I discovered I had bad breath when I smelled an awful smell and suddenly realized it was coming from the mouth. As time went on I noticed even when my mouth was closed my breath would still stink up the area. I also noticed the comments "It smells like shit", or "Who farted?" or whatever. It's embarrassing because I know that I brush my teeth daily and scrub the tongue until I start gagging and floss and all of that stuff but my breath still smells. I chew gum and mints but that doesn't seem to help at all. People cover their noses or try to move away when I talk and it irritates me because I know exactly what they are thinking. They think I don't brush my teeth or practice good hygiene which is completely not true. I obsess everyday over brushing my teeth. I've even thought about investing in this expensive oral hygiene kit.
One time I was at the bus stop by myself not talking or anything and these two girls commented that i smelled like shit and saying that I should go home and shower and they sprayed perfume on themselves. I had my headphones in and looked down and pretended not to hear what they said but that comment really affected me. People at school also apply lotion or spray themselves when I'm around. And at my school or probably anywhere you go people will talk behind your back and cover their nose or spray but will never say anything to you because that's how people are. I want to talk to people and actually be able to raise my hand in class and speak or talk more in a group but this problem really holds me back. It's especially frustrating when people don't understand what you're going through. I understand that the smell is hard to deal with but I wish people knew that I'm not stinking up the place on purpose and that it's a health issue maybe rather than me just not taking care of myself.
I have actually been struggling with body odor too. I would sweat like crazy and recently because of the cold whether my sweating has decreased but now i have to deal with this new issue and it's frustrating and annoying to feel like you've solved one problem just to jump into another one. I try to cover my mouth at all times which may seem weird to other people but that's the only way I can come up with for now to somewhat decrease the spread of the bad breath. I chew gum constantly and even when my mouth feels fresh when I chew the gum the smell is still there and just minutes later it seems like my bad breath has taken over the gum and it loses its flavor. I even chew four pieces of gum at a time which doesn't help at all. My self confidence has depleted so much. I'm dealing with bad breath and body odor plus school work(i'm in high school), family problems , and feeling down and depressed about my problem doesn't help at all. In school I cant even focus on the lesson or my work because i'm constantly wondering if my breath smells bad and thinking about how others are reacting. I've even faked being sick to go to the nurse and be sent home halfway through the day because I couldn't even think about facing the rest of the day with my terrible breath. I hate meeting new people because the first thing they will notice is probably my breath. Not to sound conceded or anything but I don't think i'm ugly but this problem that I'm having automatically makes me seem unattractive and like someone you wouldn't want to be around. I'm not thinking about killing myself or anything but I feel like if this problem persists I might become deeply depressed or more isolated than I already am. I'm isolated as it is because I really don't want to talk to people with this problem and I absolutely dread those people who like to talk up close because I know I will see a reaction from them which is not what I want to see. I'm also more quiet and standoffish in school or when I'm out mostly because I don't want anyone to try to talk to me anyone so why not give them a reason to not come up to me at all. I hate acting this way but I can't face the criticism from others either. I wish there was a cure for this terrible problem.
If anyone has suggestions or even wants to share their story please respond because I would be happy to discuss this issue together.
