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 :(

And corsodyl mouthwash

Flossing and a tongue scraper. A hygenist is the best solution when he can get an appointment.

Standard hygienist appointment should have picked up any years?

Issues! Not "years". 😆 Been a long day.

It's because the smoking stops the blood vessels in the gums working properly so they don't bleed, which is one of the first signs of most types of gum disease.

OP, I suspect he needs a thorough scaling and assessment of periodontal health. Has he had a check up recently?

Lots of hygienists are direct access so can start there with an appointment for a clean and hopefully they can signpost. His diet sounds dire as well so it's possible there's decay which is trapping food for months on end which will fester and smell.

Other issues like tonsil stones and post nasal drip are very possible, I would suggest low down the list is an issue which the GP could help with. He should really get all dental issues excluded before going down this route.

I see a dental hygienist every six months. Do English people not do this?

Some of us do - but we have to pay and a lot of people don't do preventative dentistry, even when they can afford to..

He needs to go to a dentist for a good clean and check up. If you can't get a NHS one he needs to go private. Could be all kinds of dental things.

If that comes up with nothing he needs to go the Dr to rule out other medical issues.