To help me stop being the smelly one

[Stinker12345]

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

SOMetimes a stomach ulcer can cause bad breath. I’m so sorry you’re going through this.

If there's not medical/dental cause for it then I'd just tackle the smell with breath mints, gum, breath sprays etc

How horrible for you, op.

I would pay a visit to the gp to check for underlying medical issues. There are all sorts of things which can cause halitosis- post nasal drip, acid reflux, tonsil stones etc. Theyre all treatable.

I'd also speak to your dentist at your next visit and see it they have any thoughts.
Make sure you're drinking enough water, not doing so can contribute to bad breath.

Definitely pursue with GP. I'd go private if they aren't helpful.

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.

Did the doctor and dentist agree that it was bad though?

Do you have acid reflux? My daughter had bad breath, and the dentist suggest that as a cause.

Just seen you latest post, I hadn't refreshed the page.

You won't have tonsil stones without tonsils.

Go back to gp, get a second opinion if you need to.

If you have ulcerative colitis then it could be related. I was going to suggest peppermint oil capsules if you think it could be related to your stomach but it sounds like you might need an ibd review. An apt with your ibd nurse might be a good place to start. Do you have any other symptoms? If its been a long time since you had a flame it might be worth reminding yourself of some of the lower grade symptoms, it's amazing what we can train ourselves to ignore when we're used to managing something.

My son has dairy intolerance, he has terrible breath if he has any, like a fermenting smell. See your gp again, there will be a reason it's happening.

Can mouthwash make things worse?

I had this and after a while one of my teeth shattered, on the face of it I had great dental hygiene but without xrays and this tooth breaking they wouldn’t have found a gum pocket fullllll of stank.
If you don’t have tonsils for stones then I’d go call the dentist for a phone consult and ask for a X-ray survey to check.

To add - I had a root canal and crown replacement and the smell was gone in days!

This is very good.

www.ninelife.uk/products/prob-fresh-dental-probiotics?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjfbIos3-8gIVTLDtCh2yQQJLEAQYBiABEgKKGPD_BwE

It's an awful lot cheaper on ebay if you are interested.

I agree with others that the cause could be your digestive system. The other thing is gums - but you say you go to the dentist and hygienist.

However your breath may not be as bad as you think, we are all a little self-conscious about breathing over people.

post-nasal drip?

Do you have plaquey teeth? I do despite regular flossing, brushing, hygenist visits and it seems to leave an unpleasant smell and taste. (I also have a dental implant and it is easy for plaquey saliva to get trapped underneath.)

Have you tried Ultradex mouthwash? It is expensive but it isn't just a minty thing that masks the whiff. It actually tackles the bacteria that clings to the plaque and really makes a difference. There is also a small mouth spray I use to freshen up out and about.

You could try speaking to a pharmacist if you can't get appointments with the GP or dentist. I personally think pharmacists are a hugely underused resource. All the best to you.

Op - firstly - are you 100 per cent certain this is having the impact you think?

Did the doctor and dentist confirm you have bad breath?

Do you have close friends / family you can ask?

I just wonder if this is social anxiety manifesting as fear of bad breath.

IF you definitely have bad breath and are following good hygeine - as people say, you need to find a doctor or dentist or stomach specialist who can properly investigate - perhaps pay for a consultation?

Agree re pharmacist - if you find a small one and feel a good sense of trust in the person there you could go first thing on a week day or a quiet time and say you need a moment in private.

Another vote for tonsil stones. Husband had his tonsils removed and it was amazing!

Apparently you can test for bad breath yourself. You lick the back of your hand using as much of your tongue as possible, going towards the back. Wait for the spit to dry and then smell your hand.

Instead of wondering if there's something wrong , ask your dentist if he thinks your breath smells. He will know better than us .

@saraclara

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.

Did the doctor and dentist agree that it was bad though?

Yes ^^ did they?

Has anyone ever actually mentioned bad breath to you? Are you sure your work colleagues are covering their mouths etc? Surely that would be quite obvious and rude on their part?!

I know it’s not tonsil stones - but just for others’ information - my adult dd suffers with tonsil stones horrendously, she always has one at either side, they dislodge in turn them more appear so she’s rarely without one. GP won’t/can’t do anything. They’ve spoken to ENT for advice and they have confirmed they do not remove tonsils now for this problem. Dd brushes twice a day, flosses, uses mouthwash. She’s tried gargling salty water, no effect. Gargled mouthwash, no effect. There is literally nothing else she can do.

You have my sympathies.

In the book, Gut, the author describes the smell that came from a fellow medical student as the worst she'd ever encountered. She identified it as digestive issues. This is in the very early chapters.

Chewing on parsley also seems to be good for helping neutralise bad breath.

Good luck and please don't be too harsh on yourself.

Another one saying going to your doctor. You've done appropriate self-help, you aren't wasting their time. This needs to be investigated.

Do you drink a lot of coffee?