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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:
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5
Hankunamatata · 10/12/2025 20:37

Twice daily sinus rinse?

Jk987 · 10/12/2025 20:21

have you been checked for tonsil stones? Or have you ever found any small soft extremely pungent lumps in the back of your throat?

Xmasdemon · 10/12/2025 18:30

Try yakult

Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 18:07

Wetcoatsandmudagain · 10/12/2025 16:43

Hi op I’m sorry you are going through this, it sounds very stressful.
you say you are interested in gut health? Have you heard of Shan Jones from Chuckling Goat? They do a microbiome test which you do from home. It came up some interesting results for me and I was able to target the bacteria causing my problems. They have a really great free customer helpline linked to specialists in the field of gut health. It might be worth a look at their website

I have done a microbiome test via healthpath and followed a diet and supplements. It didn’t do much for my breath.

OP posts:
Wetcoatsandmudagain · 10/12/2025 16:43

Hi op I’m sorry you are going through this, it sounds very stressful.
you say you are interested in gut health? Have you heard of Shan Jones from Chuckling Goat? They do a microbiome test which you do from home. It came up some interesting results for me and I was able to target the bacteria causing my problems. They have a really great free customer helpline linked to specialists in the field of gut health. It might be worth a look at their website

OvernightBloats · 10/12/2025 16:13

There is a diet called the Whole30 which is an elimination diet that you can do. It is a way to slowly introduce different foods to see if you react to anything. This could be a way to find out if it is a food that your body can't digest well.

Have you tried anything like this to make sure it isn't food related?

TreeDudette · 10/12/2025 16:09

Rumbling sinus infection caused by a sinus shape that prevents good drainage? Dry mouth disease?

Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 16:08

CandyCaneKisses · 10/12/2025 15:55

Have you asked close family or medical professionals if they can actually smell it?

Do you both drink plenty of water? Being dehydrated can make anyone’s breath smell bad. Flossing can make a huge difference too.

It could be the allergies. I would try cutting out dairy and work out if anything else is triggering it.

Yes, they say we stink. I floss 2-3 times a day religiously, it makes no difference to our breath. Drinking plenty of water also makes no difference. We both don’t consume any dairy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 16:04

OvernightBloats · 10/12/2025 15:30

Have you tried cutting out dairy foods to see if that makes a difference?

I don’t eat dairy foods.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 16:03

Ilikechristmas · 10/12/2025 15:56

I know it won't be this, but do you clean your tongue? I get a very coated tongue and so does my son. I need to clean mine after meals or my breath gets bad.

I havr a thorough cleaning routine which involves scraping my tongue.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 16:02

Nevermind17 · 10/12/2025 15:50

My DS has all the allergies and had this problem when he was little. He started to take daily antihistamines and started gargling and it cleared up.

My son still had bad breath when he was using antihistamine frequently. He also gargles every single day. He flosses and tongue scrapes ad well.

OP posts:
Ilikechristmas · 10/12/2025 15:56

I know it won't be this, but do you clean your tongue? I get a very coated tongue and so does my son. I need to clean mine after meals or my breath gets bad.

CandyCaneKisses · 10/12/2025 15:55

Have you asked close family or medical professionals if they can actually smell it?

Do you both drink plenty of water? Being dehydrated can make anyone’s breath smell bad. Flossing can make a huge difference too.

It could be the allergies. I would try cutting out dairy and work out if anything else is triggering it.

Nevermind17 · 10/12/2025 15:50

My DS has all the allergies and had this problem when he was little. He started to take daily antihistamines and started gargling and it cleared up.

BrentfordForever · 10/12/2025 15:47

Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 15:08

Sorry I meant I tried apple cider vinegar, it made the breath and reflux worse.

Show quote history

Yes that’s no good - perhaps go the other way and try a bit of baking soda or calcium carbonate (reduces acid, my kid has a bit every other morning )

you can give a go at the Enzymedica gold enzymes in case you have problems digesting specific food

OvernightBloats · 10/12/2025 15:30

Have you tried cutting out dairy foods to see if that makes a difference?

ThereWillBeSigns · 10/12/2025 15:17

No advice (except maybe try a medical herbalist and see what they can come up with) but hugs for you and your son xxx

InterIgnis · 10/12/2025 15:15

Did the doctor only do a physical examination for tonsil stones, or were scans done?

Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 15:09

TheBerry · 10/12/2025 14:58

Have you considered trimethylaminuria?

I have, but we don’t smell fishy and our body smells normal, it’s just our breath smells like poop.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 15:08

BrentfordForever · 10/12/2025 15:01

This kills acid and likely to cause more bacteria

try Apple Cider Vinegar (could sort out GERD but also very likely to kill whatever bacteria are around)

even if it’s caused by dry mouth disease, this still leads to bacteria

finally try getting digestive enzymes (Enzymedica Gold is the best); likely you don’t digest certain food cause of how you or your son’s gut is

Show quote history

Sorry I meant I tried apple cider vinegar, it made the breath and reflux worse.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 15:04

clutchbag · 10/12/2025 14:54

I know someone with really bad breath and was tested for helicobactor. This was positive and once treated cured the problem. Not saying this is the case for you but might be worth checking.

I tested for helicobactor, tests were all clear.

OP posts:
BrentfordForever · 10/12/2025 15:01

Hope54321 · 10/12/2025 14:46

The doctor has given me omeprazole so far, it’s made no difference in terms of my breath and has also caused diarrhea. Every time I bring up my son, they’re not intere and say children always change.

one doctor said if it’s due to genetics, there’s nothing that can be done about it.

Show quote history

This kills acid and likely to cause more bacteria

try Apple Cider Vinegar (could sort out GERD but also very likely to kill whatever bacteria are around)

even if it’s caused by dry mouth disease, this still leads to bacteria

finally try getting digestive enzymes (Enzymedica Gold is the best); likely you don’t digest certain food cause of how you or your son’s gut is

TheBerry · 10/12/2025 14:58

Have you considered trimethylaminuria?

clutchbag · 10/12/2025 14:54

I know someone with really bad breath and was tested for helicobactor. This was positive and once treated cured the problem. Not saying this is the case for you but might be worth checking.

Clychaugog · 10/12/2025 14:51

HumphreyCobblers · 10/12/2025 14:47

Good advice above about seeking more conventional medical help but I would also look to improve my gut health. Time Spector has good advice. If I had funds I would visit a functional doctor and have some test done, but this works out v pricey.

This was my thought. You gut microbiome is partly hereditary. You also have a mouth microbiome.

Perhaps investigate which bacteria (or lack of) might cause these kinds of problems and see if there is a way of controlling them

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