Sons breath

[LordOfTheFlies]

My DS has rather niffy breath even after brushing and mouthwash (alcohol free childs mouthwash).
He was at the dentist at Easter so I know it's not his teeth, they are good.
He smells like mothballs weird but it's the best description I've got.

The only thing I can think is dehydration.
I'm going to buy him Retardex toothpaste and rinse and a tongue scraper tomorrow and get him to drink more water.

I worry about him at school and always tell him to drink his water but he never does.
Anyone got any ideas?

Not sure what mothballs smell like! Anything like peardrops? That can be a symptom of diabetes - not trying to worry you!

Deffo not peardrops, I remember them from chemistry (esthers)
We've got a shedload of diabetic relitives in our family so I've thought of that but he's got no other symptoms.
I've bought the Retardex ( 3 for 2 special offer on dental at Boots). I'll give it a week, make him drink the water and take him to GP if no better.
Thanks

My DD has stinky breath also. When she was a baby I used to love that sweet milky smell of baby breath. Since she was about 9 she has horrendous breath in a morning when she comes in for a snuggle. I am constantly telling her to brush her teeth. According to the dentist she has good dental hygiene. Perhaps it could be dehydration as she often forgets to drink anything.

I'll be interested to know how he gets with the Retardex.

DDs breath really smells if she is coming down with a virus.

Doesn't it just vary according to what he's eaten?
That's what i thought about my stinky ds. I'm the same with trying to get him to drink lots more water.
If he hasn't gone to the bathroom for ages, I know he needs to drink a lot more.

Simple answer : stop feeding him mothballs.

WowOoo but he likes mothballs and they've got less sugar than Mint Imperials.He doesn't know the difference.

It's not problems with tonsils? my son's breath whiffs big time, but he has terrible, enormous tonsils which are coming out soon.

Hi there, how old is he? Have you checked for tonsil stones? My dd has had these since she was 5 and we first of all noticed the nasty breath then saw large White stones on her tonsils. She coughs these up regularly and we can't always see them but know she has one due to the breath. They don't cause her any problems apart from the smelly breath and it's not all the time. I'm sure as she gets older she will have to have her tonsils removed. :(

Thanks for all the feedback and advice.

I tried DS -he's 11yo- on the Retard Ex toothpaste and mouthwash. He didn't want the mint flavour in it. Its got a very neutral taste. The combination of this and the extra water (mercliless bullying on my part) has improved him 1000%.

Will keep at him (and glad the Retardex works because it is £8+ a throw so I haven't wasted my money)

I did think about diabetes to be honest and I do peer down his throat but I don't know what I'm looking for on his tonsils. I make him scrub his tongue too because the dentist said it's a harbour for bacteria (nice!).

Not looking forward to him going through puberty.Got to look forward to spots/greasy hair/smelly pits/sweaty feet. Sigh!

Retardex is ace.
The main cause of bad breath apart from teeth and gums is dehydration and volatile compounds such as garlic, onions and coffee but your are describing a specific type of smell.
Ask your son if he gets a bad taste from the back of his throat he might have a post nasal drip.The smell may also be coming from his sinuses. My dh had a nasty musty smell and saline irrigation got rid of it. Not particularly nice to do though.