Why do some people's breath smell like fish?

Breath that smells fishy
Trimethylaminuria is another enzyme disorder in which your body can't break down trimethylamine, an organic compound. This can cause your breath, sweat, and other bodily fluids to exude a fishy smell.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com

How do you get rid of fish breath?

The tongue is the area most likely to host the bacteria that cause bad breath, so a toothbrush with a built-in tongue scraper can help scrub away this bacteria.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on colgate.com

Why does my child's breath smell fishy?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Children with GERD often regurgitate food which can cause oral health problems. Liver problems: When the liver is not functioning properly, the unprocessed bile that accumulates in the body can produce breath that smells like fish or rotten eggs.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kidsdentalonline.com

What does gingivitis smell like?

Gingivitis can cause your breath to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. This is because of the bacteria in your mouth releasing chemicals that smells like these things. If you have gingivitis, you may also notice that your gingiva, or gums, are red and swollen. You may also bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lanedds.com

What do different breath smells mean?

A cheesy smell usually indicates your bad breath has a nasal origin. A fruity smell may indicate uncontrolled diabetes due to increased. A fishy smell may indicate kidney disease, as increased urea levels can cause a fishy smell such as in (trimethylaminuria) An acidic smell can be a sign of asthma or cystic fibrosis.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drstevenlin.com

FISH ODOR SYNDROME (TRIMETHYLAMINURIA), Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

16 related questions found

What does a diabetic's breath smell like?

A fruity odor to the breath is a sign of ketoacidosis, which may occur in diabetes. It is a potentially life-threatening condition. Breath that smells like feces can occur with prolonged vomiting, especially when there is a bowel obstruction.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medlineplus.gov

Why does my breath smell like fish in the morning?

A fishy odor (assuming you haven't eaten any fish) or the smell of ammonia. This is often related to kidney disease and increased urea levels. A fruity smell, specifically if you are diabetic. This indicates an imbalance in blood sugar.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on valleyridgedentalcentre.com

What does periodontitis breath smell like?

The damaging bacteria causing Periodontitis are called anaerobes; they have a distinct odor known in the dental industry as “perio breath.” Quite frankly, it smells like death because it sets up a chronic disease in which vital bone starts to die off.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on doctorsaylor.com

What does stomach breath smell like?

Rotten Eggs. Breath which smells like rotten eggs often indicates an issue that stems from the digestive tract. Because the gut microbiota breaks down sulfur, an eggy-smelling gas is released. Causes for this can include Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on iowadentalgroup.com

What does sinus breath smell like?

Sometimes microbial buildups, growths, or infections in the sinuses contribute to breath that smells like mold or fungus. Sinus infections often causes thick, yellowish-green mucus to drip from the nose or sinuses to the back of the throat.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hagermandentalcare.com

How can I smell my own breath?

If you lick your wrist, let it dry for a moment, then take a whiff, you should be able to get an idea if your breath has an odor too. Another method is to floss toward the back of your mouth, then smell the floss. Or gently scrape your tongue using a tongue scraper or soft bristle toothbrush, then smell the scraper.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on colgate.com

How do you tell someone they smell their breath?

Offering your friend some chewing gum or a breath mint is a casual way of approaching the situation. With this approach, you're not singling them out or making them feel awkward in any way. You may want to consider the fact that your friend may already be aware of the issue and might be relieved to have the offer.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on deltadentalwa.com

Why does my toddlers breath smell like tuna?

Sometimes, bad breath is just caused by smelly foods! Think about your child's diet and what they've been eating. The most common culprits of this are alliums like garlic and onions, smelly fish like tuna, and certain dairy products, especially some types of strong-smelling cheese.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on willowpediatricdentistry.com

What neutralizes fish odor?

Use Vinegar

Mix three tablespoons of white vinegar and one cup of water in a saucepan, and boil for several minutes. Vinegar is acidic, and odors are alkaline, allowing it to neutralize smells.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on southernliving.com

How do you get rid of salmon breath?

Stinky Fish Foods

Be sure to carry chewing gum with you when dining at a seafood restaurant to help freshen breath. Chewing gum can also help to create saliva which works to remove food particles that can stick to the teeth after eating fish. Another quick tip is to add lemon to your fish.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on winnfamilydentistry.com

How do you get rid of tuna breath?

Tuna and Other Fish

Tip: Splash lemon or vinegar onto fish before eating. Acidic ingredients can help TMA bind to water, reducing its potency. Or, chew some sugar-free gum and brushing your teeth after eating may also help with the odor.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on colgate.com

What does diabetes smell like?

If your breath smells like acetone -- the same fruity scent as nail polish remover -- it may be a sign of high levels of ketones (acids your liver makes) in your blood. It's a problem mainly of type 1 diabetes but also can happen with type 2 if you get a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

What your breath says about your health?

Tooth decay, gum disease, surgical wounds, and dying teeth are all causes of bad breath. Postnasal drip. Mucus that hardens in the tonsils can be a cause of bad breath. Chronic postnasal drip and sinus drainage are also bad-breath causes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on everydayhealth.com

What is a deep belly breath?

Belly breathing, also called diaphragmatic breathing, is a breathing technique that helps individuals living with asthma or COPD when they experience shortness of breath. This technique helps to slow down your breathing so you can catch your breath and use less energy to breathe.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lung.org

Does gingivitis smell like fish?

Above, I mentioned that bacteria cause that fishy smell and that it's usually because of an oral infection like gingivitis or an abscess.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on toe-beans.com

Does gingivitis smell like poop?

While poor oral hygiene can cause a person's breath to smell like poop because of excessive bacterial growth and gum disease, sometimes it's a symptom of a more significant health issue.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drsikes.com

What is the smell of decaying tooth?

Tooth decay creates a sulphurous or bad smell due to the enamel and dentine being broken down. As the bacteria consume these substances, they release a gas into your mouth that creates the unpleasant odour that occurs with cavities and rotten teeth.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on harleystreetdentalclinic.co.uk

Why does my pee smell like fish?

Fish Odor Syndrome

Also called trimethylaminuria, this genetic condition can give your pee a fishy smell. It happens when your body can't break down trimethylamine. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. It doesn't mean you're unhealthy.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

Does fish make your breath smell?

Canned fish like tuna or sardines can also leave behind a surprisingly unpleasant odor. The “fishy smell” we associate with fish is the result of a compound called trimethylamines. Lemon juice or vinegar can help to reduce the lingering effect on your breath.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on valleydentalcare.org

Does everyone's breath have a smell?

Almost everyone experiences bad breath once in a while. But for some people, bad breath is a daily problem, and they struggle to find a solution. Approximately 30% of the population complains of some sort of bad breath.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.harvard.edu