Bad Breath Question re : Girlfriend

LegacyUser

Hi.

I've been seeing a great girl for about 2 months and am very happy with how things are going but theres no other way of saying it, She has bad breath. Shes immaculately clean and doesn't smoke. She always smells good in terms of perfume and just general all round cleanliness but her breath is sometimes really bad.

For me, its not going to come between us but i'd like to get your advise on how to approach this. Has anybody been in a similiar situation and how have you dealt with it or have you even finished a relationship over it?

I'm sure she brushes her teeth very regularly, but i have an inkling that she might be slightly self concious about her breath mainly due to her reluctance to get close to me in the morning until shes been to the bathroom to freshen up.

Thats another thing, if shes aware that her breath smells, maybe shes already tried to get some help for it. I don't know. Its a real tough one in terms of how i approach the subject without hurting her feelings.

I can't just say nothing because it can be a bit off putting when we are getting close. I might add thats its not always bad but more often than not it is. I've read that 40% of people have chronic bad breath but i find this hard to believe. Anyway, i'm rambling a bit now. Any advise greatly appreciated.

Senna

Your relationship will get to a stage were you will be comfortable enough to talk to her about it, its not major and you can probably wait till your a bit closer.

Also, my sister had very bad breath when she was young, she went to the doctor and was able to treat it. This will sound stupid but there was something stuck in her nose cavity that was causing the bad breath, she was maybe 18 when she got it sorted (simply).

LegacyUser

Here are some bad breath tips for once you get comfortable talking to her about it:

-often caused by dry mouth
-mouthwash can make the mouth drier, making problem worse
-same with mints and such
-she should get a tongue scrubber. They REALLY help.(much of bad breath originates on the back sides of tongue)

-anything that helps dry mouth should help the bad breath problem. Eating fruit for example.

-chewing fennel seeds helps

-eating fresh parsley helps if the problem is more internal and not in her mouth

-taking chlorophyl capsules helps too (available at health food store)

-it goes without saying she should visit a GP and/or dentish to see what's going on

LegacyUser

sometimes bad breath can be associated with bulimia

Bottle_of_Smoke

Does she eat well? Constipation can cause it.

Overheal

Unregistered wrote: »

sometimes bad breath can be associated with bulimia

Wouldnt have thought of that. Anythings possible.

MagicMarker

When was the last time she went to the dentist? Plaque will do that to you.

LegacyUser

She has really nice teeth. Is it possible for some people to be more prone to bad breath regardless of how good their oral hygiene is. I'm quite sure she looks after her teeth and brushes regularly. Shes very clean, dresses well, very well groomed etc.

Has anybody been in a similiar situation? How have you approached it or is it something that most people don't talk about for fear of offending their other half.

nkay1985

Unreg09 wrote: »

She has really nice teeth. Is it possible for some people to be more prone to bad breath regardless of how good their oral hygiene is. I'm quite sure she looks after her teeth and brushes regularly. Shes very clean, dresses well, very well groomed etc.

Has anybody been in a similiar situation? How have you approached it or is it something that most people don't talk about for fear of offending their other half.

As one poster above said, it can be related to eating disorders. Would you be certain that this isn't the case?

carlybabe1

Poor digestion can cause it too, or her diet, as in if shes eating to much protien/red meats. I mean poor digestion in terms of indigestion/heartburn

LegacyUser

It could be anything but how do i approach the situation. I think shes a bit self concious about it. Thats the impression i've got on a few occassions but i'm not 100% sure. Has anybody had to raise this type of thing with their other half and how did they react.

I don't just want to blurt it out. I can probably live with it but i really like her a lot and would like to help her get to the bottom of it, not just because its sometimes unpleasant for me and i'd say there must be some medication or special toothpaste/mouthwash you can get to improve things.

I'm really looking for some guidance on how to approach her about it in a sensitive way without making her feel more self concious or paranoid. Everything else is going great between us and shes a fantastic girl.

cantdecide

Very very tricky.

What about picking a random (I'm learning to hate that word) moment and ask her 'does my breath smell?' Qualify it by saying 'oh I used to suffer from bad breath and it comes at me from time to time- this is how I solved it. You'd tell me if I had bad breath, right?'

She might see straight through you but then again she may recognise that you're trying to tactfully broach the subject and it may start a dialog.

I do realise this could be a lousy suggestion:D

CDfm

gum disease can cause it too

CDfm

Unreg09 wrote: »

It could be anything but how do i approach the situation. I think shes a bit self concious about it. Thats the impression i've got on a few occassions but i'm not 100% sure.

I don't just want to blurt it out. I can probably live with it but i really like her a lot and would like to help her get to the bottom of it, not just because its sometimes unpleasant for me and i'd say there must be some medication or special toothpaste/mouthwash you can get to improve it

You cant be blunt because that would be insensitive. So you think she is sensitive about it. Little white lies are great -how about next time asking her is she ok and telling her you worry about little things and read something about bulimia and wanted to tell her you love her and she will tell you not to be silly etc.

Subject opened and brownie points for you.

shellyboo

I tend to always have mints or gum or something on me, so if I'm ever with someone who has bad breath, I'll take them out, have one myself, and offer some to the other person. If they have any bit of cop on at all, they get the hint and take it... but it doesn't always work! However, if you say she may be conscious of it already, this could be a way of getting around it sort of discreetly.

LegacyUser

Ive suffered from this on and off throughout the years. Ive finally got it nailed now though.

There are so many causes, its likely it is a combination rather than just one!

On how to approach it, do not try indirect things like "does my breath smell" etc she will see right through it, she already knows her breath smells believe me. Girls are paranoid about their hygiene and even if they dont smell they think they do.

There is a test to see if your own breath smells (she will have done this) lick the inside of your wrist with the tongue (not just the tip but the bit at the back of the mouth) allow to dry for a few seconds, smell it, if it smells -your breath smells.

Ok, these are the things I do to keep fresh:

Brush the teeth after every meal, floss first, be fastiduous about disposing of the floss (flush it down the toilet) brush gently (too hard will make the gums recede-this happened to me on one side through over aggressive brushing) but thoroughly with a good toothpaste (ones containing baking soda are good as salt kills bacteria) on the inside and outside of the teeth, get right up to the molars at the back. Rinse the toothbrush thoroughly under scalding hot water, do not store the toothbrush near the toilet, scientific studies show that a flushing toilet has an amazing range and can spray droplets containing e-coli (sh1t) onto nearby toothbrushes.

Buy some interdental brushes (tiny brushes for BETWEEN the teeth) Use a fresh one each time, Get a good mouthwash like Listerene (I use about 2 huge ones a week) and dip the interdental brush in a small amount of it (do not use the lid of the listerene to avoid cross contamination) and slide the inderdental brush between each tooth allowing the listerene to penetrate the area, (do not force it, they come in various sizes depends on the size of the gaps between teeth) Rinse the interdental brush with scalding hot water between each tooth. Throw out the interdental brush after one use and scald whatever container you used for the small amount of listerene.

Then to the tongue, get a soft toothbrush (seperate from your normal toothbrush) if you like their are specific ones you can buy for this, but a normal fat headed one does justr as well. scald it with hot water, put a small amount of antibacterial soap on the brush and GENTLY scrub at the back of the tongue (which can be coated) to remove the colonies of bacteria there. Scald this brush very well after use, you can disinfect all brushes with dettol or milton once a week.

Finally rinse the mouth very well with listerene, including a good gargle. Wash hands and make sure all mouth tools are well washes and scalded. Wash the hands and face to make sure any saliva has not got on them.

Bring a small toothbrush and toothpaste and listerine for during the day in the handbag.

Obviously go to the dentist regularly and see the doctor to eliminate the following:

Digestive system problems.

Lungs: Chest infections cause bas breath, see the doc to make sure all is well there. I have asthma which if I dont keep on top of does not help.

Tonsils/Adenoids: See the doc to make sure they are ok

Nose: Post nasal drip (caused by sinus problems) can be a cause, see a doctor.

Diet, eat plenty of fruit and veg of course, apples are great for the breath as are melons etc
Drink loads of water.
Yogurts also are so important, keep the friendly bacteria at a good level and good for the digestion, which a doctor should also check.

Do not EVER drink coffee, it will make the breath stench.

AVOID garlic like the plague, this is very difficult, even with the most vigilant reading of menues, chefs love to stick the cursed stuff in everything. I honk for DAYS with it. If you get spiked with it, buy a huge bunch of parsley (think the size of your head) cut it up with a scissors and force it down, chew very weel, it will be stuck in your teeth but that deodorises some of the stench out.

Repeat the tooth washing ritual after the parsley.

It is really so sad and underserved what some people have to go through, through no fault of their own and lots of times you will get crap doctors or dentists who have no clue how to help the person.

LegacyUser

Thanks for all the advice especially the last post. Brilliant info there, copied and pasted onto a word doc for future reference. I've done a bit of research as well and it seems that 35% of people have regular bad breath. In many cases people can have regular bad breath even with good oral hygiene. Some people are apparently more prone to bad breath than other but as yet scientists haven't figured out the reasons for this.

I will have a chat with my girlfriend about this now. I believe there is enough known about bad breath now that it can be eliminated for the most part so i feel confident i can bring it up with my girlfriend and try to help her to get to the bottom of it. I just hope she understands why it needs to be addressed and doesn't freak out at me. Fingers crossed.