have acquired this and then passed it to your son rather than it being genetic or do you think perhaps it's just wasn't noticed until you were age 8 but you also always had it? Do you remember any notable events when you were around that age (illnesses, injuries, etc)?

BeeHive909 · 11/12/2025 23:28

Ask about haemocromatosis because it can be genetic and chronic bad breath is notorious with it, I’ve got it , not as bad as yours but I still see the dentist every month for a clean. Please ask about.

sunshinestar1986 · 11/12/2025 23:27

Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 14:50

Hi, I’m big on gut health and have followed strict diets and eat healthy high fiber diet. It makes no diffto my breath.

Show quote history

How about keto or even carnivore

Sherunswithwolves · 11/12/2025 23:27

Have you heard of foetor hepaticus?

Original poster
Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 23:25

lickingfingertastingfood · 11/12/2025 23:22

Have they done the SIBO test?

Yes

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 23:25

Tippexy · 11/12/2025 23:19

Or, maybe, you don’t actually have bad breath…?

Wow, so people telling me directly to my face is all in my head is it. I can smell my son’s bad breath, that’s all in my head is it?

OP posts:
lickingfingertastingfood · 11/12/2025 23:22

Have they done the SIBO test?

Tippexy · 11/12/2025 23:19

Or, maybe, you don’t actually have bad breath…?

Dissappearedupmyownarse · 11/12/2025 23:03

Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 13:30

Hello guys,

Hope you’re all having a wonderful day. I am currently struggling with my self esteem and confidence because I am a sufferer of chronic bad breath since about 8 years old. My eldest son was born with bad breath. Doctors are so confused and just throw the usual “it’s acid reflux”. Dentists say we have lovely teeth and a clean mouth. We still stink so bad. My bad breath is at a point where I can no longer mask it with chewing gum. I floss, brush and use mouthwash before I leave the house and I still get reactions from people.

I feel guilty that I passed this horrible disease onto my son. He is only 4 yeas old, he should be enjoying his life. He also has eczema, severe allergies, asthma and autism. Poor kid has a lot going on.

I just can’t take it anymore. The doctors have no idea and I don’t have tonsil stones. I’m really struggling with the bad breath, especially because now my son is suffering. He is repeating what the kids have said to him. After school he kept repeating “you’re stinky”. It breaks my heart to watch him go through what I went through as a kid. I really worry about his future.

People avoid talking to me at his school because of this disease. I’m not sure how much longer I can go on for like this. Thank you for reading. I can’t speak about this to anyone in real life so thanks for reading.

https://www.aesthetic-smiles.co.uk/the-role-of-genes-in-halitosis/

Genetic and congenital causes

  • Genetic mutations: Mutations in the SELENBP1 gene can lead to high levels of smelly sulfur compounds (methanethiol) in the blood that are exhaled.
  • Metabolic disorders: Inherited metabolic issues can cause a build-up of certain substances that lead to bad breath.
  • Thyroid/Bacterial imbalance: Some research suggests a genetic predisposition to an excess of specific bacteria or thyroid gland imbalances can start causing bad breath from infancy.
  • Other congenital issues: Nasal/throat obstructions (adenoids/tonsils) or foreign bodies can also cause halitosis in babies.

Just a few interesting things that have come up with a quick Google search which might help?

I also understand that using mouthwash can contribute to bad breath. This obviously doesn't help you son who I'm sure isnt using it as his age?

The Role of Genes in Halitosis - Dental Blog - Aeshetic Smiles

The Truth about Bad Breath: Halitosis can be Hereditary For a long time, many people try to weed out food, spices, beverages and habits that makes the

https://www.aesthetic-smiles.co.uk/the-role-of-genes-in-halitosis/

Original poster
Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 22:59

SallyDraperGetInHere · 11/12/2025 22:58

Have you always had this, @Hope54321? Or did it come on in adult life?

Have you a partner/DH?

Since about age 8, my son always had it, he is almost 5 years old.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 22:59

CunningLinguist2 · 11/12/2025 22:57

SELENBP??

Show quote history

I have read about the SELENBP1 genetic mutation, but there isn’t much research on this. I think there were only a handful of cases.

OP posts:
SallyDraperGetInHere · 11/12/2025 22:58

Have you always had this, @Hope54321? Or did it come on in adult life?

Have you a partner/DH?

Original poster
Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 22:57

Ophy83 · 11/12/2025 22:50

Are you both mouth breathers? If so retraining yourself to nose breathe might help.

As temporary solutions- have you tried chewing gum or regular mouthwash?

I do my oral care routine before I leave the house, then chew xylitol gum and people still react to my breath even though I have chewing gum in my mouth.

OP posts:
CunningLinguist2 · 11/12/2025 22:57

Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 22:43

Yes, I have tried cloves, they don’t get rid of the bad breath.

Show quote history

SELENBP??

Francestein · 11/12/2025 22:56

I would request a visit to an ENT and get them to inspect your sinuses. It’s possible you have issues there.

Original poster
Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 22:56

Ophy83 · 11/12/2025 22:50

Are you both mouth breathers? If so retraining yourself to nose breathe might help.

As temporary solutions- have you tried chewing gum or regular mouthwash?

I am not a mouth breather. He can be a mouth breather depending on how his asthma is, but he was born with the bad breath.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 11/12/2025 22:53

chrissycn11 · 11/12/2025 22:14

Google Dr Ellie Phillips and look at her mouth care system and all the reviews she gets. The improvement in oral heath is enormous.

I’ve seen her stuff. Lots to do with oil pulling, xylitol and other mouthwash. I don’t think it originates from the mouth, had to be a lot deeper. I have tried oil pulling religiously, chew xylitol gum every day.

OP posts:
RosyappleA · 11/12/2025 22:50

Have you had very thorough blood tests and maybe an endoscopy and colonoscopy, you never know something might be found? Worth being thorough to eliminate your doubts at the very least even if it is just genetic.

HildegardP · 11/12/2025 22:50

You're going to have to push for further investigations - stress the MH effects on you & your son, it's easy for people who don't have halitosis to minimise it as a condition, it's not nearly so easy to have it.

It's not always easy to diagnose the cause, a friend had 3 years of let's say not wholly necessary dental work done before his dentist threw in the towel. Even the GP had to refer him to a specialist before tonsil stones were diagnosed, & as you know, those are one of the more routine causes.

There are several possible causes that spring to mind & unfortunately, differential diagnosis is the process of eliminating one after another in descending order of likelihood. Be encouraged that you have at least ruled out the most likely possibilities & need not waste more time on them.
I realise it's hard but try not to be disheartened & keep pushing for a diagnosis.

(The doctor who told you there was nothing to be done if the cause is genetic has stepped into the realm of pulling things out of his arse.)
I wish you all the luck in getting this sorted.