DH quit smoking but his breath still smells.

[NoDibbity]

He's had a breath problem the last few years. I thought it was due to smoking and drinking. But he's given both up now for 6 months.

Which is amazing but he still has smelly breath.

Thing is, he gets really upset when I mention it. Nobody wants to hear that do they?

He brushes his teeth morning and night. He probably does need a professional clean but no chance of getting in at NHS dentist for just that.

He drinks alot of tea and full sugar coke too.

He just came in and spoke to me and he breath made me recoil and he said what's wrong but I couldn't tell him because last time I told him he gave up smoking to try and stop it (amongst other reasons) and I just feel mean saying it :(

Oral thrush? Might need antibiotics. Improving gut health improves your breath.

If he had oral thrush he would have a white coating on his tongue so would probably know about it. It would be treated with anti fungals not antibiotics. How is his oral hygiene?

No thrush.

His dental hygiene consists of brushing twice a day. That's it. No flossing or mouthwash.

Should I subtly encourage both?

If you’re lucky enough (!) to have a dentist I’d send him for a hygienist appointment. Another thing that can cause this is tonsil stones (the Mail has had a fixation with this one in the past) where muck builds up in craggy areas around the throat and where the ear canal joins the nose and throat. Nasal polyps can also cause phlegm and stuff to hang around.

Second the issue of tonsil stones - have had them myself and they smell dreadful. Also, how are his sinuses? I get a weird taste in the back of my throat when I have a sinus infection (even when no other symptoms beyond my perpetual stuffy nose) - and possibly my breath smells a bit too (tho DH has never said anything).

Definitely tell him to start flossing. It does wonders for bad gums.

Tongue cleaning
Tonsil stones.

He needs to see the hygienist, is probably under £50 privately. Also try corsodyl gum and breath toothpaste.

I'd get a one off private appointment with the hygienist, probably a dentist too to be honest just to check all is good.

Interdental Brushes are better than floss. They're easier to use as well.

Oh god I occasionally get tonsil stones, I know about it because my breath tastes bad and I have a special tool that I use to dig about and poke them out. They stink; like rotten… something. Can’t quite put my finger on it but I can bloody tell you when I’ve got one! If it IS tonsil stones though I’m not sure your dentist will be able to do anything about it, is this something they will do? It’s not actually on your teeth although obviously it is within the mouth.

Flossing is a must especially after mid 30s. That’s where the smell builds up. It could be all he needs tbh.

Interdental brushes are more effective than floss, but floss is a good place to start.

He might have gum disease, this is commonly caused by smoking. It could also be staining on the plaque on his teeth which makes them look yellow/brown and will smell.

Either can be determined with a trip to the dentist.

Bad breath can also be a sign of other health problems - worth booking in to see the GP IMO.

can You look at the cost of going private? I’ve had to and it’s not as expensive as I feared I’ve had to have two hygiene visits after 8 years of no dentist (no nhs accepted in area when I’ve looked over the years) and they were £65 each session.

I signed up to the higher tier of denplan they had due to gum disease and it’s £15 a month. Got one hygiene visit free under it and paid for other.

My guess is old trapped food covered in bacteria between his teeth.
Like a PP said, the interdental sticks will bring it out.
The smell on the sticks afterwards will prove the point 🤢

He really needs to floss or use interdental brushes, I expect they will absolutely stink on first use

As others have said flossing but a tongue scraper is a must, he’s probably got plaque buildup up on his tongue.

Flossing and mouthwash. When I used to smoke my dentist told me that smoking can hide gum disease - I can't remember the explanation why - and that sometimes smokers don't notice the issues until they give up. But flossing and mouthwash should deal with it assuming it's not hugely advanced.

Exhaust the obvious things first though!
No good wasting GP time if he just needs a good floss!

Could be gingivitis? Do his gums bleed?

Corsodyl toothpaste is good stuff. Try it anyway as the day to day toothpaste.

If he’ll let you shine a torch down his throat it could be tonsil stones? At the very least, see if you can get a private hygienist appointment.

Perhaps bleeding gums and embarrassed to say? Definitely recommend a trip to hygienist.

You need to tell him so that he gets a once off professional clean and then if it still smells a few days later, go to the GP for a check.

Are you sure he's not sneaking a cigarette here and there?

You need to tell him about his breath. It might be a health issue.

Yes, I was going to suggest this.

Try a copper tongue cleaner, they are amazing