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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To help me stop being the smelly one

116 replies

Stinker12345 · 14/09/2021 13:48

I really need your help, I am the smelly person in the office and despite everything I do I can’t seem to change it.

I think the main thing is my breath. I brush, floss and use mouthwash every day and use a tongue scraper thing. I visit the dentist and hygienist twice a year each. I drink water, avoid onions and garlic. But still, people put their hands over their noses, stand back from me and try not to get close when I talk.

It means I don’t speak up in meetings, it’s really stressful when people come up to my desk unexpectedly. Usually I try and prepare for when I need to speak (gum, mints, mouthwash etc) so I hate being caught by surprise.

Masks have been a godsend but they are no longer a requirement since a few weeks and I can see it more and more when I speak to people.

I am a clean person, shower every day, wash clothes and bedding regularly but this makes me feel dirty and horrible. Has anyone any advice? It is getting me down so much, I want to curl up and die. I don’t have a partner so can’t ask them to smell me and I think everyone I work with thinks ‘I know why!’

Thank you

OP posts:
TinnedPotatoesRock · 14/09/2021 13:50

Tonsil stones?

dementedpixie · 14/09/2021 13:50

Have you asked your gp or dentist?

Wellonlyifihaveto · 14/09/2021 13:50

Tonsil stones?

DragonLegs · 14/09/2021 13:51

I would ask either your gp or dentist. Could be tonsil stones maybe if your oral and personal hygiene is good. Is it just when you speak the smell is bad?

RickJames · 14/09/2021 13:52

Sorry, that sounds really stressful.

Do you think it might be your stomach causing it rather than your teeth/ mouth? I've heard stomach can cause BB. I don't know how though, sorry.

JuneOsborne · 14/09/2021 13:53

Is there an underlying cause that needs treating? I'd go to my gp given that you go to your dentist regularly.

I'm wondering about helicobacter pylori. Very easily treated. Or tonsil stones. Or something gut related?

Perhaps, until it's sorted, you could suck on mints or a black jakemans every couple of hours?

You poor thing. I really feel for you.

RainBow725 · 14/09/2021 13:53

I've seen on other threads that it can be caused by gluten or dairy intolerance.

Cissyandflora · 14/09/2021 13:56

I would definitely ask your gp and your dentist and get them to be honest with you. I’m so sorry- this must be awful for you. Life is difficult enough. Good luck!

FirstTimeMommy2021 · 14/09/2021 13:56

😢

FirstTimeMommy2021 · 14/09/2021 13:57

My mums dentist told her it's likely coming from her stomach as she has IBS so not sure if you have a stomach issue which could be causing it?

supercalifragilistic123 · 14/09/2021 13:58

Mine was caused by impacted wisdom teeth.

Wingedharpy · 14/09/2021 14:01

Do you drink enough water?
Do you scrape far enough back with the tongue scraper?
Have you tried Tee-pee type interdental brushes rather than just floss?

FruityPastille · 14/09/2021 14:01

I get awful bad breath when my IBD is flaring.

I would visit the GP and see what they say - it's clearly not poor hygiene, so there must be an underlying cause

moynomore · 14/09/2021 14:01

But still, people put their hands over their noses, stand back from me and try not to get close when I talk.

Is this all you are going by or are you sure your breath is smelly? I don't like to get close to anyone at work and sometimes put my hand in front of my face if I've just eaten lunch and been caught off guard- I may have something in my teeth or lunch breath that I wouldn't want to inflict on you!

Could it be all in your head? Sorry if you know for a fact your mouth is smelly, but I wouldn't go by these other people's actions as proof.

Original poster
Stinker12345 · 14/09/2021 14:18

Thank you for your replies, it really is so horrible. I feel judged, it really is the worst thing to have wrong with you, in a social sense. As though I must have very low standards. I was in a meeting once where as soon as I started speaking with a client, they just started to look me up and down, almost to check what sort of person has bad breath Blush

I have asked both my dentist and hygienist who say I have excellent oral hygiene. When I mentioned it to my doctor they said there is nothing that they can think of - they didn’t seem that bothered about it to be honest.

I do have ulcerative colitis but that has been in remission for a few years now - maybe I will try again

What is it like to be normal? Once you have brushed your teeth etc is your breath just neutral all day?

OP posts:
Original poster
Stinker12345 · 14/09/2021 14:19

With COVID, going to the dr’s for minor things like this seems bad…

OP posts:
saraclara · 14/09/2021 14:19

Go to your GP. They will know if it's as bad as you think, and will investigate things like tonsil stones (which I had without realising it Blush )

Original poster
Stinker12345 · 14/09/2021 14:22

@saraclara - can you have tonsil stones if you have had your tonsils removed? Might be a silly question..

OP posts:
crumblebug · 14/09/2021 14:23

H pylori stomach infection?
Tonsil stones?

What do you drink? Stop drinking caffeine and alcohol as theyre dehydrating and stsrt drinking a lot of water.

You should go back to GP (I would probably poke around for some tonsil stones myself first)

crumblebug · 14/09/2021 14:23

Ah, not tonsil stones then if you have no tonsils!

Mrsfrumble · 14/09/2021 14:25

Allergies? My DS used to have wretched morning breath, even as a toddler, which we eventually realised was caused by post nasal drip from hay fever. He takes a couple of doses of Piriton a day now and the bad breath has gone.

custardbear · 14/09/2021 14:26

Have you tried those small brushes to clean betweeen your teeth? Albeit if your oral hygiene is giod it probably isn't that

Beautiful3 · 14/09/2021 14:29

Keep a parsley plant on your desk. Take a sprig and eat it through out the day. They are cheap to buy and replace. I brush twice a day and use the parsley a few times during the day. It gives me minty breath.

Wizaway · 14/09/2021 14:29

Do you drink coffee or fizzy drinks alongside your water as these can smell bad on the breath?

Tlollj · 14/09/2021 14:30

Ask family or friends if your breath smells. You have only mentioned work settings.