Halitosis invasion

Nurses Stress 101

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I agree with lots of water and I have found if I keep my mouth shut for a long time it gets icky. Try darting in the bathroom and swishing your mouth with some water now and then.

FYI- if you smoke (as I do) you HAVE to rinse your mouth out before returning to work or you will down a moose at 50 yards! :lol2:

Specializes in Telemetry.
I have recently begun having bouts with cryptic tonsils. When I have tonsil stones, I have the WORST garbage mouth. It's so bad that I speak a little as possible. Do you ever spit out little yellowish, white chunks when brushing your teeth? This is another possibility. I am seriously considering a tonsillectomy. I have learned a HUGE lesson (which I believe will serve me well as I transition into a healthcare career) while dealing with this issue which is to NOT judge people. My breath issue seems like a cut and dried hygiene problem, but I can brush, floss and gargle to my heart's content (and I have tried) but I can not control the bacteria inside the folds of my tonsils! I hope you find the root of your problem. G/L

What are those things?

Sugar-Phosphate

163 Posts

thanks everyone for your suggestions. I see my dentist regularly, and i do not have any gingivitis, or periodontal disease or anything of the like. I may or may not have bad breath, I just work with someone who does, so I feel like I have bad breath too. My mouth gets dry, and I could spit dust lol. I do agree with tongue scraping, yes you will gag, but it is so worth it.

I need to work on my wording hahaha, it was meant to be a fun thread, not a :eek:. I guess I told the punch line and expected a laugh ha, ha?

I mean who has not worked with someone whose breath is so bad you have to stand 3 feet away to minimize the halitosis invasion. Doesn't that make you fear you stink too?

On the up-note, great advice!!!!

Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatric, Hospice.

I know what you mean. Make sure you see a hygienist regularly. You might have some plaque and gingivitis going on causing your breath to smell bad so quickly during the day.FLOSS at least once a day and brush with a soft brush for 2 minutes at least twice. When you're working avoid sugar- this includes sugary gum. Drink water. My dentist also says to avoid alcohol based stuff like Listerine because it can undermine the mucosa in the mouth and cause tiny open areas which of course are great for bacteria!

(I'm not a dentist but some people also swear by swishing and spitting hydrogen peroxide instead of mouthwash).

Also tonsiliths can make you have bad breath too. Make sure you don't have any!

Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatric, Hospice.
What are those things?

Tonsiliths!

Listerine strips, which dissolve and while they can be overwhelming, they leave the mouth smelling fresh.

halkogirl

44 Posts

I have recently begun having bouts with cryptic tonsils. When I have tonsil stones, I have the WORST garbage mouth. It's so bad that I speak a little as possible. Do you ever spit out little yellowish, white chunks when brushing your teeth? This is another possibility. I am seriously considering a tonsillectomy. I have learned a HUGE lesson (which I believe will serve me well as I transition into a healthcare career) while dealing with this issue which is to NOT judge people. My breath issue seems like a cut and dried hygiene problem, but I can brush, floss and gargle to my heart's content (and I have tried) but I can not control the bacteria inside the folds of my tonsils! I hope you find the root of your problem. G/L

I have the same problem! My tonsils are always so swollen and inflamed :crying2: and my breath is HORRIBLE! I also have GERD, which seems to make it even worse. I have been begging for a tonsillectomy, but my doc is opposed to it (and my hubby is also, he almost died from a tonsillectomy a few years back). I got a virus this past winter and my tonsils, which are always inflamed, swelled so bad that I couldn't swallow. I had to go to the ER for steroids and IV fluids. My husband told me that I smelled like death because my throat was so infected. Yuck.

netglow, ASN, RN

4,412 Posts

It's also probably because OP, you are dehydrated!!! Drink water (I know, when?) And chew gum, it'll help with a dry mouth. I rec you try Orbit Mint Mojito.

Libitina

144 Posts

Specializes in Obs & gynae theatres.

Another vote for being dehydrated here. Same happens to me.

JeneraterRN

256 Posts

Specializes in OB, Med/Surg, Ortho, ICU.
Not funny. Any excuse to take a shot at older nurses these days, eh?

Honestly, no offense was intended. I'm sorry this bothered you, it was meant to be witty, not mean. I have the utmost respect for those who have been working in the field for any period of time. I guess I rated it along with blond jokes (my natural hair color.)

emcadams

113 Posts

I get those when I eat a lot of bread/pretzels things like that. Drinking water definitely helps, as does tongue scraping. I've heard it is bacterial buildup, but I am convinced it is some kind of fodder in there (such as bits of bread/crackers/pretzels) that the bacteria attacks and it just builds up until it gets coughed up. Super gross...but best thing to do is tongue scrape, drink water, avoid sugary and bready things or reduce your intake of them. Brush after having bready or sugary things.

Jenni811, RN

1,032 Posts

Specializes in Intermediate care.

Drink lots of water! Helps with saliva production. Halitosis is a result of dry mouth...so suck on hard candies if you need to, drink drink drink drink. Brush on your break if you must. If it continues to be a problem it may be a medical issue that needs to be seen by a phyiscian. But really, we are not here to give medical advice...but sometimes it can be solved with just drinking more water!

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