my poor son

[jenneferle]

Ok I am a mother who is in immense pain about her son's bb. He has had it ever since he was in kindergarden and is now 16. A white coated hairy tongue. One of the problems is that he does not know he has it. But, when I smell it I tell him, which is about every night. Sometimes I nag him too much to do his cleaning regimen. We have tried Breath Rx, tongue scraper, hydrogen peroxide, mints, gum, liver support pills, Candida cleases and digestive enzymes. He scrapes his tongue til it bleeds. He says "why me" and "I hate my tongue". So far he has not got depressed about it but I fear he will in the future. I worry what will happen to him when he doesn't have a busy body mother who tells him when it is bad. I tell him that people will not tell him he has bb, they will just avoid him. We have recently tried Hibiclens. It is a 4% hydroclorine, (whatever that chemical is), antibacterial scrub for wounds on the skin. Taste like hell and is Very potent! He puts it on a toothbrush and brushes his tongue. I tell him not to let it touch his teeth because it can discolor them. He absolutely hates it but So far it is working. His tongue is pretty pink. I am worried about his teeth though. Well, I'v said a lot. I would really appreciate anyone who can give me advice or suggestions. Thanks, Very Worried Mother

[elliott]

Sorry to hear about your son. Have you considered that the white hairy tongue is only a symptom of some internal issue? Something is causing white tongue and scraping it may be a temporary fix, if that. Perhaps see an ENT and GI and try to get to the bottom of what causes white tongue and go from there.

BB itself is really only a symptom of deeper health issues. It may be necessary to deal with the source, and not the effects in order to get anywhere.

This, I learned after a few years of obsessing over symptoms. Now that I am focus on causes, things seem to be coming together. I don't know if there is a cure, but I am close to finding out what exasperates the issue.

[jenneferle]

Yes, thank you, I will get him in to see the emt and if needed, a GI doc after that. I know it is probably something internal, But what? When he goes for a check up he is "fine". I am all about finding the cause, I own a health food store and know that is the way to go. But when it is your own child you are willing to do anything to help. And help fast!

[Archimonde]

You're a good mother. Most mothers ignore the problem and hope it will go away, of course it never does.

[jenneferle]

Are you sure about that Archi? I feel like I am going to be the one to cause his depression and low self esteem by reminding him of his problem. Question to anyone....When you were young would you have appreciated your parent telling you, reminding you and sometimes nagging you about this problem? Let me remind you, he doesn't seem to think he has bb since nobody else has told him. I told him about this site and he just gives me a defensive attitude. I think he is interested but too embarrassed to admit it.

[seanlee1980]

I think he is very aware of his problem. He is just too embarrassed and uncomfortable to talk about it. It's kind of weird his problem started at such a young age. Mine started around the time of my puberty.

I've been lost and confused about a cure like most people here. There could be so many causes...tonsils, wisdom teeth, cavities, bad fillings or crowns, ph balance is off, bad bacteria in the gut, esophagus, acid reflux, crypts, candida, sinus problems, post nasal drip, cysts in the mouth or throat...yeah just about anything cause bad breath it seems like but what helped me most is taking my tonsils out. I still have bad breath though.

[Susie]

I think you should win mother of the year!!! Wow, my worthless mom has never once researched anything about bad breath even though she knows it haunts me daily! That might take effort on her part. Yep she's a loser.

Your son is very lucky to have a mom like you.

Susie

[Jimi Stein]

My mother poisoned me, put chemical in my food to lessen the smell. Can you imagine what kind of animal does this.

***k her, my mother is the biiggest whore in the world. When I did not have bb i was the best for her, but now I am just a garbage and she wants to get rid of me.

[exume]

wow i wish my parents understood im also 16 yrs old suffering from bullies

[meowkity1]

Jeneferle, it happened so young for him, and I am sorry. You just never know what it could be, Im sure he brushes but children ususally dont floss.
I remember being in second grade this girl constantle had shit breath, it never went away, I was still her frien her name was Bridgetee, well anywasy Im just trying to think of how a child could have bb, Does he have problems with constipation.
It must not be chronic if he's not interested in helping you. If my mom approached me at that age I think I woul be embarassed.
I am proud of you for trying to find him help.
Like someone said earlier we're finding that badbreath is a symptom. If hes overweight and not eating properly he could have candida.
In a week i am getting my tonsils and adnoids out, my ent says my tonsils have gunk on them. I would try to get him to ent, but it may be hard for your doc to send you, if hes in there saing he doesnt have bad breath and your saying he is.
I think firstly you should look for dental causes. Like I said children usualy dont floss, and dead food all around could be leking gas. You may want totry a water pic, it sprays between teeth and you feel so much fresher and cooler after using it
Good luck
I think its safe to say we all wish you were our mom.

[Susie]

Geez, I hope we didn't scare her off!

Susie