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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Smelly breath

41 replies

Foogy · 03/07/2015 20:01

Title says it all, not garlic/coffee breath but actually rotting teeth breath, and he's someone I'm dating fairly recently and this has always been a problem although our last date it had gone from mild to pretty severe. He's nice in every other way, good looking, career, personality.

OP posts:
rumred · 03/07/2015 20:04

From experience it's poor diet/not eating regularly though I know dental problems and illness can be issues too. Have you googled?

Foogy · 03/07/2015 20:08

Not googled, as I've only known him a short while I'm not really in a place to discuss with him lol! Thinking it could be a deal breaker tbh

OP posts:
rumred · 03/07/2015 20:19

Yes. Not good. Check out his eating habits and state of his teeth...therein may lie the answer. How you raise it with him however, I'm afraid I have no easy answer. I'd Google in your position and weigh up options

SweetAndFullOfGrace · 03/07/2015 20:21

Start as you mean to continue. I'd say something. He must surely be aware of it and just hopes no one else cares?

AuntyMag10 · 03/07/2015 20:30

I could not deal with that. If you don't speak to him about it I'm not sure what else you could do

googoodolly · 03/07/2015 20:31

I broke up with someone in my late teens because of his teeth! He was also a really heavy smoker but his teeth were utterly revolting. He said it was because he didn't bother to brush them as a teenager but tbh he never seemed to brush them as an adult either.

If it's grossing you out now, it won't get better!

TheHappinessTrap · 03/07/2015 20:38

Teeth, uff. I couldn't stomach it. To me it would be like someone not showering properly, and I say that as someone who at times has questionable breath. For me it's genes, my mother, my aunt, all of us have great oral hygiene, and my teeth look great, but we have to keep on top of it.

StupidBloodyKindle · 03/07/2015 20:39

Sorry, you need to tell him. If you don't, he is never going to end up with anyone long term, is he?
Look, if he is a decent kisser, halitosis aside(!) and you were considering sleeping with the guy then make it into a gift.
New toothbrush, Listerine, Colgate, dental floss...in a glass with a note that these are for him at your flat. (Bit only if he starts using them!)

PippiLicious · 03/07/2015 20:41

Have you snogged him? Did he taste awful too?

Smelly breath would probably be a deal breaker for me unfortunately. Imagine what his morning breath would be like.

AuntyMag10 · 03/07/2015 20:42

StupidBloody that gift is a pretty big hintGrin. And what would the op do if he doesn't even bother with it.

Foogy · 03/07/2015 20:46

I am sleeping with him and he smells wonderful every where else, I thought his breath thing might be a passing thing but it's still there and getting worse. Lol to the toothbrush idea it's actually very good but I'm sure he does clean his teeth, his flat is exceptionally clean and he's a smart clean guy which is why I reckon bad teeth are the cause. Front teeth look fine though, not seen the back ones

OP posts:
rumred · 03/07/2015 21:11

Seriously, look at his diet. Stomach juices and mouth bacteria can stink

Magicalmrmistofeles · 03/07/2015 21:16

I couldn't do it. Is it bad teeth or not brushing teeth, I guess there is a difference in how you handle it.

katd999 · 03/07/2015 21:21

Do you know if he flosses?
I suffered with bad breath, and never used to floss, until a couple of years ago- I didn't know it'd make such a difference! My breath is fine now. Smile

AndDeepBreath · 03/07/2015 21:26

It can be a horrid side effect of hayfever too ... Might be temporary? (Although he'd probably sense it himself too - I do when my throat's playing up!)

Meerka · 03/07/2015 21:32

I think this comes under the heading of one of those conversations that only happen between good friends!

it is probably oral hygiene but it can be an indicator of a serious health problem sometimes. If he's normally meticulous about cleanliness and hygiene then it's worth getting it checked out at the dentist or even the doc.

This is one of the most awkward things to speak about but I think you have to try, otherwise it's going to become more and more of a dealbreaker for you and just possibly it could be a health problem he needs to get sorted out.

handfulofcottonbuds · 03/07/2015 21:41

Does he brush his tongue?

OooMatron · 03/07/2015 22:15

Well, this sounds ike my ex. He always had minging breath but I really liked him and never said anything. Once he said his back teeth felt wobbly and that his gums always bled when he brushed. I got him an electric brush as a present and suggested he go to my hygienist for cleaning and bleeding. He didn't go an his breath was still bad.

He dumped me and now I hope his rotten teeth fall out!

AlpacaMyBags · 03/07/2015 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dowser · 03/07/2015 22:25

I watched embarrassing bodies the other night and this poor 2015 year old girl went along with bad breath and she had tonsil stones.

Had never hears of it . Google it . It appears to happen to people who had had a lot of infection in their tonsils. Ths leads to pits were food collects and forms soft smelly cheesy stones .

If you look on you tube you can see people push them out with a cotton bud.

The young girl had them removed, the tonsils and her breath was fine after that.

Loletta · 03/07/2015 22:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pigglesworth · 03/07/2015 22:56

I was also going to suggest tonsil stones!

Howsithanging · 03/07/2015 23:00

How can you kiss him/sleep with him?

Foogy · 03/07/2015 23:05

Tonsil stones, soft smelly cheesy stones! bleuugggghhh :( That's really put me off now, if it's not bad teeth then this must be the cause. Just cannot imagine having the conversation with him even in a jokey way.
I don't have a clue if he brushes his tongue or flosses!!
I've known him for a year but only been dating about 6 weeks and his breath has always been bad. He does drink beer after work every evening and eats alot of restaurant food. What couldn't you do Magical? Be with him or tell him?

OP posts:
Foogy · 03/07/2015 23:05

ideas of wording it please?

OP posts: