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Original poster

Told my breathe smells

120 replies

Spottyhippo · 25/02/2022 18:43

My lovely boss had to have this conversation with me today. She was as gentle and as nice as she could be. But it has been mentioned by a client and a coworker.

I floss and brush my teeth twice a day. I'm not gross I promise. But I do have quite a nasty infection in a wisdom tooth that I'm waiting for the dental hospital to see me about because it's too awkward for my normal dentist.

Anyway I'm going to start eating mints/ gum throughout the day to hopefully deal with things. But how do I deal with the embarrassment? I cried in front of my boss which I've never done in work before ever. She let me go home an hour early because I was upset so I know all my coworkers will know that I've been upset and will probably know why. And I just feel like I want to run away not have to face Monday. Any tips? Sad

OP posts:
RosiePosieDozy · 25/02/2022 19:58

That's really horrible for you. Having to deal with the pain and discomfort of the repeated infections and then be thinking that your colleagues are talking about it.

I would seriously consider going on some kind of leave until the tooth has been extracted and you have recovered. Or you could go to see a private dentist if you can afford it.

WildPoinsettia · 25/02/2022 19:59

@Spottyhippo

Yes I told my boss about the infection. Still doesn’t make it any less embarrassing. She told me it wouldn’t be fair on me or coworkers or clients if it continues. Which I know. Feels a bit of a threat at the same time though. Sort it or be out of a job. I will mention it to the dentist.
There's one more option if you can't sort it. Go off sick. I know it sounds drastic but if you're in a client facing role then you can't realistically represent the company whe you have bad breath.

I've worked with people who's breath smells awful and TBH it is grim and I'd always be holding my breath around them and hoping I didn't have to speak to them today, even if they were lovely people. Other people would comment too but nobody made it official. So I can imagine it's really quite bad if people have felt the need to speak to the boss about it.

It's awful for you because it's not a hygiene problem that you can fix tomorrow and forever after, you're reliant on medical care to cure it. So if you can't bring things back to a manageable level then going off sick until it's sorted makes sense to me. I'd speak to your boss again too. There's no reason she can't write you a letter outlining that your medical problem with the tooth/bad breath is causing an issue at work and you've received a verbal warning about it. Might help get you bumped up the list for treatment.

Original poster
Spottyhippo · 25/02/2022 20:03

I think the issue with the infection is it’s under a tooth that is so awkward and that has stupid roots as well to compound the problem that it can only be removed at the dental hospital. And the waiting list for the hospital is crazy. I can’t afford to go on sick leave and only get SSP for potentially many weeks.

I’m mortified about my breath. My DH said it smells fine to him. He must be accustomed to the smell ones. Sad

I have ordered a Water Pic and a tongue brush on the back of this thread so thank you.

OP posts:

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General health
monsterpup · 25/02/2022 20:04

@Spottyhippo

Yes I told my boss about the infection. Still doesn’t make it any less embarrassing. She told me it wouldn’t be fair on me or coworkers or clients if it continues. Which I know. Feels a bit of a threat at the same time though. Sort it or be out of a job. I will mention it to the dentist.
This seems unfair to me. It's a medical condition for which you are seeking care, sure you can attempt the suggestions previous posters have given but it's not a hygiene issue,it's a medical one that's outwith your control!
Tillyvonpantsalo · 25/02/2022 20:09

I'd send an email. Ask your colleagues of theyd like to set up a go fund me to pay for your treatment privately.

Seriously, OP, don't worry. Try some of the tips but please don't be upset about it.

Twodogsandababy · 25/02/2022 20:09

I am incredibly paranoid about my breath smelling and am always trying to keep it fresh.
I do:

  1. Floss with a floss pick (I have very small gaps between my teeth and regular floss splits between them but the picks don’t)
  2. Then brush (three minute deep clean setting with my electric toothbrush) - you want to floss before you brush or you’ll just loosen all the smelly bits from between your teeth onto your nice clean teeth!
  3. Quick brush of the tongue with the toothbrush
  4. Tongue scraper
  5. The breath company mouthwash - this is magic!! The only thing I’ve ever used that makes my mouth feel totally clean and doesn’t sting like listerine. I think it says it works for 24 hours if used twice a day.
Elieza · 25/02/2022 20:10

Please don’t eat mints as they rot your teeth and then you’ll have even more problems.
I’ve been there. Regret it now.

Don’t eat lots of sugar free mints either as they give you diarrhoea.

I too would suggest wearing a mask if you can at client meetings.

Hope you get your tooth sorted soon.

NanaRant · 25/02/2022 20:13

I am not sure if you would consider natural remedies until you can get treatment?
As a PP has suggested, probiotics are great for breathe issues. I would also recommend oregano - you can buy the capsules on amazon or the pure essential oil combines with a base oil rubbed into the soles of your feet. This is a natural antibiotic.
Awful for you and hope this helps.

WildPoinsettia · 25/02/2022 20:13

You could tell your colleagues you went home early because the pain in your infected tooth was so bad

LemonGelato · 25/02/2022 20:13

@Spottyhippo Yes they were mortified (as you are) but it got sorted. One had dentures and (I think) just wasn't cleaning them enough and keeping an eye of trapped food after eating. Another person had digestive issues causing the problem and it took a long time for them to get that sorted as it was diet and medication related (and included burping as well). I think talking to their direct colleagues and acknowledging there was a problem, whilst hugely embarrassing, helped. Colleagues knowing the person was trying meant they were a lot more tolerant. Dentures person asked manager and 2 nice office sharing colleagues to tell them if it got a bit whiffy.

Harder where staff member was customer facing, they sometimes got someone else to deal with customers when it was very bad and again workmates knowing why helped a lot.

Honestly, most people want to be kind. How would you react if this was a colleague of yours - of course you'd be nice.

pawpaws2022 · 25/02/2022 20:14

@AleynEivlys

Get a Tung brush and Tung gel - bacteria from the infection will be colonising on your tongue, where food particles love to hide as it's like a big shaggy carpet, so keeping everything scrupulously clean until you can get it sorted will surely help. Make sure to brush gums, cheeks and the roof of the mouth as well. It isn't your fault though. What a horrid thing to happen. ☹️
That stuff is a game changer. So much better than a scraper
monsterpup · 25/02/2022 20:17

@Spottyhippo

I work in Marketing we have lots of meetings with lots of important clients so I get it. I’ll spend the weekend licking my wounds and hopefully will be brave enough to face Monday.
I wonder if you could maybe get out in front of it in a way

"Sorry guys, got a killer abscess in my tooth so I'll keep my face mask on to save you all from it until I can get it out!"

Bookridden · 25/02/2022 20:20

One thing I can promise you: however upset and ashamed you are feeling, this will pass and people won't be thinking about this. You are taking action to remedy any problem. You might feel awkward for a day or two, but your colleagues won't care about it. They'll all be too worried about their own lives. So you have an infection that made your breath smell a bit? No biggie, and everyone has bad breath at times. No-one deserves to feel bad for such a human and frequent occurrence.

WonderfulYou · 25/02/2022 20:26

Oh no!
That’s so awful to hear but it’s better that you know.

One good thing is that they’ve not mentioned this before so you must have previously been fine.

I’m paranoid my breath smells and everyone’s just too polite to say anything. I always check for tonsils stones, brush my tongue and buy breath spray which you can get from most supermarkets and I use after I’ve eaten/drank coffee. I also try and drink water often too.
I don’t know if any will help but it might make you feel better.

If you wanted you could email your colleagues and explain about your tooth and apologise but say thank you for pointing it out - it might help break the ice and have that conversation without having it in person.

MoreHairyThanScary · 25/02/2022 20:35

Have you checked you don't have tonsil stones as well as they can be really unpleasant too..

TheVolturi · 25/02/2022 20:35

You poor thing! I can completely understand you must be mortified. Unless you resign though you are going to have to just put on a brave face, but I think the idea of sending an email to explain about your abscess is a good one. If you have otherwise good hygiene then everyone will understand and most likely feel sorry for you!

doublemonkey · 25/02/2022 20:38

@cultkid

Ultradex is amazing for neutralising your breath

So so so so sorry you're suffering and you've also had to go through such an embarrassing and sad situation today.

Thinking of you xxx

I was just coming on to recommend Ultradex too.

It's expensive but it's the best thing on the market. It doens't taste of anything although there's a little sachet of mint flavour in the box if you want to add that.

It's not masking, it's actually killing bacteria. It's a game changer.

IlkaDoxie · 25/02/2022 20:44

@NannyGythaOgg

As well as antibiotics for the infection which should get things under control have you thought of using a water pic.

I don't have an infection but using a water pic took away a horrible taste in my mouth.

THIS Water flossers are a million times better than thread in my experience. Plus Corsodyl gum spray and, as someone else mentioned, a tongue scraper will help. Feel for you, OP. Hope you get it sorted soon. x Flowers
WouldIwasShookspeared · 25/02/2022 20:45

While you are waiting for the treatment you need buy some minty breath sprays and use them frequently.

Butteredtoast55 · 25/02/2022 20:46

Lots of good ideas here so I have nothing to add other than lots of sympathy for the discomfort and a comforting hug for the mortification.
Of course, it will only have been a couple of people who have mentioned it to your boss and they are doing it because they like you and want you to be OK, not to be horrible. It's good that your boss has spoken to you. I have lost my sense of smell and have asked a few trusted colleagues to tell me if ever I smell or have killer breath as I really would have no idea and would much rather know!

C152 · 25/02/2022 20:48

@Spottyhippo

Yes I told my boss about the infection. Still doesn’t make it any less embarrassing. She told me it wouldn’t be fair on me or coworkers or clients if it continues. Which I know. Feels a bit of a threat at the same time though. Sort it or be out of a job. I will mention it to the dentist.
That is really shit of your boss. You told her you had a medical problem, which you have sought treatment for and you are waiting to see a specialist, who will be able to solve the issue; and her response was a veiled threat that you'd be out of a job if it wasn't sorted?! I'd be keeping notes of that conversation, ready for a complaint to HR in case this escalates at a later point, or is raised in a review meeting as some sort of pathetic reason to penalise you.

I know it is easy for someone else to say, but try not to worry too much about your boss. And I know it's embarrassing, but you'll get past it. You know what the cause of the issue is and you know it will be sorted. Chew on a few mints immediately before a client meeting, floss and brush at work after lunch and drink plenty of water. Try out different mouthwashes - some work better for others and some work for longer. UltraDex is supposed to be good for bad breath.

Kfjsjdbd · 25/02/2022 20:50

This doesn’t help but I also cried at work today and am mortified about it. I also want to hand in my notice over the weekend and am going to be embarrassed on Monday. So you’ve made me feel less alone.

It sounds like you need tougher antibiotics?

Piggyk2 · 25/02/2022 20:50

Try corsodyl mouthwash OP. It stains teeth so you can't use it all the time. They do a toothpaste but it is VILE!

Buy a new toothbrush. Could you pay privately?

catfunk · 25/02/2022 20:50

Look into chlorohexdine mouthwash op - it kills bacteria and is so strong it isn't suitable for long term use but may help x

whysoserious123 · 25/02/2022 20:51

Aww bless you. It's just one of those embarrassing things that happen in life. Everyone has moments in life that are embarrassing ! Please don't run away and leave your job. Hold your head high! You have an infection you said yourself you know your not a first person and so do your co workers. You have an infection and that's that. It they can't offer you work from home just go on Monday head held high and think no more about it. Apparently eating an apple stops bad breath! Can you keep a mask on? Mints and mouthwash throughout the day and brush your teeth on your breaks. Also keep social distancing and blame Covid keep yourself hydrated as that helps and don't eat foods like tuna for lunch. Spray perfume and use a scented moisturiser and get some hairspray on your hair. All these smells with help. Bless you it's not your fault. No one would judge you for hobbling if you had a broken foot so no one should judge you for bad breath when you have an infection. Your boss seems lovely so there is no need to be embarrassed.