Bad Breath Halitosis Forum

Hi, I'm new to this site. After lingering on the site for far too long and writing a number of emails to people that Jimi suggested may be of some help to us in our battle against this disease I decided to say something, even if it isn't worth very much.

I, like most of you here, have suffered for a very long time with bad breath. It started when I was ten and I'm now 24! It takes over my life at times and there really isn't a minute that goes by when I don't think about it. There are so many things I'd like to do but can't because of this stench. I have had to give up the idea of volunteering to help young underprivileged kids with problems because of the fear of offending them with this smell. I'm attractive, smart, have done well for myself so far (considering the smell) but I have had to turn down so many dates and opportunities to meet people or forge relationships because of my halitosis. I’ve been offered a great job which starts in a year but I’m so afraid because of the reactions I’ll get from my colleagues. The job also requires meeting a lot of clients! Sometimes I just want to give up. If it wasn't for my family I would probably have lost all hope. Well that's my story.

I have two questions:

1. Does anybody use a nasal irrigator? If so, have you noticed any difference and which brand do you use?

2. Has anyone here, apart from the fellow that was interviewed, had the laser treatment done, and with what success? And does anyone know of where I might be able to get it done in the UK? I’ve looked on the net but with no success.

Thanks everyone, especially Jimi. You have all been my source of strength these last few months.

Love, Faith

Hello. Nasal irrigators did not do anything for me. I would think that nasal irrigator would be only effective if the smell is coming from inside your nose and I don't think it would effective enough to cleanse away the "trapped" bacteria in your nose or sinus. When you blow out mucous, does it smell?

Someone posted this link regarding tonsillectomy on my other post, but here it is again:
http://www.abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/2533/72

Also instead of paying almost $100 for a nasal irrigator why don't you just get a neti pot. They are cheap and do the same thing they also have some kind of neti wash solution that you use with salt water to clean out the nose it has zinc in it. Try that if you want to clean out your sinuses.

Thanks for the replies guys!

Bronxjazzy, how is it going after having your tonsils removed? Is your breath still smelling good? I'm so sceptical about getting mines removed but I'd like to try nevertheless but I'll probably have to go on the waiting list on the NHS (UK) which might take some time. And I don't even want to know how much it'll cost if I go private!

I don't get reactions when I talk to people. My niece doesnt tell me I need to brush floss. I don't have to brush at the end of the day or take any kind of special vitamins so I will say I am 100% pleased with the results of my surgery. Being able to talk to people and not get offered gum or mints is enough for me. So I'd say try it if you can. Are you not on insurance? If you aren't then it is unbelievably expensive. The surgery and anestesia etc... came up too $16,000 or something like that but since I was on insurance I only had to pay $500 out of my pocket. I think wether you go to a private ent or one through the hospital you will have to wait. I had to wait a month which isn't long and I went to an ent through the hospital not a private ent.

Thanks BronxJ. No, I'm not on insurance because the system is different in the UK. We pay higher taxes which is supposed to cover everybody, hence, the National Health System. However, as you can imagine, the NHS waiting lists are unbelievable. Everybody uses the NHS. It's very rare that people go private in the UK.

Sorry to sound so ignorant, but what exactly does the term 'ent' stand for as I'd like to look it up on the net?

Oh I didn't know that. Yeah I can imagine you will have to wait a long long time but you don't want to pay for it out of pocket believe me. No not ignornt some things get lost in translation . ENT is Ear Nose and Throat specialist.