Type of bad breath and tips?

[lisa1983]

Hello,

I have come across this site and read through a few threads so would like some advice. I have been suffering from bad breath on and off for 2 years and its driving me mad and is seriously affecting what little confidence I have. I have been to the dentist on numerous occasions and also the doctor who after sending me away with something for my sinuses said there little else he can do. I am always blocked up but always have been and have been reading that it could be post nasal drip. I have excellent dental hygiene so feel sure its not from my teeth. My hubby has been great through all of this and is always honest with me. I know you are not supposed to be able to smell your own breath but theres a particular type that comes on out of nowhere which hubby has confirmed is bad and nasal. I've recently started working on a checkout and it always seems to come then for whatever reason. I smell it and start to become flustered. Hubby insists that unless you are really close up to me or I blow at him to test he can not smell it but that upclose it is bad. My Mum has has also said she has never smelt it so then I start to think am I paranoid!
Are there any suggestions of what I should try to confirm if it is nasal?

[lisa1983]

Anyone?

[halitosisux]

Hi, how long have you been suffering with your nasal congestion?

[lisa1983]

For as long as I can remember I have been 'blocked up' but lately I always seem to have a runny nose and what feels like the start of a cold. I also always have the urge to 'snort' and clear my throat but obviously I am only able to do this at home as it isn't very pleasant. I mainly breathe through my mouth as its just easier, do you think this contributes?

[halitosisux]

Hi lisa, if you've only had BB for the last 2 years you have to look at everything that has changed that coincided with the start of your BB. And if your BB seemed to start when your nasal symptoms seemed to change then you have to consider there might be a possible connection.

Does the mucus that you snort or clear from the back of your nose have odour to it?

[lisa1983]

I've been obsessing over what it can be since it started. In the beginning I noticed that whenever I had an energy drink it would be really bad so I steered clear of caffeine totally for a while. I then went to the dentist and eventually they told me about a food trap in my mouth which I now clean with daily flossing and it does seem to have got better but I am still getting bouts of the nasal odour which is always worse when I have a cold. I have just started taking Avamys which I am hoping may help me.

[ihatethebus]

Lisa, i dont mean to pry but did you just say you went home and flossed harder or had a deep cleaning done after being told you have a food-trap. hmm just curious becoz if you just went home and started flossing harder without gettin the stuff properly cleaned out, youre jus digging the stuff further down your gumline with the string and i wont have anthying nice to about you so ill jus shut my mouth and let you do yo thang.

[lisa1983]

Hi Ihatethebus thanks your your input. I didn't have a deep clean but began to floss having not bothered in the past.
I had such a bad day yesterday I cryed about my bb for the first time. I was at work on a 4 hour shift when a customer commented to her children about the smell, she asked if I could smell it and I said no as I was 'blocked up' after going on the smell for a bit longer I think she noticed my embarrassment, (I became flustered and went red and and was trying my best not to breathe her way) and she tolkd the children to shut up about it. The utter shame I felt was so strong I wanted to cry as I new my breathe was bad at that moment and had been all afternoon prior to work, luckily for me I can tell when it is bad. I carried on for a another few customers and felt so faint and hot that I needed to get off the till so I called my supervisor and said I felt faint and needed a word. I felt so strongly that I couldn't continue work at that point that I felt my options were quit or explain, so I explained and she said that no vustomers had complained and suggested mints or gum, She was nice enough but she didn't know what to do and certainly has no idea of how bad it can be. Thankfully she took me off the till to do other jobs which involved less interaction. Please any advice I just don't know what to do!

[mike987]

Sounds like a really terrible experience you had there... I've had days feeling like that too....

And it was just the other day where I too felt like my only option was to quit.


I don't know what to tell you though.. I certainly don't want to tell you to try mints or gum. Ugh.. doesn't that just piss you off?


Hang in there. We're here for you.



One thing that can only have a positive effect (I think) is to drink lots of water... Like, lots and lots of water.. Your body needs it to produce saliva, but with lots of water in your system, it may also dilute any concentration of toxins that may be effecting you.

What do you think your BB smells like btw? Certain smells may help narrow down your problems. Also, what are your other symptoms that may be related to your BB?


Do you have sore throats?
- Tonsil stones?
- Sinus problems?
- Stomach problems?
- Does your sweat stink too?

Go ahead and just empty all your thoughts into this thread you made.

[lisa1983]

Hi Mike, Thank you so much for your reply. I just feel so flat right now, its my birthday tomorrow but even that can't lift me up from last nights exprience. I took the kids shopping earlier & had to stand in a queue for 20 mins with my kids, it felt like the longest 20 mins of my life as I was sure people were talking about me. Last night has knocked any confidence I had, so much so that I didn't end up doing the things I went to do as it was busy & I was anxious. I have only been on the job for a month & have waited serveral years for my children to grow up so I could work and meet people, whilst I knew the breath could be bad it wasn't constant and I thought I could live with it. I have had the odd 'episode' at work but as quick as it comes it goes but last night it was constant. My husband says that the smell comes from my nose but I am so confused reading through the threads. He really says its not as bad as I think it is, but then I think maybe he's used to it & become immune aso can't smell it. I think it smells like poo, maybe not as bad but simliar He is the most wonderful man and still kisses & hugs me but I don't think he can truly understand. I do have sinus problems but no throat or sweat. My stomach is really loud when hungary and digesting could it be linked?
What type do you suffer with?

[mike987]

Paranoia will make situations worse.. though I can't help but get like that, too. I remember a few years ago at one of my old jobs, it got to a point where I was so stressed, I could have sworn they were constantly talking about me.

I couldn't hear well because I operated the dish washer, but I felt I knew for sure everyone was making fun of me. I knew I was making matters worse when I thought I heard words like 'shit' then after a couple moments, realized what was actually said was either something different, or had nothing to do with me.

Also, I don't think my breath could have traveled 25 feet to the other side of the kitchen, even if it was really bad that day.

Sometimes they probably did make remarks... it just wasn't constantly, like I imagined.



I know what you mean about becoming confused reading all the threads on this board. There are so many possibilities and unknown factors it just makes you feel like giving up, right?

And every other thread is about some new product that everyone's trying. Well, forget oil pulling, forget herbs and combinations of ingredients. I'd also tell you to avoid worrying about the dreaded 'candida'.

What you should do, is get some professional help.



If you have sinus problems, get your sinuses looked at. You may not want to walk into the Doctor's office and say "I have Bad Breath, help me!".. Not only is it vague, but it's a challenge a lot of doctor's apparently can't conquer, or don't care to bother with.. They may just give you antibiotics and send you on your way.

So yeah, if you have sinus problems, just go to the Doctor's and complain about the issues you have with your sinuses. Don't lie, just be honest about that issue. BB is a symptom, perhaps of your messed up sinuses.
Perhaps the doctor can examine your sinuses, and discover a problem he can fix.

My BB used to be a rotten egg, sewery kind of smell, but now it seems to be more like a straight fart.
I think my BB stems from my sinuses too. I've actually had a lot of ear nose and throat problems in the past, so I wonder if the whole package is a little out of shape.

I can only breathe out of one nostril at any given time.. the other one is almost completely blocked, or sometimes IS completely blocked. Occasionally I can't breathe out of either. I also have Post Nasal Drip (PND) which describes mucus that sits at the back of the nose or collects above the throat and doesn't drain properly. Makes sense to me that the reason my sinuses produce so much mucus is because the constant uncomfortable state in my nose.


A stomach problem could be part of it, but that opens another can of worms. Focus on what you're most sure of, and again, try a doctor in that field. Your stomach being really loud is probably a result of your anxiety. Mine used to be incredibly loud and gurgly all the time.. I don't notice is it so much anymore, but I'm also not as anxious and stressed out as I used to let myself become.


Also, I'm just curious, do you have your tonsils still? Some people who still have their tonsils don't realize it, but their tonsils are creating tonsil stones... Which actually smell like shit.. the most repulsive things ever created... If you only have BB sometimes, it could be the resurgence of 'Tonsil Stones'. If one of those got smashed onto the back of your tongue, you would most definitely have breath that smelled like shit. Sometimes they rear their ugly little heads.. other times, you may swallow them or cough them out without knowing it. So if you do have your tonsils, take a good look in the mirror. Examine them well, probe them gently with a cotton swab and see if little white/yellow chunks come out of them.

I had cryptic tonsils but got them removed last year. Now I no longer get little shit balls, but I still have BB... This is why I think it's related to PND and my Sinuses.


I like to think my BB isn't as bad as some people here, and it probably isn't.. But it's enough to make any situation where I have to speak with someone into a stressful and psychologically damaging nightmare. I like talking to people.. But BB has turned my into a cold and isolated person.


Well, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Spend it where you're most comfortable.. perhaps with your Husband at home. You're right, he probably is too used to the smell to notice it.. Even non BB people have distinct smells that we can't perceive because we live with them. But for you, you could say this is a blessing.. It's great that your husband can stand by your through this. You can't understand the impact of chronic BB until it happens to you personally, but it sounds like he's there for you and wants to make you happy.

[lisa1983]

Well some progress for me yesterday, I took on board what Mike said about the sinuses and I made a drs appointment with a totally different doctor to the usual. He spent around 15 to 20 mins talking it over and trying to find out what the cause is. I've bever been in with any other doctor about it for more than 5 mins at a time, they usually l just want to get rid of me. He has reffered me to the ear nose and throat people at the hospital. It could takes weeks but its a start and I feel more positive. He also gave me some amoxillin but wasn't really sure it would work, but hey I'll try anything!
I to have trouble breathing through my nose so generally just breath through my mouth as its easier. The problems seems to come from no where often when bending down, is anyone else aware of this?
I still have my tonsils and did what you suggested Mike said but they look fine. I read about a sinus flush on here but it makes me wince just thinking about it, is it worth a go? Anymore suggestions would be very much appreciated!

[mike987]

Glad to hear you were able to get the ball rolling.

It's a start right? If it turns out to be a dead end, you'll at least have a better understanding of your BB and could mark any false leads off your list.


Sinus irrigation via neti pot... It's not so terrible. Once you figure it out, you'll have no problems, and it takes less than a minute.
I'm not sure how much flushing my sinuses actually helped me though... It is refreshing though, but make sure you're not flushing with anything toxic.. and tap water might not be a good idea.. Which might make it a little less convenient. Also, you don't want to just use water. I had been using sea salt, but it had a second ingredient, an anti caking ingredient, that I always worried might not be good to rinse with.

The problem for me is, my nose is too blocked up most of the time for the water to even pass my nostrils...

Here's how you do it:

Lean over the sink; your face looking mostly straight down.. Then as you insert the neti into one nostril, you tilt your head sideways and wait for the water to pass through your other nostril. (You may want to raise your view a bit to help the flow) The salt or saline solution helps loosen mucus. Once you finish that nostril, blow your nose well, then repeat the process for the other nostril.

Here's an alternative method that might be slightly more effective..

- Do everything the same, but instead of letting the water pass through to the other nostril, have it come out of your mouth instead... May sound difficult, but once the water is back there, you can change it's course by opening your mouth and sort of ... hm.. Well, you'll know what I mean once you try it.

Nasal irrigation might help treat your BB slightly.. it didn't stop my PND, but again, it made me feel refreshed.

I haven't done it in awhile, and am thinking I should try it again. Left my neti pot back in the states though, so will have to get a new one.

Oh, you can find them at drugstores like CVS pharmacy, and probably Drugmart.. They really should be available in most pharmacies or pharmacy sections of a grocery, for example.



Before checking tonsils off your list, did you try smelling the cotton swab? I know we can't smell our own breath, but you WILL be able to smell tonsil stones if you have them... So even if your tonsils aren't creating stones, maybe there's enough of a crevice back there for a bit of 'goo' or mucus to rest... Using a clean finger, or a cotton swab, press on your tonsils, as if to push out it's contents.. like smashing a fat juicy insect. Does anything come out? If not, give it a sniff anyway to see if there's at least some minor nastiness going on back there.. I'm persistent on this just because Tonsils are so good at hiding Tonsil stones. I used to be so sure they were coming from way down in my esophagus, or somewhere beyond my mouth, but messing with the tonsils a bit, I actually saw that they were keeping tonsils stones in there after all. I was kind of awe struck.. The months after that, I became extremely familiar with the physical layout of my tonsils and mouth in general. Before that, I didn't even know if I had my tonsils still or if I had them out as a kid.. Didn't even know what a tonsil looked like :p


Anyway, good luck with with the ear nose and throat specialist. Looks like you did, but yeah, focus on sinuses, with halitosis just being one of the many symptoms should you choose to mention it.

I hope to do the same as you within the next 6 months or so.. Going to need to wait till vacation time. I have insurance now, so if I could find an Ear Nose and Throat surgeon here in Japan, great... if I would have to go back to the US to have it done, I'll be under my dad's insurance for at least one more year thanks to a new healthcare bill.


Say, I don't want it to seem like I have all the answers.. I'm just like you.. Lost in a BB nightmare, wanting to live a normal life and become closer and more intimate with friends, family, and even strangers. But I do hope I can help you out anyway. Good luck, Lisa.

[lisa1983]

Thank you, will look int the neti pot for sure.

I did smell the cotton swab and it seemed fine, will the ENT people take a look at that too?

Well I have had a really good week, I haven't had a really strong smelling whiff since Monday until today when I got a slight whiff and this has now gone. I am thinking perhaps it was because I forgot to drink water this morning. I was slightly paniced because I have work tonight but since drinking a few glasses of water it has subsided.

I have 3 things on my mind at the moment. Has it stopped because the amoxillin antibotics I have been taking since Monday, or because I have been drinking loads of water OR because I haven't had any alcohol at all week? I don't have alot of alcohol maybe 2 bottles of wine a week.

Any thoughts?

[halitosisux]

Hey lisa, from what you've said, hopefully it was a sinus infection which you've managed to resolve with antibiotics. Sinus infections need to be dealt with promptly otherwise they become chronic and notoriously difficult to get rid of the more time goes by.

If it was a sinus infection, make sure that your ENT deals with any abnormalities (if any) that might have allowed this infection to take hold in the first place so that hopefully it wont recur.

I thought drinking one bottle of wine every week made me an alcoholic, but if you are suffering with nasal problems you really should be avoiding alcohol altogether because dealing with any amount of alcohol in this situation is a load your body could do without, not to mention the effects of dehydration and thickening of mucus with obvious consequences.