Bad Breathe

This could certainly be any number of things. If he's not a very good teeth brusher, he could have tons of tartar and plaque buildup...deep into the gums that a toothbrush won't get out. He may just need a good deep cleaning (different than a regular 6 month cleaning) and some oral hygiene instructions. I would visit a dentist first...this would be very easy to rule out. If that's not it, then definitely see a doctor.

Get him to a dentist, preferably a specialist.
I just spoke with a doctor yesterday who's breath could knock out a horse.
I used to work for a periodontist~gum specialist~and I can still recognize the breath of someone with a gum infection. Longstanding gum infection leads to teeth and bone loss and even heart attack.

Hi C.!
If he had diabetes then his breath would smell unnaturally sweet, so, no, foul breath isn't a sign of diabetes.
It IS a sign of dental problems. I would go to the dentist ASAP.
Oh, has he started chewing tobacco lately? That makes for the worst breath!

My husband also has an issue with bad breath. He hadn't seen his dentist in almost 2 years, due to wanting to switch dentists and of course, procrastinating.

So I finally made an appointment for him to see MY dentist and he went. Well, now he has a series of appointments set up for various tooth and gum work. He was diagnosed with gum disease, the cause of his bad breath. Unhealthy teeth and gums may lead to other health issues too.

Absolutely make an appointment for your husband. I'm glad I did, even though it would have been nice if he did ;-)

possible infection
though my hubbys breath always stinks the night after he eats red meat.

I would definitely start with the dentist. My friend's son just went through this and when he went to the dentist they found his molar was growing sideways which caused a whole in his wisdom tooth. This caused the bad breath.

Hi C. have your husband see a doctor about his breathe. He could have some health issues.

Does he go to his dentist every 6 months for his routine cleaning and exam? If so, you may wish to go to the doctor.

If he does not do this regularly, then he should start with the dentist. The combination of things you mention would make anyone have dragon breath if they didn't get regular cleanings every 6 months as recommended.

you know it could be reflux or gingivitis. Does he use Colgate Total brushing and then floss with the tooth paste in his mouth, brush again and then gargle with peroxil or linsterin cool mint only. these are the specific brands that will work and he has to floss with the tooth paste, doe she have gum disease? Gi issues?

I am one of those people with the large tonsils and bad breath. I floss, and brush my tounge religiously. My husband makes fun of me because when I'm brushing, he'll say, are you done yet? As for the little white things, yep, they're awful! My ear, nose, and throat Dr. recommends gargling with peroxide. If your hubby can't do that, mix it in with a nice minty mouthwash! Good luck! If it's his tonsils, it's probably not going to go away!

Sounds like tonsil stones...pick them out like another post said

Bad breath is also a sign of kidney disease. I would have him see the doctor soon as most people do not know they have kidney disease.

Dentist. Many illnesses stem from the mouth. He also could have some tooth decay or he needs to start scrapping his tongue.
Does he brush his tongue at least once a day? Does he brush his teeth at least 2 minutes at least once a day? Does he use Listerine mouth wash every morning and night? Scope does not cut it. Does he use a manual or battery ran tooth brush? Battery is the best. If he uses Listerine already have him follow his brushing with brushing with Listerine. And make sure he is flossing and massaging his gums.
My husband struggles with this problem that is how I know the routine.
If he chews gum, Eclipse is the best sugar free gum for bad breath. The flavor lasts and lasts.

S.

C.,

I'm a full time dental hygienist, 1st time expectant mom. I would first suggest that your husband goes to the dentist! Because of his history, that you provided, it definitely sounds like he is a candidate for some gum infections, possibly periodontal disease.

While it is true that diabetes can affect the health of his mouth, I would only be worried about that if
1)he has a family history of diabetes,
2)he is showing other signs of the disease (excessive thirst, problems with blood sugar, etc),
3)his breath would have a fruity smell to it, possibly almond scented.
Periodontal disease has it's own distinguishable smell, and it is definitely not fruity.

I hope this helps! Also, let me know what area you are in, and maybe I could recommend a dentist office.

S.

You are right about the bad combo. It is amazing that we think we can put all this garbage into our bodies and then expect that we will be healthy and are so surprised and shocked when we get a bad diagnosis from the doctor. It would be like pouring garbage in the gas tank of our car and then being surprised when the engine burns out. Mt Dew has a lot of sugar and caffeine and should be reduced slowly so as not to get a terrible headache. He has a few choices, keep doing what he's doing and go to the doctor in which case you can let him know that he must get more life insurance on him (mean yes but what he is doing to his body is meaner); he can gradually get off the Mt Dew, start eating better, and reduce the cigarettes, while getting on a probiotic (I imagine his engine needs to be flushed and good flora added) and take some alfalfa, celery, and put an apple in the blender with some water and have him drink this in the morning (apple actually helps you wake up better than caffeine). My question is where does he get this bad diet? If it is possible you could make a lunch for him daily it will both save money and his health. Prepare salads and only complex carbs with lean chicken and lots of veggies that are either raw, steamed, or lightly stir fried in olive oil. Have him drink at least 8 glasses of plain pure water daily thoughout the day not all at once. There is much much more to do but this may be a start. Diabetes can be reversed with diet and exercise. Maybe a trip to a good doctor will scare him into making changes in his life. I hope so. Any more suggestions, let me know.

Hi C.,
Have his thyroid checked. My brother suffered from bad breath for years and since he got his underactive thyroid checked and is taking medication for the thyroid (my whole family has a history of underactive thyroid) he never had a problem with his bad breath again.
Good luck,
M.

Hi. I would suggest starting with a tongue scraper. You can pick them up anywhere. They gently scrap the top layer of your tongue off and if you have germs and bacteria growing on there it will come off. It's that bacteria that can make some really bad breath. That's the simplest. Bad breath can also be associated with gum disease and other things, so try that, and if that doesn't help, then I would suggest either the doctor or dentist.

does he have any other signs of diabetes? the combo of all those things is most likely what is making the smell and well that isnt going to change until he stops it. But with that sort of diet diabetes is possible.

My husband had really bad breath when he had a cavity he was taking forever to deal with. I say try the dentist first.

Doctor first, then dentist.

Good luck!

If he's flossing, using mouthwash, and brushing his tounge and roof of his mouth and still has the bad breath....than I would have his doctor check it out. Could be alot of things. (some not as serious as diabetes, so don't worry yet) Good luck =)

Both! And keep us posted because I know someone else with the same problem ;)