Bits of foods stuck between your teeth are fed on by bacteria. Bacteria poop, and it smells bad. Floss releases the bad smells as it gets rid of the offensive materials.
Bacterial disease processes in the mouth stink. So, if you’re flossing, then the bacterial growth should come from an area that the floss cannot reach.
This is a periodontal pocket underneath the gum that the floss cannot reach; or a cavity between the teeth.
A dental check-up and a scaling might do excellent jobs. Also, use a water-pik, it helps.
How Can I find the Area Where the Smell is Coming From?
Do you floss on a daily basis and still get the smell on your dental floss? To find out where this odor is coming from, move the floss a bit so that it is a fresh unused portion going between each set of two teeth so that you can then isolate where this odor is located.
If it is specific to one or a few areas, you could have a periodontal pocket or tooth decay in those areas. Then it would be best to see your dentist and dental hygienist for a proper diagnosis.
If you discover that the odor is between all of your teeth, try flossing two times a day for several weeks to see if this reduces the bad smell.
If there is still no change, then most likely this issue is the normal smell of bacteria that have grown between your teeth for a period of 12-24 hours. And it is nothing to worry about.
Is It Normal For It To Smell When You Floss?
Yes, it’s not normal. Most times, this smell is typically from food particles that were not removed and that have begun to rot. However, if the smell is a result of tooth decay or gum problems that are harboring odor-causing bacteria then you may need to see the dentist.
What Is That Smell When I Floss?
Why When You Floss It Smells Bad? This smell is typically from food particles that were not removed and that have begun to rot. However, if the smell is a result of tooth decay or gum problems that are harboring odor-causing bacteria then you may need to see the dentist.
Why Does My Breath Smell Like Poop When I Floss? [Causes and Solution]
Here are some possible causes of why your breath smells like stool, and how to treat bad breath that smells like poop:
1) Poor Oral Hygiene
Improper hygiene remains the #1 reason for a terribly odorous breath. Fecal-smelling breath as a result of poor oral hygiene is caused by a buildup of bacteria.
Why Do I Smell Poop When I Floss? This build-up of bacteria could be from plaque between your teeth, food particles, gum disease, and accumulation in your gums. . Improperly cleaned dentures may also result in this issue.
A chronic dry mouth allows for additional bacteria growth since there is no saliva around to flush it away. Other factors to keep in mind could be infrequent professional dental cleanings, irritation or inflammation of the mouth, nose or throat (such as tonsil stones), oral infections, tobacco, or medications resulting in dry mouth.
2) Abscessed Tooth
Why Does It Smell When I Floss? An abscessed tooth is another common cause of feces breath.
It refers to a condition where the tooth becomes infected, even if it’s not painful yet. This infection is far greater than cavities (typical tooth decay). Instead, it’s when the pulp of the tooth itself becomes infected and is usually marked by severe pain.
Treatment typically involves endodontic surgery, root canal, or even a tooth abstraction. The odor of shit you smell on your breath originates from the buildup of pus from the bacterial infection.
3) GERD
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a condition where a person suffers consistent acid reflux. This disease can result in fecal-smelling breath since it makes your stomach acid flow back into your esophagus.
GERD, in most cases, is accompanied by constant heartburn that ranges from moderate to severe in discomfort, as well as possible difficulty with swallowing, the feeling of a lump in your laryngitis, throat, and so on.
When acid backs up into the food pipe, those odors will be present on your breath. Bacteria can mix with the backed-up food and acid, resulting in the fecal smell.
You should seek medical help to be examined. So that the cause of the problem can be further examined.
4) Sinus Infection
A sinus infection typically starts out as cold, but it’s really different. Yes, its symptoms will last longer and deal more damage than a cold virus because of the bacteria continuing to populate within your tissues.
Your sinuses are air-filled pockets and an infection results when they become filled with fluid and collected bacteria.
Bacteria can create additional pus, discharge, and a post nasal drip, all of which may result in your poop-smelling breath. The extra mucus production results in more bacteria, which then aggravates the infection, and in the end, your breath.
Lots of people might have sinus and not even know. This is because these infections mostly manifest as tooth pain, headaches, fever, or a singular post nasal drip.
Though the symptoms may not seem conclusive, when they are accompanied by feces-smelling breath, be sure to book a doctor’s appointment.
Antibiotics are what work against sinus infection and this is what the doctor will prescribe. Rounds and rounds of antibiotics are more effective against bacterial infection than a viral cold.
5) Bowel Obstruction
Why Do My Teeth Smell Like Poop When I Floss? A bowel obstruction is a dangerous and serious situation.
This occurs when either intestine is blocked and as a result, feces back up within the intestines, and recently eaten food is unable to move through the intestines.
Due to the backed-up food, the bacteria ferments and causes bad breath.
Bowel obstructions are highly serious and life-threatening. So, treat it seriously by seeking medical attention right now.
Other symptoms of the blockage could be vomiting, nausea, inability to pass gas, a rapid heart rate, and abdominal bloating and pain.
Why does it Stink When I Floss?
Floss should smell clean and in fact, one can use the smell to locate the area where the problem is.
Sometimes, the rotting food in-between your teeth is the culprit, particularly meat. Kind of like roadkill that is rotting in the sun. You get the picture?
Another possibility could be that your flossing technique is not as good as you think it is and you are missing plaque.
It can also be an indication that you should undergo a periodontal exam and cleaning because you have bacteria beneath the gum line and these are anaerobic bacteria their activity of destroying soft tissue and bone results in that smell.
Floss Smells Like Death, Why?
Your floss might smell like death because of plaque, dental cavity, and wisdom teeth.
Plaque consists of bacteria and is what ends up in bad breath. Most times, we don’t notice it. However, some factors can make it worsen though, such as you get a pocket in the gum between the teeth.
This can hold on to bacteria and food materials and could further make your bad breath worse even when you floss regularly.
If this happens at the back teeth then food particles and bacteria might be stuck in between the two teeth. A dentist might need to take some x-rays of your teeth to see if that is what the problem is.
A third thing that could odor is wisdom teeth, especially the lower ones.
Yes, there is usually not enough room at the back of your mouth to clean the outside of the wisdom teeth with a normal toothbrush.
A dental hygienist might be able to recommend a special small brush to reach these hard-to-get areas, and may also recommend dental picks instead of flossing if you have any trouble.
I would recommend you see a dentist and get them to check this out.
When I Floss It Smells And Bleeds
Gum disease is the reason why your gum smells and bleeds. So, see a doctor immediately.
ALSO SEE: Why Does My Poop Smell Like Popcorn?
What Does Stomach Acid Smell Like?
Stomach acid smells like sulfur-smelling gas.
Bad Breath From Stomach Bacteria
Bacteria caused by ulcers can lead to bad breath.
What Disease Is Associated With Feces Smelling Breath?
- Gum disease
- Ulcer
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Breath Smells Like Poop Cancer
Yes, you can smell colon cancer. It smells like really bad poop on the breath and it is so strong you could smell it if you were in an elevator with someone who had the poopy breath.
So, get yourself for colon cancer if you don’t already have it.
My Girlfriends Breath Smells Like Poop
I know it might sound crazy now, but you have to kiss her. The reason is that your saliva contains good bacteria (assuming you don’t have a bad breath) and her’s contains the bad ones. So, if you give her your good bacteria, her breath vanishes.
Now, if that fails then you have to tell her of the problem in a caring way but never during your passionate moments (that will cause her to get way too conscious in bed, moving forward).
Just mention that you’ve noticed an issue and then offer one or two solutions. You could mention that you knew XYZ who had it and did ABC. Or you could say that you’ve read about solutions for it on Quora.
Next, you have to be willing and put in the effort to help her fix it. A lot of bad breath results from the tongue. Some from dehydration (dry mouth due to alcohol, coffee, etc) or incorrect brushing.
Ask her to invest in an electric toothbrush (to be used twice a day), a Water Pik (if flossing seems tedious), and a stainless steel tongue cleaner (Amazon has a few choices). No mouthwash (dries the mouth and is actually counterproductive is used long term).
My Girlfriend’s Breath Smells Like Fart And I Can’t Kiss Her
She needs to go to the dentist. Obviously, she has a cavity or abscess. Tell her to brush her teeth and tongue with a little baking soda. And floss every day.
The Bottom Line
Has it been long since you had your teeth cleaned? If your floss stinks, it most likely has bacteria and smelly discharge on it from the bacteria.
I would go in and get a thorough cleaning of your teeth done by a reputable dentist. Also, use mouthwash that is antibacterial in nature.
Remember, you can still get bacteria under the gum line even if you’re flossing and that stuff needs to be cleaned out with dental instruments.
If you do not get this done, your gums will recede and more of your tooth will be showing. If you still neglect this, you will see more and more of your tooth showing, and eventually, it will fall out.
Smokers highly have a tendency to suffer this as the hot smoke and chemicals in the cigarettes are very bad for the teeth.
They leave a stain on them and it is rough. The bacteria get onto this rough surface and they can stay there for a longer period of time. It is not a smooth surface and a toothbrush will not get a stain out. You need to have them cleaned.