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Original poster

17 year old with bad breath

44 replies

HappyBamboo · 07/12/2020 23:36

DD suffers with bad breath and has had problems for years. She looks after her teeth so her oral hygiene is OK. Took her to GP ages ago who wasn't much good. She said she couldn't see anything wrong. At present, DD is recovering from Tonsillitis so her breaths particularly foul. Her nose is steaming all the time. She suffers with allergies but anti histamines haven't helped that much. She also snores, possibly due to when she had a bash on the nose when she was younger. I was thinking of booking a private consultation with an ear, nose and throat specialist to try and get to the bottom of it. Is this the best way forward?

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 08/12/2020 09:26

I would...I would also recommend that she avoids dairy completely as it makes snot far worse. Would she drink a glass of water with some apple cider vinegar in it? Daily?

Toddlerteaplease · 08/12/2020 09:27

Did she put something up there when she was younger and it's somehow still there. Yes she needs to see ENT.

felttree · 08/12/2020 09:37

Has she had tonsillitis before? Sometimes frequent occurrences can cause crevices in the tonsils to become deeper which food can get caught and calcify going smelly (tonsil stones). Not always easily spotted.

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Ohalrightthen · 08/12/2020 09:40

I'm sure I'm way off base but it needs mentioning - eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can often cause bad breath.

She should definitely be seen by a doctor, as halitosis can be a symptom of other issues.

Spied · 08/12/2020 09:40

If you are getting nowhere following the route you're taking then if you can, I'd go private.
Must be horrible for her. Especially being 17.

unebaguettepastropcuite · 08/12/2020 09:42

Sounds like it could be tonsil stones. They smell vile and happen in people who get tonsilitis. Sounds like your idea of seeing an ENT specialist is a good one.
I ended up having my tonsils out at 25. Best decision I ever made!

CorianderQueen · 08/12/2020 09:46

Does she have an electric toothbrush? That could help

Original poster
HappyBamboo · 08/12/2020 13:54

Hi. Sorry for delay in my reply. She has currently got to just recovered from Tonsillitis, which is why her breath is very bad indeed at the moment. She had tonsillitis a few weeks ago and ironically had good breath for the first time in ages, I imagine due to the antibiotics.
Although the apple cider vinegar water seems like a good idea, I am a bit nervous of trying it due to the fact DD has orthodontic braces. I will check with her orthodontist.
I tried this morning to book private ENT appointment, but they wouldn't accept it as don't treat under 18s. I rang GP and no appointments for 10 days but I was allowed to apply via e-consult for a telephone call from a GP. I have done this so will hope for the best. I will try and do more investigations about a private paediatric consultation as I feel that it will be such a long time to get help via NHS.

OP posts:
Original poster
HappyBamboo · 08/12/2020 13:55

@CorianderQueen

Does she have an electric toothbrush? That could help
Hi. She does have an electric toothbrush but tends to use a normal one due to orthodontic braces.
OP posts:
Original poster
HappyBamboo · 08/12/2020 14:01

@Toddlerteaplease

Did she put something up there when she was younger and it's somehow still there. Yes she needs to see ENT.
I don't think she has ever put anything up her nose. I fear that her airways may have bee altered somewhat when someone threw a bag which hurt her nose a few years ago. We were told not to bring her into A and E when it happened. However, her nose has started to look a little crooked as she has got older, so we now wonder if it was broken in the incident.
OP posts:
BlueBottle19 · 08/12/2020 14:08

If she has braces is she definitely good at cleaning her teeth? Because its really easy for shit to build up around braces, or gums to become inflamed. Which obviously smells

Also wisdom teeth coming through can get food trapping or plaque build up

Could also be tonsil stones, sometimes gastro issues like reflux.

What does it smell like, is it more pooey or sickly? Is it all day or worse in the mornings? Snoring will cause bad breath in the morning as saliva dries. Can you smell it when she breaths through her nose or only her mouth?

I think you need to see a GP first, if its been going on for years I dont think Id jump straight in with a private consultation.

Original poster
HappyBamboo · 08/12/2020 14:35

@BlueBottle19

If she has braces is she definitely good at cleaning her teeth? Because its really easy for shit to build up around braces, or gums to become inflamed. Which obviously smells

Also wisdom teeth coming through can get food trapping or plaque build up

Could also be tonsil stones, sometimes gastro issues like reflux.

What does it smell like, is it more pooey or sickly? Is it all day or worse in the mornings? Snoring will cause bad breath in the morning as saliva dries. Can you smell it when she breaths through her nose or only her mouth?

I think you need to see a GP first, if its been going on for years I dont think Id jump straight in with a private consultation.

Her breath smells like mothballs when really bad. Definitely worse in mornings, but would be bad all day if she didn't use mouthwash. By afternoon, even the mouthwash can't disguise it. I will definitely try and get the GP to look into it. I am expecting a telephone from the GP in the next 24 hours, so hopefully something will come of this! I do wonder if she could clean teeth more effectively. The orthodontist has never said she isn't cleaning her teeth well enough. I think that the bad breath preceded the braces, but it wasn't as bad as it is now.
OP posts:
StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 08/12/2020 15:51

Get her a water flosser, i got recently that comes with attachments for getting into braces, and a tongue scraper, its great and my mouth feels cleanest it ever has. Amazon have loads around £20 to £30. Also a good toothpaste and decent mouthwash. Electric brush should be ok with brace and are much better than manual one

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 08/12/2020 15:52

Also is she drinking enough water, dehydration can contribute to bad breath.

Original poster
HappyBamboo · 08/12/2020 18:26

@StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes

Get her a water flosser, i got recently that comes with attachments for getting into braces, and a tongue scraper, its great and my mouth feels cleanest it ever has. Amazon have loads around £20 to £30. Also a good toothpaste and decent mouthwash. Electric brush should be ok with brace and are much better than manual one
Will definitely get a water flosser. I have Googled and they look brilliant! Thank you for the advice.
OP posts:
FippertyGibbett · 08/12/2020 18:29

My DD had bad breath and for her it is solved by drinking the little yogurt drinks with the bugs in them. Her bad breath actually comes from her stomach.

DottyWott · 08/12/2020 18:36

It’s the mouth breathing. Multiple reasons for her doing that it sounds. ENT would be best placed to advise.

Original poster
HappyBamboo · 08/12/2020 18:47

@FippertyGibbett

My DD had bad breath and for her it is solved by drinking the little yogurt drinks with the bugs in them. Her bad breath actually comes from her stomach.
Good idea. I will get some of these!
OP posts:
Original poster
HappyBamboo · 08/12/2020 18:48

@DottyWott

It’s the mouth breathing. Multiple reasons for her doing that it sounds. ENT would be best placed to advise.
I certainly wouldn't be surprised.
OP posts:
PicsInRed · 08/12/2020 18:52

Mothballs?

Could she have diabetes? Does she drink a lot of water?

strawberriesunited · 08/12/2020 18:56

I had bad breath and always getting tonsillitis and i had tonsil stones! Could squish all the gunk out.. it was horrific! Had them removed and it has been far better ever since

autumnboys · 08/12/2020 18:59

I see it’s been said, but live yoghurt has really helped one of mine and also encouraging lots of water. I have an easiyo yoghurt maker and make a couple of kg a week (two teens and a tween!)

autumnboys · 08/12/2020 19:02

Also, if she has tonsil stones, I find a blackhead extractor to be really useful for getting at them. I have one spot where they sometimes form.

dottycat123 · 08/12/2020 19:49

If it cleared up with antibiotics then tonsil stones are very likely. My DH suffered with these, once he had his tonsils out he was cured.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 08/12/2020 20:00

There no chance that she smokes? I have a friend whose breath smells like somethings died if he's been smoking.