BAD BREATH! !!

[smeeinit]

ok,this is not a joke......
my teenage son has totally foul smelling breath most of the time,its dreadful in the mornings and the only way i can describe the smell is horse shit! seriously it really is very bad.

he doesnt smoke and eats fairly healthily and cleans his teeth twice a day.......what can be the cause? any suggestions?

Does he eat lots of dairy? My toddler has rank breath and the dentist told me it was because of the milk and cheese he eats. That was once dental issues had been ruled out.. . . . .

First port of call is the Dentist and if all ok then could it be stomach problems? Or maybe this time of year people have Cattarh & Sinus problems which I have been told can cause bad breath.

Definitely agree with seeing dentist first. My dear old Mum used to say that bad breath was a sure sign that you needed a poo... Might be an old wives' tale, but without giving TMI, I've evidence to suggest there could be some truth in that (not asking you to comment on DS's bowel habits, btw, that's between you and him!)

IME I have to agree with the advice given by shaniece and lilolilmanchester....after you seek advise from the dentist. My son (13) sometimes has this and has no dental problems and never has done (sees dentist twice a year) but suffers from Rhinitis (linked to his asthma) My mum also always says that it is a sign you need a poo!!!!!
I think if dentist and docs not find any problems I would get your son to floss his teeth daily and use a mouthwash (dentyl ph as no alcohol, deffo not Listerine) twice a day....I never ever have that morning groggy smell in my mouth anymore after doing this....sorry if this is gross, but the vsc's (volatile sulphur compounds) cause bad breath and smell a bit like rotten eggs but Dentyl ph attracts these compounds and you see the results in the sink (the advert is true)..not a medical person in any way just had a few dental issues after baby and my dentist got me on the straight and narrow with this routine ..let us know how you get on

does his drink enough water (or any liquids)?

thanks for your answers people.
we see the dentist and orthodontist regularly and no probs there,my sis suggested that it could be his brace but its been going on waaaay before he had his brace fitted!
he does use a mouthwash but i will change to the one suggested by jso and see if that helps!

maryann, no he doesnt drink enough, im always nagging him to drink more as i know it will help his bad breath!