Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

CHRONIC bad breath. It affects my whole life....

48 replies

Shikamiri · 17/12/2024 17:42

Just that really, I'm at my total wits end and don't know what to do about it. Firstly, let me say that my dentist loves me. Gums, teeth, tongue everything in tip top condition, I mentioned it to him and he referred me to the hygienist who said there was no dental reason why my breath should smell so referred me to the GP. I've been to the doctors sooooo many times about the same issue over the years, taken many courses of antibiotics which the GP gave me because they didn't know what else to do, had my tonsils removed because I suffered with tonsil stones at the time (teenager) and I thought that would cure it as I know tonsils stones stink but no, it has carried on into my 50's. I recently went back to my GP because I was in H&M recently and the shop assistant got a bit close atr the self service till and actually recoiled when I spoke to her. The GP referred me to ENT, they put a camera down my nose and found nothing.
I'm not imagining it, many people have told me over the years that I have bad breath. I wont even get into a relationship or kiss anyone because of it and I've now been single for over 10 years. I'm very careful not to stand close to people in case I have to speak unexpectedly which can be really awkward at times. I've spent so much money on different toothpastes, sprays, mouthwashes, I floss and brush my tongue daily and change my toothbrush weekly. I make sure i'm hydrated, dont drink coffee or alcohol but do smoke very occasionally but its not cigarette breath, its more fecal, sometimes I can smell it myself coming out of my nose as well and my mouth always tastes sour, even just after brushing Does anyone have any experience of this, or have any advice that might help? I've tried everything I can think of.

OP posts:
username299 · 17/12/2024 17:44

Have you tried pro biotics?

rararararararar · 17/12/2024 17:44

could it be unrelated to mouth but more gut? I would say get yourself some decent probiotics (to reset the healthy / bad bacteria balance) and start oil pulling with coconut oil once a day. Think about diet perhaps and perhaps it's related to stomach rather than mouth?

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 17/12/2024 17:45

Have you ever been referred to a gastroenterologist?
If not then ask your gp for that.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Whatatodo79 · 17/12/2024 17:46

Yes you might need to talk to your gp about your terrible heartburn needing an endoscopy

LunaNorth · 17/12/2024 17:46

Gastroenterologist, and in the meantime take peppermint capsules. I found out by accident they make my breath smell minty.

Turmerictolly · 17/12/2024 17:47

I also think k this might be gut related. What is your diet like? Do you drink enough water? Too much dairy can cause bad breath or any other imbalances, missing meals etc. Start with looking that your diet and take a good probiotic.

Frith2013 · 17/12/2024 17:48

I presume they looked for GERD/reflux ?

TheHallmarkedMan · 17/12/2024 17:48

It sounds like stomach breath

Copernicus321 · 17/12/2024 17:49

With gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the muscle between your esophagus and stomach doesn't close properly. As a result, the contents of your stomach can back up into your esophagus. If you have GERD, your breath may sometimes smell sour, like partially digested food.

Shikamiri · 17/12/2024 17:49

TheHallmarkedMan · 17/12/2024 17:48

It sounds like stomach breath

is that an actual thing?

OP posts:
Shikamiri · 17/12/2024 17:50

Frith2013 · 17/12/2024 17:48

I presume they looked for GERD/reflux ?

no, the only investigations i've had were the recent camera in nose

OP posts:
Shikamiri · 17/12/2024 17:50

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 17/12/2024 17:45

Have you ever been referred to a gastroenterologist?
If not then ask your gp for that.

i'll do that tomorrow thank you

OP posts:
Frith2013 · 17/12/2024 17:50

To be very honest, when my GERD was at its worst, it smelled a bit like poo.

Shikamiri · 17/12/2024 17:52

Turmerictolly · 17/12/2024 17:47

I also think k this might be gut related. What is your diet like? Do you drink enough water? Too much dairy can cause bad breath or any other imbalances, missing meals etc. Start with looking that your diet and take a good probiotic.

I'm certain its gut related. Diet quite good, water intake could be improved but not terrible. I do drink a lot of herbal tea throughout the day, without sugar and tend to drink water at home

OP posts:
Shikamiri · 17/12/2024 17:53

Frith2013 · 17/12/2024 17:50

To be very honest, when my GERD was at its worst, it smelled a bit like poo.

thats interesting..... I wonder if you can have lifelong GERD??

OP posts:
Shikamiri · 17/12/2024 17:53

username299 · 17/12/2024 17:44

Have you tried pro biotics?

yes but probably not for long enough, will definitely revisit

OP posts:
WalterdelaMare · 17/12/2024 17:53

I know 2 people that have fecal breath, so I feel very sorry for you. Rather mortifyingly, I asked one of them who was a passenger in my car if she’d trodden in dog shit, before I realised it was her breath. I’ve read it can be related to GERD or even bowel issues?

Jellycats4life · 17/12/2024 17:54

I agree it definitely sounds like a problem with your stomach or gut.

Frith2013 · 17/12/2024 17:55

Shikamiri · 17/12/2024 17:53

thats interesting..... I wonder if you can have lifelong GERD??

Waves, sadly.

It goes away if I lose enough weight and eat only small meals, put the head of the bed up on books, don't exercise too hard etc.

It seems that it comes back hard if you eat 4 mince pies in 2 days.

I've had reflux my whole life.

WomenInConstruction · 17/12/2024 17:56

Hmmm, I wonder if am these attempts to sterilise your digestive tract (which starts at the mouth and all the way down of course) hasn't just totally wrecked your natural healthy flora.

I can see why you would do this if you had a problem but how can you body smell right if all the good bacteria that should be present is scrubbed/anti bacterial away all the time?

Maybe a temporary problem has become chronic because the natural balance hasn't restored.

But I'm not an expert, so maybe there is a better explanation.

In your shoes I think I'd try to cultivate natural gut biota maybe even fecal transplant. The therapy one of the guests on this programme explains:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0025l5c?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Best Medicine - Series 2 - 3. Sleep, FMTs, Dr Charles Drew, Stem Cell Transplantation - BBC Sounds

Laura Smyth on sleep, strangers become blood brothers, and what exactly is a ‘crapsule’?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0025l5c?origin=share-mobile&partner=uk.co.bbc

Confusedmama21 · 17/12/2024 18:23

Hidden tonsil stones?

userbell · 17/12/2024 18:26

My dd age 17 suffers from this, again perfect oral health we found out the cause is gut issues from her having Dysautonomia she was prescribed Omeprazole and a difflam mouth wash and it's fixed the problem

itsmylife7 · 17/12/2024 18:28

Any changes in your voice at all ?

WhatMe123 · 17/12/2024 18:33

Is your blood sugar level ok? When it goes too low or high it can affect breath, you break down ketones and this smells. Also is your level if hydration ok? How is your tongue health? Is it clean or does it have a layer on it? That can affect breath

letshavetea · 17/12/2024 18:35

Also check with your dentist if any cause there?