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Original poster

Stinky breath!

37 replies

SoTiredOfThis5 · 02/05/2024 22:12

Help. I'm so embarrassed but I'm at the end of my tether with this. The problem is me. I've had bad breath for as long as I can remember. I've been checked over by dentist, they couldn't find a reason for it. I've had my tonsils out. I have good oral hygiene, brush my teeth 2 sometimes 3 times a day. I floss, and use mouthwash. I use a tongue scraper. Within 10 minutes of brushing my teeth, its rotten again. Dentist said they can't smell it. Doctor said they can't smell anything. However I have had this for so long now and so many people have made comments, or whispers that I know for sure that I stink. I don't know what else to do. It's affecting every aspect of my life! I'm never ever without mints and chewing gum. I have some childhood/teenage fillings that I thought the smell could have been coming from but the dentist ruled that out. Does anyone have any ideas? I just want to be normal :(

OP posts:
1ittlegreen · 02/05/2024 22:15

Tonsil stones?

CurryandSnuggle · 02/05/2024 22:16

They’ve had their tonsils out so it can’t be tonsil stones

paulhollywoodshairgel · 02/05/2024 22:17

Are you sure it's not your sinuses? Maybe you've got an infection and you can smell/taste that??

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CurryandSnuggle · 02/05/2024 22:18

Do you have any piercings? Random but when I had a nose piercing it sometimes smelt bad when it needed a good clean!

MsMuffinWalloper · 02/05/2024 22:18

I was going to say tonsil stones but if you've had them out...?

Are you sure it's breath? Not nose? I'd see GP and ask if ENT might have a look.

Chukkachick · 02/05/2024 22:22

Do you tend to mouth breathe? Do you stay hydrated?

Have people made overt comments or could you be overthinking things to confirm your worries? Try the licking your wrist then blowing on it trick to see if it actually smells.

maybe your sense of smell or taste are altered for some reason, I’d push for an ENT opinion if your dentist is sure you’re fine.

Hopebridge · 02/05/2024 22:23

Does your breath smell sweet? Do you have any other symptoms? Any gastric issues?

dontcryformeargentina · 02/05/2024 22:25

Halitosis?

Original poster
SoTiredOfThis5 · 02/05/2024 22:26

paulhollywoodshairgel · 02/05/2024 22:17

Are you sure it's not your sinuses? Maybe you've got an infection and you can smell/taste that??

I don't know, I don't think so. I've had this problem for over 20 years now though.

OP posts:
strawberryandtomato · 02/05/2024 22:27

If the doctor and dentist can't smell it then I would say psychological issue here

Original poster
SoTiredOfThis5 · 02/05/2024 22:28

Hopebridge · 02/05/2024 22:23

Does your breath smell sweet? Do you have any other symptoms? Any gastric issues?

No definitely not sweet. I have an autoimmune condition that is well managed. I have a hiatus hernia. I thought it could be coming from my stomach but I'm not sure if that is the problem.

OP posts:
Original poster
SoTiredOfThis5 · 02/05/2024 22:34

Chukkachick · 02/05/2024 22:22

Do you tend to mouth breathe? Do you stay hydrated?

Have people made overt comments or could you be overthinking things to confirm your worries? Try the licking your wrist then blowing on it trick to see if it actually smells.

maybe your sense of smell or taste are altered for some reason, I’d push for an ENT opinion if your dentist is sure you’re fine.

Yes people have made overt comments as well as snide remarks. I'm 100% sure that it smells. I feel like saying that I know about it but I don't know why, but i chicken out.
Yes I mouth breathe, I can't sleep with my mouth closed. I bought a sinus rinse kit hoping it would help, but it didn't.
I drink about a litre of water throughout the day, however when I've drank more (2-3) it didn't help any.
When I pushed for an ENT appt years ago they took out my tonsils as I had tonsil stones. I thought that would be the end of my problem but the smell remains. ENT basically signed me off then.

OP posts:
Ilovemyshed · 02/05/2024 22:58

What's your diet. The worst breath I ever smelt was a work colleague who was veggie.

mondaytosunday · 02/05/2024 23:06

I was thinking it's your gut, especially if breathing through your mouth.

Efh · 02/05/2024 23:13

H pylori bacteria in stomach/digestive system - GP test for it in stool sample - could be the cause

Acid reflux can cause bad breath also

Efh · 02/05/2024 23:16

Leavingonapetjlane · 02/05/2024 23:06

Go here, seriously, I had exactly the same issues as you, it was mortifying. I went here and had a consultation, and then follow up sessions and my life, genuinely, was transformed

https://www.freshbreath.co.uk/

Thanks for posting this

I might give this a go - never knew such a place existed!

Leavingonapetjlane · 02/05/2024 23:27

Efh · 02/05/2024 23:16

Thanks for posting this

I might give this a go - never knew such a place existed!

Show quote history

I went about 15 years ago, they take you seriously from the start, and after my first session I went out to the pub, had loads of up close conversations with people, with no flinching, no moving away. My best friend kept making me blow in her face - she couldn't believe it. Anyway, as I said it was life changing for me in terms of confidence and dealing with people!

Lilacdew · 02/05/2024 23:32

Do you take regular medication? Years ago I was on antidepressants and they gave me really horrible bitter breath. I could see people reeling and ended up very self-conscious, speaking with my hand over my mouth. I had really good oral hygiene but the medicine just caused a really bitter smell.

Try drinking a lot of water, fruit and mint tea and eating fruit to sweeten the breath, as well as using mints or gum.

JanetRobertaSnakehole · 02/05/2024 23:58

Noticed you have a hiatal hernia, so I would guess your bad breath might be caused by acid reflux. It's a common symptom with GERD.

Do you have post nasal drip?

I have LPR (Laryngopharyngeal reflux) and bad breath. The only thing that helps for me is a low acid diet (Acid watcher diet) and not eating dairy, especially cheese.

Haggisfish3 · 03/05/2024 00:04

I second acid reflux. Caused horrid breath in an ex. Try omeprazole and see if it helps?

CitadelofRicks · 03/05/2024 00:06

Are you vegetarian? I have a couple of veggie friends and they are lovely but their breath is quite ripe

p2312 · 03/05/2024 00:18

amzn.eu/d/3A0Uubu

Search up Chlorophyll - it is like internal deodorant. Works well for body odour. Worth a try.

MrsMoastyToasty · 03/05/2024 00:19

Have you been tested for diabetes? Bad breath can be a symptom.

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