17 year old with bad breath

[HappyBamboo]

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?

@PicsInRed

Mothballs?

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

Doesn't drink excessively so possibly not showing signs of diabetes. In fact, I am wondering if perhaps she may not drink enough thinking about it. Will have to encourage more drinks.

Defo don’t give up. I did. Big mistake.

The dentist said it came from my stomach.
The gp said it came from my teeth.
I went back and forth a few times and got nowhere. I was 17 and didn’t know to push back and insist on proper care.

I started eating mints. I didn’t even like mints and didn’t know they had sugar in them as I didn’t think I’d them like sweeties. My teeth rotted.

I honestly feel that if someone had actually treated the issue (it was both my stomach and a rotten tooth under a crown that had no root so no pain) then my teeth would be in almost perfect condition now. Instead of being full of fillings, as I never had a single filling while at school until age 16.

So you’re doing the right thing to help dc.

Mothballs smell sounds more like sinus odour. Does she get post nasal drip? Definitively start with your GP.
The common causes are poor oral hygiene, so make sure she's cleaning well and using interdentals or a air flosser/water pic
check if she has tonsil stones.
Is she dehydrated? Get her to up her water intake. Reduce caffeine if she has it.
Steroid nasal sprays and sinus lavage for post nasal drip.

@Elieza

Defo don’t give up. I did. Big mistake.

The dentist said it came from my stomach.
The gp said it came from my teeth.
I went back and forth a few times and got nowhere. I was 17 and didn’t know to push back and insist on proper care.

I started eating mints. I didn’t even like mints and didn’t know they had sugar in them as I didn’t think I’d them like sweeties. My teeth rotted.

I honestly feel that if someone had actually treated the issue (it was both my stomach and a rotten tooth under a crown that had no root so no pain) then my teeth would be in almost perfect condition now. Instead of being full of fillings, as I never had a single filling while at school until age 16.

So you’re doing the right thing to help dc.

That's so awful that they didn't help you effectively.

@MillyMollyMardy

Mothballs smell sounds more like sinus odour. Does she get post nasal drip? Definitively start with your GP. The common causes are poor oral hygiene, so make sure she's cleaning well and using interdentals or a air flosser/water pic check if she has tonsil stones. Is she dehydrated? Get her to up her water intake. Reduce caffeine if she has it. Steroid nasal sprays and sinus lavage for post nasal drip.

I previously wondered about sinus problems as my Dad has bad breath due to this. The GP said when I took her before that childrens' sinuses aren't developed enough to have problems which would lead to bad breath. I still wonder if it could be sinuses.

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

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

Definitely doesn't smoke, thank goodness. Limited coffee intake. When she does have coffee, breath is even worse.

I have definitely let the problem of the bad breath go on too long. It upsets her when I mention it. The fact that her boyfriend has now mentioned it has made me realise that I need to get it sorted.

Do you get her teeth cleaned every six months by a dental hygienist? This is especially important since she is in braces.

@PlanDeRaccordement

Do you get her teeth cleaned every six months by a dental hygienist? This is especially important since she is in braces.

No, we don't. I didn't know it was necessary. I will ask our dental practice if she can have this done.

Sounds lactose intolerant, I would avoid cows milk and yogurt etc. Also take a proper probiotic (capsule) not a yakult type thing (dairy).

My DD had orthodontic braces and drank diluted Apple cider vinegar regularly with no ill effects...you don't put much in a glass, just a spoon once a day.

Thank you @FortunesFave and @pilates. Both good ideas and definitely worth trying.

I just wanted to throw out another possibility that hasn't been mentioned yet.

My DH had bad breath for ages despite having very good oral hygiene. I checked for tonsil stones and couldn't see any. His GP told him to change his diet for a while but it didn't help so they did a stool sample test for the stomach bacteria H.pylori and he had it. It's extremely common, about 2/3 of the population have it but for some it doesn't cause any symptoms.

It's worth asking for a test because all the brushing and gargling in the world can't get rid of it if it comes from within.

I seem to remember that my DH took two types of pill (one an antibiotic?) for a few days and it cleared up overnight. The fact that your DD's was better with an antibiotic could also point to it being H.pylori.

It could be a number of things but seeing an ENT would be your first step.
I don’t know what orthodontist braces are but my daughter has Invisalign and tends to not to drink enough water causing smelly breath. Also has to clean very thoroughly as the aligners sit over the teeth.
It’s most probably her tonsils and adenoids causing the snoring. If the tonsils are inflamed the airways narrow.
If she is getting recurring tonsillitis a tonsillectomy may be the best course of action. I’d get into it soon though because the older the patient the more pain and bleeding there is.
Worth it though in the end.
I had mine out when I was 10 and used to get so sick all the time.
Yucky recovery but good choice by my parents.

If she has re-occurring tonsillitis ask GP about having her tonsils removed, this may help with the snoring too.

Thank you for your posts @Bees Ankles @Aldilogue. @letsdolunch321. They are very useful.

Update. The e-referral I made to GP has been successful. GP has booked appointment to see DD next week for examination with view to possible referral to ENT. I am so made up and so very grateful for all your advice. We will be able to go to the appointment so much better informed.

@HappyBamboo
Yes, two of my DC had orthodontic braces and we were told to have their teeth cleaned professionally by a dental hygienist every six months. This is to prevent decay from forming under the brace attachments on the teeth and also to clear out any hard to reach nooks and crannies that even the best toothbrush can’t get to. Build up of plaque and tartar in those areas definiteky would cause bad breath.

I had bad breath for years from about 15 yrs old. Absolutely ruined my school/university/young adult life due to lack of confidence etc.

Kept trying different things for years that I'd read about on the internet.

Eventually found out about netti-pots and nasal irrigation. Gave it a whirl and I'm pretty sure it's solved my issue. Use them twice a day. I'm still a bit paranoid but as I say I think it's solved my issue.

20 years of my life dealing with it and the solution was that simple.

If she has tonsil stones, she may have coughed one out in the past. Happened to me several times. Coughed hard and felt something in my mouth, little cream-coloured lumpy thing, which when squished smelled absolutely rank. Might be worth asking her if this has ever happened.
Glad she's got the appointment. I had bad breath for years because of them but it took until my mid-twenties before anything was done.