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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:
Fuzzyandwarm · 17/12/2024 18:38

Definitely push your GP for more help but in the meantime you could try the following:
Peppermint capsules
Peppermint tea
Activated charcoal tablets every day

twobluehorses · 17/12/2024 18:48

bad breath is very frequently down to not drinking enough. water intake makes a massive difference. If you up your water intake significantly and it hasn't helped then thats one thing ruled out very easily.

FatAlec · 17/12/2024 18:50

Peppermint soft gels might help. They make your burps minty so if it's stomach smell related it would quite possibly help.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

MumofCrohnie · 17/12/2024 18:52

DD had this before her Crohn's was diagnosed (she had digestive issues too, but the bad breath was an early symptom).

applemash · 17/12/2024 18:56

Agree with investigating medically.

The best probiotic from actual clinical studies is Symprove.

Also, invest in a metal tongue scraper - it removes the film on your tongue which is bacterial

user1469571538 · 11/02/2025 12:08

Hello,
by any chance, did you find a cure? Thanks

user1469571538 · 11/02/2025 20:16

Hi,
did you find a cure?
I am facing similar issues and tried lots of thins to no avail.

Greendress22 · 08/03/2025 22:53

I would be keen to know if the OP or anyone found a cure. I am really struggling with mine. My husband says I don’t have bad breath but other people have made sneaky comments or gestures.

MsFogi · 08/03/2025 22:57

My DC also had this before Crohns was diagnosed - with hindsight, it was one of the first symptoms.

rararararararar · 08/03/2025 23:13

Greendress22 · 08/03/2025 22:53

I would be keen to know if the OP or anyone found a cure. I am really struggling with mine. My husband says I don’t have bad breath but other people have made sneaky comments or gestures.

have you seen your dentist? could be gum disease or bone issues.

NameChanges123 · 08/03/2025 23:19

Confusedmama21 · 17/12/2024 18:23

Hidden tonsil stones?

I was thinking this. I get them down my throat...

glittercunt · 08/03/2025 23:22

I've had gerd my whole life, there's also post nasal drip which can make breath a bit funny.

Greendress22 · 09/03/2025 16:01

I have gerd and then tonsil stones (on occasion). My Dentist said I don’t have anything to worry about and couldn’t detect anything but it’s hard as I clean my teeth the second before I see him. It’s just tough as husband says he can’t smell anything but I know others can by reactions. So annoying!

Romi9 · 07/05/2025 18:40

Greendress22 · 09/03/2025 16:01

I have gerd and then tonsil stones (on occasion). My Dentist said I don’t have anything to worry about and couldn’t detect anything but it’s hard as I clean my teeth the second before I see him. It’s just tough as husband says he can’t smell anything but I know others can by reactions. So annoying!

I too have your own disgusting problem :-(

Obelism · 24/05/2025 17:36

Just tacking onto the end of this thread in search of some help/answers. Sadly, my DH has this problem. It’s absolutely horrific, to the point where I can’t actually bear to be within breathing distance of him. He just won’t address it despite me trying to communicate how awful it is.

Increasingly I feel I need to be honest and tell him it’s truly nuclear-level awful. But even when I’ve been (fairly) blunt and said he needs to see his GP - he claims he’s asked his dentist and been told it isn’t a dental issue - he just blanks me.

I cringe whenever we have to be in company together as I know other people must be thinking WTF? It’s like something rotten that’s been dug up. I persuaded him to try daily capsules which do have some effect but if he forgets to take them (which he often does) it comes back just as bad as ever 🙁

I know it’s a terribly difficult problem to solve but at least if he’d try to address himself…sorry for the essay!

MsFogi · 24/05/2025 19:50

This (along with heartburn) was the first symptom of Crohns for my dc too. Do get it checked because Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis can do a lot of damage if left undiagnosed.

BrickJoker · 24/05/2025 19:53

That's disgusting. Clearly you aren't taking proper hygienic care of your mouth one way or another. Brush for 5 minutes with a fresh-breath toothpaste, floss twice a day, use strongest Listerine mouthwash.

WalterdelaMare · 24/05/2025 20:07

MsFogi · 08/03/2025 22:57

My DC also had this before Crohns was diagnosed - with hindsight, it was one of the first symptoms.

This is really interesting and something I’ve only recently learned. My sister (fanatical about dental hygiene) suffers from faecal smelling breath and really suffers with (what I suspect to be ) IBD type issues. I might pluck up courage to discuss it with her.

SherlocksHome · 24/05/2025 20:13

BrickJoker · 24/05/2025 19:53

That's disgusting. Clearly you aren't taking proper hygienic care of your mouth one way or another. Brush for 5 minutes with a fresh-breath toothpaste, floss twice a day, use strongest Listerine mouthwash.

Omg, are you for real? Have you even read the OP post, never mind ALL the other posts suggesting it’s almost definitely gut related?

Christ, you sound ignorant, judgemental and quite frankly, a bit dim.

SabbatWheel · 24/05/2025 20:19

Are you lactose intolerant? DD is and it was picked up age 6 after discussing her foul poo breath with the dentist. It was suggested as a possibility and turned out to be correct.

DeSoleil · 24/05/2025 22:38

Oral candidiasis?

Communitywebbing · 24/05/2025 22:41

Sounds like a digestive problem. My DH gets terrible breath a few hours after he eats something that disagrees with him. Nothing to do with teeth or hygiene.

Picklechicken · 24/05/2025 22:41

BrickJoker · 24/05/2025 19:53

That's disgusting. Clearly you aren't taking proper hygienic care of your mouth one way or another. Brush for 5 minutes with a fresh-breath toothpaste, floss twice a day, use strongest Listerine mouthwash.

So helpful from someone who clearly can’t even be bothered to read.

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