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

Stomach breath ?

Sometimes my breath starts to smell if I am hungry/ haven’t eaten

Sorry if I'm repeating anyone or asking something you've already answered as I haven't read all of the replies but do you eat before/at work? If I miss a couple of meals (even after brushing and mouth washing) I find my breath smells, it goes back to normal once I've had some food.

@Stinker12345

My husband had bb a few days years ago and it was postnatal drip.owing to allergies. He found rear/ultra dex really helped.

That should read postnasal drip

There can be a number of reasons.
1- dry mouth. Do you drink enough water through out the day?
2- Tonsil stones. I get bad breath with them but mostly I remove them myself. I wont recommend doing it yourself though so ask the dentist.
3- Stomach problems. gut health is very much related to almost every things. Have you tied the Low FODMAP diest? it can help reduce the inflammation in the gut
4- Medication. Some times it is a side effect of a medication.

@VenusTiger I don't know tbh, someone said their dentist identified some so I suppose they can.

If you don't breathe easily through your nose though I'd speak to your gp. Could be allergies or polyps maybe.

For Postnasal drip, Beconase nasal spray is helpful.

Can you ask someone frankly, if they can tell you what the problem is ? You're assuming it's a breath problem - it could be something else. I'd be asking someone - a friend or colleague - to be blunt about what the problem is. Then at least you'd know which path to take.

I'm also wondering if you are reading too much in to things. I've worked with some very bad smelling people and haven't seen anyone else reacting that way or giving even a subtle clue. Do you would be pretty unlucky to both have this issue and work with so many rude people.

*so

Potentially daft q - but do you actually have bad breath? Can you smell it on yourself? Has someone you trust told you? Or are you misinterpreting other people's reactions?

@LegoCaltrops

Ok *@poppymaewrite* & I agree with you, but surely you could have found a way to phrase it without using such unpleasant terms. This is why people find many vegans judgmental.

Could’ve phrased it better, will bear in mind next time

Can you basically - not gargle with - but just hold mouthwash in your mouth for a few minutes, swirl it around.
The longer the better

@butterry

I use some mint breath freshening drops called Wow drops, they are really strong and would definitely help you feel more confident. You can find it on Amazon. If you put a few drops in water it acts like mouthwash too and it’s a tiny bottle so easy to carry in your handbag

I love wow drops, they used to be half the price of this Amazon link though!

Op, no one could say you weren’t minty fresh if you used these!
wow