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Dental Health  (Expert Forum)
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Bad Breath/Smelly Floss/Smelly Saliva
Answered by
Jerome Bogin, D.D.S. - Dental
Questions in the Dental Health forum are answered by Dr. Jerome Tsang and Dr. Jerome Bogin. Topics covered include bridges, cavities, crowns, and x-rays.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Bad Breath/Smelly Floss/Smelly Saliva

by Sep, Mar 02, 2006 12:00AM
Hi



I've had a bad breath problem for a while, and have been trying to cover it with continuous gum chewing! I'm really getting sick of this, and especially the gum. Every year I see a dentist, and he tells me there's nothing wrong with my teeth or gum. Other conditions:



* I do have an ulcer which was discovered just last year, but I took some pills for it and now my family doctor refuses to do another checkup/gastroscopy (welcome to Canada!).



* I don't know why, but recently I've developed a lot of flem, and I do a lot of spitting in the first 2 hours of the morning (although I still go to the washroom and spit again every once in a while during the day). The flem does not smell nice at all either. The doctor has given me a nasal spray for allergies, and he tells me this might be the cause of problem, although I've been using it for a week now and see no difference.



* I started flossing my teeth again after a while just 3 days ago, and i noticed the floss smells after flossing. Actually, I don't even have to get the floss near my nose, i can feel it immediately after I floss each tooth (some more than others).



* I also have a root canal, but I'm not sure if this is relevant.



I'm really really tired of this problem. It's the most frustrating medical condition that i have, always worrying about my breath. What should I do, and how can i determine what's the source of my bad breath?



Thanks.
Doctor's Answer

by Jerome Bogin, D.D.S. , Mar 04, 2006 12:00AM
It is normal for the floss to have an odor from the bacteria in your mouth. I think if you are diligent about flossing every day or even more than once a day  you will find that the odor diminishes. It is possible that the bad breath is coming from a gastric problem or related to drainage you seem to be having from your sinuses. If you are good about your oral hygiene then I think you have to look for a medical solution.
Member Comments (12)

by TriciaAS, Mar 02, 2006 12:00AM
when was the last time  you had your teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist?

by Sep, Mar 03, 2006 12:00AM
I'm not quiet sure. Every mouth and teeth related cares I do outside Canada when I go back home, and to be quiet honest, I'm not sure who a dental hygienist is and what it translates to in my home language. All I know is that I checked up with a dentist this summer, filled one tooth, and then checked in with another dentist who took this sharp thing and cleaned under my gums (which bled a lot). She told me I need to floss more, but everything else looks fine.

by Sep, Mar 04, 2006 12:00AM
Oh I must add that the smell goes away when i eat obviously, but comes back in half an hour after I have my meal and reaches its peak half an hour later. I'm not quiet sure, but it seems whenever i have a green salad the smell is worse.

by TriciaAS, Mar 04, 2006 12:00AM
A dental hygienist (which is what I am) is  someone who cleans teeth, and prevents gum disease.

There are several reasons why someone could have bad breath. It sounds like to me that you do need a thorough dental cleaning.

Your oral health is very important, and is related to your over-all health.

Everyone has bacterial plaque in their mouth, and after about 24 hours if you haven't brushed or flossed your teeth, the plaque finds a home on your teeth and under your gums. This plaque becomes sticky and if it's still not removed, the minerals from your saliva, mineralize the plaque, making it very hard. Then it is called tartar. Plaque and tartar causes bad breath, makes your gums inflamed and eventually bone loss.

by shy78, Mar 04, 2006 12:00AM
I use a mouth wash called ACT that you can get at a drug store, and you rinse with it once a day for one min. it is supposed to get rid of bad breath and gingivitis and plack. I think it is very helpfull.

by funkynina, Mar 15, 2006 12:00AM
To: Sep
I agree with TriciaAS. My husband gets the same thing. I always make him go to the dentist (b/c I'm a dental asst.). I have scaled his teeth b/4 and he has some very dark tartar below his gums so I got him to go get a good cleaning this always helps him. But, everyone is different. I suggest you go to the dentist for a major cleaning they may even reccommend you have a root plaining or deep cleaning go for it. Your friends and your gums with thank you! Not to be weird or anything, but I think sometimes taking a laxitive can help too. That can maybe flush out your "nooks and crannys" and help also. If you can take this with your gastric problems. I bet you could find out the translation for what you need to say on the inter-net!! Good-luck!

by ash§cash, Apr 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: sep
hi! first let me tell you that when a dentist or an oral specialist tells you that there is nothig wrong with your mouth do not believe him/her.I have suffered a lot due to their careless attitude.now about a the rootCanal it is very imortant to get it checked. in my case the problem was the rootCanal.it was done in 1999 all these years it was covered by an ceramic crown, which eventually brokeoff my tooth that was where I use to get foul smell as I used to floss.the x-ray for that tooth showed dark infection spot on the bottom of the tooth.but my dentist never took that spot seriously infact he changed the crown for the same tooth saying there must have been some gap where there could be food lodgement and ask me to floss that area in future. now after  6 months my crown cameoff due to chewing of neemsticks.because I put more pressure on that tooth .I am using NEEM STICKS.(an Indian medicinal herb ment for mouth & body.it is the best remedie for any mouth problems)check neemamerica.com but you still need to check your rootCanal.its always good to have natural remedies for better oral health.& I was also suffering from dry mouth that is the main reason for bad breath. one problem in our mouth can bring in multiple complictions.for you need lot of saliva in the mouth which is the natural agent to provide enough oxygen & that won't allow bacteria to breed on your tounge which is the breeding place for all the odour causing bacteria. please floss immidiately after eating. do ask me ?s as I have experinced more then one year of bad breath,drymouth,gumproblems,tounge related ?s & any thing todo with Indian herbal remedies like Neem & Miswak.goodluck

by rodium, Apr 27, 2006 12:00AM
Hi, im suffering from really bad breath, i brush my teeth in the morning but theres still a smell thats really uncomfortable, its like a metallic taste in my mouth, and a whithish coating on my tongue.....



i eat something and the smell returns like in 15 minutes..i get embarresed to get close to people.....

i have tried ACIDOPHILUS which is a tablet and is meant to kill bacteria, didnt work!



I am seeing a NATROPATH he gave me a natural substance that cleans your bowel, and kills bacteria called CHLOROPHYLL, he said this works with allot of people, i had 2 bottles-still didnt work!!



im sick of chewing gum all the time, coz once its out of your mouth the bad breath continues.....



Now my natropath has given me a Homopathic drop called MERCURY i will try that and let you guys know, please if theres anything else, let me know, its quite frustuating because it can be all sorts of things.....

by urgent need, Apr 27, 2006 12:00AM
Hey everyone outthere in cyber land, I also have suffered from bad breath but unfortunately for me it has been there as long as I can remember. what I would love is for somebody to help me and all the others that suffer from this dbilitating condition.



Like many others I too chew gum and chew it as much and as long as possible. Whilst I am chewing I feel a sense of relief and than bang reality hits once more and I am forced to stand clear of all next to me and to revert to saying nothing even though I have much to say.



Has anybody got any any advice that can help. Please!!!

by breathhelp, May 28, 2006 12:00AM
I also suffer from bad breath, but I've recently learned the cause may be years of taking antibiotics for acne!!  Sadly my doctor never told me that after years of taking this medicine one of the side effects could be bad breath.  It has done wonders for my skin but my breath stinks!!!  So acne or bad breath... hummmm!!

by Blaat82, May 31, 2006 12:00AM
I also suffer from this problem.  Has probiotics worked for anyone - it's never done anything for me but I only take 2, maybe 3 a day.  And if it has what brand or mg are you taking?



Has anybody ever tried Flora Balance?



I get so frustrated at all the ads I see for the "perfect cure" mouthwash like Therabreth, or Breath