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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Boss telling me my mouth smells

86 replies

SugarnetMum · 10/05/2017 20:33

I brush my teeth every morning before work obviously, shower etc. My boss has told me twice in the last two weeks while pointing at his mouth that there is a smell from my "mouth" no one else has ever told me this including my boyfriend who I'm with every minute of the day! Or mother etc
I've now resorted to being paranoid constantly smelling my breath and bringing chewing gum.. Aibu to think he's just a dickhead? Trying to put me down?

He usually only says it if I'm correcting him on something regarding work....

Although hes pretty straight forward and tells me to tell him if there's ever something on his face or a smell..

:S I feel horrible and smelly even though I'm always clean..

OP posts:

Cantusethatname · 10/05/2017 22:27

Go to the dentist and ask them.
They will tell you honestly and do a check up as well.
It will be money well spent.

HateSummer · 10/05/2017 22:28

Do dentists actually have to smell the teeth to diagnose bad breath?

Cantusethatname · 10/05/2017 22:32

I wouldn't have thought so but they are guaranteed to give an honest and professional opinion on the OPs breath and will also have solutions.

NiceCuppaTeaAndASitDown · 10/05/2017 22:36

It could potentially be down to tonsil stones. No matter how good your dental hygiene is, if you have crypts in your tonsils those can fill up with plaque and it does smell.
You have to sort of squeeze them out to get rid of them.

29Palms · 10/05/2017 22:41

My stepfather once told me that my breath smelled bad. I ignored him because nobody else had said so, and I thought he might just be trying to upset me (he had form for that).

As it turned out, one of my teeth was quietly and painlessly rotting away on the inside. This was discovered at a routine check-up, and the dentist was shocked at how fast it had happened, since I'd had X rays at the previous appointment in which nothing had shown up.

So I'd be off to the dentist pronto.

CauliflowerSqueeze · 10/05/2017 22:58

That's horrible the way he led you along with that line of questioning. Yes by all means book a dental appointment but I would be coming back with raising an issue about his personal hygiene. Who the fuck does he think he is?

cantbefaffedd · 10/05/2017 23:07

For you're own peace of mind see a dentist. They won't lie to you. However, I think he's either trying to make you feel like shit or doesn't like being corrected the poor lamb.

Wolfiefan · 10/05/2017 23:11

I'm sorry but if you haven't been to the dentist in years then there could actually be an issue.
Coffee does make the breath stink and not just after you've had a cup either!

Brogadaccio · 10/05/2017 23:16

is it instant coffee you drink?

I do really hate instant coffee breath. But normal real coffee doesn't make bad breath I don't think hope

Yes go to the dentist!

YNK · 10/05/2017 23:23

Use the old MN saying "do you mean to be so rude?"

avamiah · 10/05/2017 23:41

OP doesn't seem to be around?
Has she made a comment since her first post as I don't want to waste my time giving advice if this is not a genuine thread.
Any thoughts anyone?

angelikacpickles · 10/05/2017 23:43

The OP has posted four times since her original post.

UrsulaPandress · 10/05/2017 23:47

Try highlighting the OP's posts.

avamiah · 10/05/2017 23:49

I can only find one,

avamiah · 10/05/2017 23:52

Apologies to OP,
Yes I have found all your posts.

FurryLittleTwerp · 10/05/2017 23:56

Ask someone who doesn't matter - your GP or dentist.

I'm a GP & the other week was asked about smelly breath - there really wasn't a smell - nothing "socially" obvious & nothing apparent when I examined the nose & mouth - the patient's husband was just being an arse

NoMudNoLotus · 10/05/2017 23:59

Rotting tooth , tonsil stones or bad gums all of which smell.

Do you ever spit blood when you brush your teeth ?

Notmyrealname85 · 11/05/2017 00:06

The bloke near to me at work had terrible breath - shiny white teeth but turns out he never flossed and he only ever drinks coffee. Got them fixed but still has coffee breath yuk

lucyandpoppy123 · 11/05/2017 00:07

Tongue scraper...buy from boots. Apparently 70% of bad smells originate from the tongue. I used to have bad tonsil stones which led to smelly breath and bouts of tonsillitis but since using this its made a big difference.
Also make sure you change your toothbrush head every 4 months. I also use 'Leila activated charcoal powder' (also boots) and it is really good, also whitens teeth

BertieBotts · 11/05/2017 00:23

I get terrible breath, filmy tongue gunk and tonsil stones but flossing regularly fixes all of this for me. Mouthwash does precisely nothing, and can actually cause harm so I only use it very rarely now.

Do go to the dentist. I was anxious about it for years but when I did go it wasn't as bad as I thought. But if I'd gone earlier I wouldn't have needed as much doing. Something useful is to just book a check up and tell them before you even sit down in the chair that you only want them to look and you don't want to have anything done today. I know it can feel like you have to say "Yes" when lying down otherwise, but you don't. Or seek out a dentist who deals specifically with nervous patients/dental phobia.

avamiah · 11/05/2017 00:27

In my opinion I don't think the main issue and problem is OP's teeth or if she has bad breath or not.The problem is her boss,and I think he was very unprofessional and acted very inappropriately by saying she had bad breath and pointing to her mouth.
OP also states in one of her posts that he treats all female employees the same?

avamiah · 11/05/2017 00:30

OP,
In what way does your boss treat all female employees the same?
Surely he doesn't say they all have bad breath?

Underbeneathsies · 11/05/2017 00:32

Yes to going to a dentist, asap. In the meantime use a decent mouthwash and remember to brush your tongue. Oraldede is a good mouthwash.

I absolutely loath people's breath if they don't brush their teeth, or worse still their tongues!
IMVHO there's nothing worse than someone who's eagerly defending an opinion face to face and their breath honks to the heavens. I just want to back away and try not to retch.

Maybe you have tonsil stones, they can really be stinky.

Or alternatively your boss is an arse and trying to shut you down. Your dentist will advise about your gums, teeth, tonsil stones, and oral hygiene.

scootinFun · 11/05/2017 00:43

A quick dentist check up will Id any issues that could cause your breath to smell. If there's nothing he may well be winding you up but at least you'll know for certain!

TheNiffler · 11/05/2017 00:51

Sinuses? XH used to have awful sinus problems, and the first sign was always bad breath.

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