DH has bad breath

[crunchy_mommy]

Can someone give me an overview of the kinds of things that could cause bad breath? I don't think it's a dental issue, he brushes well, flosses, etc... I have to hold my breath to kiss him otherwise the smell is just too bad... I read on another post that it could be caused by health issues or something? What kinds?

[ikesmom]

Brushing the back of the tongue is suppose to help with bad breath. Sometimes it can be internal..digestive. If someone eats a lot of certain foods that cause problems..like garlic, onions, ect. Tonsils can also be a culprit if food collects in them. Does he floss regularly?

[newmum35]

Does he have crowns? If so, I think the bacteria can get trapped under there and you just can't brush them away. Especially if the crown is poorly fitted. I've had multiple ones done by different dentists and it definitely can be a cause. Eventually there will be decay under there.

ETA: I got one of those waterpics to help clean under the poorly fitted crown (yep I still have one, cause I cant afford to have it replaced yet my insurance only pays for one every so many years) -it blasts a powerful jet of water out. just a suggestion in case he did have crowns, or especially bridges where you just can't clean under.

[paintedfire]

Check his tonsils. He may have tonsilloliths, otherwise known as "tonsil stones." Tonsil stones are basically food that gets stuck in your tonsils that then calcifies.

Often times, unless they're huge, you can't see them very easily. Most people have to press on the tonsil itself to see if there are any lurking there or not.

Waterpiks can sometimes be helpful in dislodging them, but a lot of people just go in and press them out with their fingers or cotton swabs. You can always have him see a dentist or an ENT if neither of you are comfortable checking yourselves.

[mama1803]

Post nasal drip can cause bad breath.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by mama1803

Post nasal drip can cause bad breath.

Also very true.

[amcal]

Uggg - I get tonsil stones - it very well could be that. I had no idea what the terrible taste in my mouth was until the Dentist told me about tonsil stones. Make a huge world of difference.

I take a small mag flashlight and shine it back there. Sometimes you can see a tonsil stone, sometimes you have to push around. Sometimes they hide between that webbed area between your back teeth and your tonsils.

I'm not recommending this but, I take one of those heavy duty bobby pins and straighten it out and curve it on the end so I can really get back there.

Getting them out can make a world of difference.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by amcal

Uggg - I get tonsil stones - it very well could be that. I had no idea what the terrible taste in my mouth was until the Dentist told me about tonsil stones. Make a huge world of difference.

I take a small mag flashlight and shine it back there. Sometimes you can see a tonsil stone, sometimes you have to push around. Sometimes they hide between that webbed area between your back teeth and your tonsils.

I'm not recommending this but, I take one of those heavy duty bobby pins and straighten it out and curve it on the end so I can really get back there.

Getting them out can make a world of difference.

Sadly, I'm forced to agree with all of this as well. They're nasty little buggers.

For the record, cotton swabs with a plastic tube work much better than cotton swabs with a cotton tube. Much sturdier.