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Original poster

Sensitive issue with DP

31 replies

sensitiveissue · 21/01/2009 11:30

Name changed. Dp has really bad breath. It has got so bad that its unbearable its effecting our love life as its really off putting. I dont know if its sign of him being unhealthy or he needs to see the hygeinist. I dont have to be next to him to smell it. I dont know how to handle it as DP is very sensitive and takes everything to heart. Im here asking for advice as I dont want to upset him or say anything to anyone that knows my DP. Any suggestions on how to to handle it?

OP posts:
MarlaSinger · 21/01/2009 11:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dropdeadfred · 21/01/2009 11:34

Does he visit the dentist regularly?

could you suggest that you both book an appt?

does he suffer from acid indigestion?

CioccolataCalda · 21/01/2009 11:34

what about your GP - could be something more 'internal'?

Can you tell I am not a medic???

2pt4kids · 21/01/2009 11:35

Make a family appt at dentist and tell him you are ALL due a check up?

Buy a new mouthwash and tell him you read its good for you to use etc and will he try it with you and see what he thinks?

Get electric tooth brushes? Maybe to encourage better brushing?

Dropdeadfred · 21/01/2009 11:36

a tongue scraper could be a good investment too

Dropdeadfred · 21/01/2009 11:37

has it always been a bit bad and now got worse or is it really a new thing?

Original poster
sensitiveissue · 21/01/2009 11:45

He does brush his teeth morning and night. He went to the dentist about 6 months ago. The breath has got worse since then. He didnt used to have this problem. I have suggested a tongue scraper but he says that they make him want to gag. He doesnt floss or use mouth wash. I have tried leaving mints around but that didnt work. It may be something health wise his digestive system isn't great. I keep telling him to go to the doctors but he never gets around to it.

OP posts:
Dropdeadfred · 21/01/2009 11:47

heartburn and acid indigestion can cause horrible breath....but there ae lots of things too...even a blocked nose, bad tonsils etc etc

could you tell him that his breath smells strange rather than gross and ak him to go to his hygienist and ask about it?

Original poster
sensitiveissue · 21/01/2009 11:58

He suffers with a constant blocked nose but hes had that as long as I have known him.

Breath smelling "strange" may be dodgy territory as well.

I have been encouraging him to eat more fruit and veg and drink water because his diet is quite rubbish.

Is it possible to get an all over health check where they might mention it to him? I am quite concerned about his health as well as he has been putting on weight and he has a history of high bp and diabeties in his family.

OP posts:
lessonlearned · 21/01/2009 12:46

Could indicate digestive or kidney problems. It might be a good thing if it alerts him that something may be amiss with his health. It sounds like he should go to his GP and get a blood test if there is nothing dental going on.

SmallShips · 21/01/2009 12:48

Does he have sinus problems? I expect the blocked nose and bad breathe might be related (i am not a doctor though).

I'd try and convince him to see a GP for an 'M.O.T'.

bumpybecky · 21/01/2009 12:57

Please take him to the GP, drag him there if needed! Bad breath can be a sign of diabetes, from memory it's the presence of ketones that causes it, a sign that his blood sugars aren't right. It's what you're aiming for if you do the Atkins diet, and that cuases bad breath at first too.

AnyFucker · 21/01/2009 13:20

agree with becky, the smell of the breath can be linked to diabetes, he must get checked out

could be absolutely nothing to do with his teeth or sinuses

Original poster
sensitiveissue · 21/01/2009 14:15

Oh, definitely will drag him there. Will go tomorrow. It can be so hard to get him to do these things, he always puts things off.

OP posts:
squeaver · 21/01/2009 14:20

take a look at this Does he have catarrh with his blocked nose? I have a steroid-based nasal spray for catarrh and it really, really helps.

I think you need to get him to the GP to ask specifically about this

Mucha · 21/01/2009 14:33

He may have a problem with the sphincter leading to the stomach. My partner has this and has to take protein pump inhibitors to stop acid from coming up. If he does not take them, his breath is terrible. I think an overall health check sounds like the best because if he is brushing his teeth it should not be that bad.

NewAppallingBeginning · 21/01/2009 14:37

You can clean you tongue with your toothbrush. You don't need a specific scraper.

It sounds like he is a typical man when it comes to going to the doctor's.

Gemzooks · 21/01/2009 16:01

My DH has bad breath when he's ill. He doesn't mind if I say because I say 'normally your breath is fine but I've noticed it's bad, I think you must be ill, you need to get it sorted. Sort of on the basis of 'this is a weird deviation from your normal lavender smelling breath'..

I am not very tactful though.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 21/01/2009 16:07

I always thought bad breath originated in the stomach area. For instance, if one has had a curry, it's the garlic one has ingested that's the problem?

wingandprayer · 21/01/2009 16:07

Bad breath is also one of the warning signs with appendicitus too. Does he get any stomach aches?

2manychips · 21/01/2009 16:12

It could well be the lack of interdental cleaning causing the prob, this could have caused gum disease.Do his gums look red and swollen? There could be food trapping and stagnating between his teeth. Def book a family dental appointment.

MuthaHubbard · 21/01/2009 16:29

my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on friday. one of his symptoms was his breath. when he was in a&e, the nurse, who didn't know what he was in for, asked if anyone could smell pear drops or nail varnish remover - tis a typical sign of diabetes.

get him to gp, especially if there is a family history

Original poster
sensitiveissue · 21/01/2009 16:39

wont use toothbrush to clean tongue either, I suggested it already.

No to stomach aches.

No to swollen gums.

Definitely no to breath smelling of pear drops of nail varnish remover. It does smell odd though.

Dentist said teeth were good when he went last.

It gets really bad over night. We aren't sleeping in the same room and when I go in there in the morning the room smells.

His nose issue has been worse lately but he has also gained weight (not huge amounts but around his waist where I know its dangerous).

I have told him before to go brush his teeth and then he tells me he already has. I then pretend I was saying it as a matter of course rather than because it smells.

OP posts:
bamboobutton · 21/01/2009 17:04

does he have gunk on the back of his tongue? my dh has a thick layer he won't scrape off his breath is revolting. i smell feel your pain

mrsmaidamess · 21/01/2009 17:19

You are just going to have to bite the bullet and say this issue is affecting both your lives, and needs to be sorted striaght away.

Are you sleeping in separate rooms because he smells? I'm sure it's something that can be rectified or treated.

Surely you are not going to let your embarressment and his sensitivity make this escalate any more? And don't forget, if you can smell it, so can everyone else.

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