Does mouthwash CAUSE bad breath?!

[doyouknowwhoiam]

Morning all!

Ok, so i've got to that stage where i'm super super paranoid about having bad breath. Dp mentioned that I did once or twice over the past month, but to be fair, I had drunk loads of black coffee!!

Anyway, I always carry mints and gum and I have recently started using Listerine Mouthwash, zero alcohol. I read somewhere that the alcohol dries your mouth and so causes bad breath, so I opted for the zero alcohol one. The problem is, when I use it all I can taste is TCP!! It's horrible and when I do the breathing into my hands, breath test, that'a ALL I can smell. Also, I don't like the idea of getting rid of all bacteria in your mouth, cos it makes sense to me that you need some. Dp said that yes, he could smell TCP, but it wore off after 5 or 10 mins.

So i'm wondering whether I should bother or not.

What's anyone thinking about mouthwash? Fan? Not a fan?

Thanks everyone

I think you should check with your dentist, check with your doctor if you really do have bad breath (you most probably do not) and cut down on black coffee

I don't like using chemicals un-necessarily (such as mouthwash....have you seen the shit in the ingredients list?)

Brush regularly with decent cheap toothpaste, floss and make sure you drink plenty of water/clear fluids and not too much alcohol

< disclaimer > I am not a dentist

That's depressing! Black coffee and alcohol and the 2 things which I rely on the most

I've started flossing too. I'm worried that if I now stop using it that my breath will stink, because my mouth has now got used to it iyswim.

I think I will have to try and cut down on the black coffee. I used to have at least 4 cups of really strong coffee a day, whereas now it's 2 maximum. I'll also have a cup of green tea, cos I read somewhere that that helps fight bad breath. You see, it's becoming a bit of an obsession! Now whenever i'm close to someone, i'm covering my mouth or trying to breathe through my nose, which looks quite strange. Oh and alcohol.........I love wine! I usually have a few glasses every evening I know that's probably something else I need to reduce or knock on the head altogether God, that would suck!

Thanks for that though anyfucker

I like dentyl, if I'm in need of mouthwash - the clove one is a nice change from mint. Also, I found aquafresh wasn't helping with tonsil stones (nice) for some reason, so switched to a gel toothpaste (colgate) which is better. A friend of mine swore by Macleans for the fresh-breath "ting" feeling fwiw.

And Hi AF :)

My son had severe halitosis. Retardex is the only thing that worked. It's expensive, but it doens't make your breath smell of anything else eg.tcp and it works.

I don't use mouthwash often, but I do find Aquafresh Extreme keeps my mouth feel cleaner for longer than other toothpastes. Maybe you could start brushing at lunch time as well as morning and evening if you're worried about bad breath?

hi Ivana

Thanks everyone

Dawn, Retardex? What a horrible name!! Come to think of it, my dd(5) has really quite bad breath, but then she has fish oils everyday, twice a day. Bless her, sometimes it is really offensive. Might get her checked out actually, cos she brushes twice a day and I make sure she brushes after she's had the oil. You know what other kids can be like, cruel!

Ivan,I actually use the Macleans toothepaste and overall i'd reccommend it for having that clean feeling for longer.

I can't be annoyed at dp cos he was just being honest, but it's really getting to me. Like I say, it's affecting how i'm interacting with people. I tend to stand or sit far back, just incase I offend anyone.

What I have worked out though, is that when you use mouthwash in the evening, before you go to bed, your breath really does STINK in the morning! You know it's bad when you can smell it yourself So I only use it in the morning as it stands. I'm tempted to stop it though and just cut down on the 'bad' drinks. What will I do without my stimulants?!...

Well, I see a periodontist who told me not to use mouthwashes. I am to use a child's toothbrush or a soft toothbrush, sensodyne toothpaste and FLOSS THOROUGHLY every day.
if your breath is bad use one of those tongue scraper things.

mouth washes like corsydol are only really for people having an attack of gingivitus. they stain the teeth very badly.

I use the oral b pro expert toothpaste and it s really great - it s gotten rid of tooth sensitivity and bad breath my dh is a dentist and recomends it. Ba breath can also be caused by some tummy infections or Trush I think might be worth gettig a probiotic to help too

I can always tell if someone doesn't floss. There's a very particular 'cow pat' smell caused by the gunk rotting between the teeth. No amount of brushing or mouthwash will get it out I'm afraid.

I only mention it as you say you've started flossing. If you weren't before could that gave been the issue?

Drinking plenty of water will help prevent bad breath too. Dehydration will concentrate the nasties in your mouth and make them smell more pungent.

Second Blueberry - do you clean your tongue daily? Seriously, that is the trick (especially if you ever eat yogurt or any milk products). Chinese toothbrushes have a part for cleaning the tongue and then there are plastic gadgets that make it very simple.
Makes all the difference!

My dentists have never liked mouthwashes.

I like Retardex too. It has recently changed name to Ultradex. It comes with a little sachet of mint flavouring which you can add to the mouthwash if you wish or just leave it unflavoured.

I'm bumping this thread, cos I've just started using mouthwash and I really hope it's not giving me bad breath. Will be watching with interest........and concern.

best mouthwash is 3% hydrogen peroxide diluted in water. Cheap and very effective and good at combatting tonsil stones as well

Oooo, where can you get hydrogen peroxide Pudden? I take it if they combat tonsil stones, does that mean it's safe to gargle with it. What exactly are tonsil stones?

Floss floss floss

Any pharmacy sells hydrogen peroxide, very good for bleaching stains off teeth.

amibi I get hydrogen peroxide from the chemist and the last bottle cost me 85p. I usually dilute about a tablespoon in about two inches of water (in a small tumbler) and gargle noisily! Tonsil stones are horrible yellow lumps that can form in the crypts of tonsils and are made from bits of calcified food, mucus and bacteria. They absolutly HONK and make breath smell like decaying dogmuck and gorgonzola!

That sounds horrible!! I think you may have put me off gorgonzola for life! I was thinking my mum might have them, but her breath is more like burning meat. It's very strange. She just gets flare ups every now and then so maybe it's got nothing to do with tonsil stones. Could a doctor see them?

I'll tell you what really does make everybodies breath smell poo, is champagne. I don't understand because people say it's the bubbles, but then why don't we get bad breath with any carbonated drink? It's a real shame cos I love champagne, but i'll usually decline or just have a tiny bit.