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Tips to tell someone they have halitosis, without hurting their feelings
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Telling a loved one or coworker that they have bad breath can be an uncomfortable situation, but it’s totally possible to inform them without making things awkward. In this article, we’ll teach you several approaches to confront someone with bad breath, whether you want to drop subtle hints or let them know directly. We’ll also go over the common causes for bad breath, plus provide tips to keep your breath fresh and clean.
Best Ways to Tell Someone Their Breath is Smelly
Offer someone a mint or gum if they have bad breath. If they turn it down, nudge them gently and say, “I think you need one.” If you want to tell them directly, confront them in a private area and bring up the topic with care and compassion. Practice good oral hygiene around the other person to encourage them to do the same.
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Section 1 of 4:
Ways to Tell Someone They Have Bad Breath
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Pretend that you have bad breath when you bring up the topic. One of the best ways to bring up the subject of bad breath is to act like you have the problem yourself. This is a great strategy to use if you’re not close to the other person because it’s subtle and non-confrontational. Some things you could say to start the conversation include:
- “Is it just me or does my breath smell?”
- “Can you smell my breath? I feel like it’s noticeable.”
- “I’m going to go grab some water, I feel like my breath is terrible.”
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Offer the other person mint, gum, or water. According to etiquette coach Tami Claytor, a polite way to tell someone they have bad breath is to “carry a mint with you and offer it to [them].” [1] X Expert Source Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach Expert Interview. 29 September 2020. You can also offer them a stick of gum or water, since dry mouth can also cause bad breath. For a subtle approach, take a mint first and then casually offer one to the other person so they don’t feel singled out.- If you offer someone a breath aid and they turn you down, etiquette experts say it’s perfectly fine to nudge them into accepting with a kind “I think you should.”
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Practice good oral hygiene when you’re around them. If you’re around someone who always has bad breath, it might be caused by poor dental hygiene, and not just their food or lifestyle choices. [2] X Research source If their bad breath is an occasional problem, it’s likely due to eating certain foods, like onions or garlic, and not brushing their teeth afterwards. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Either way, talk to the other person about your personal routine and show them good dental habits:
- After lunch, you could say, “I’m going to go to the restroom quickly and brush my teeth. That dressing had so much garlic in it!”
- Show them (or talk about) how you always keep floss and mouthwash in your desk because you cannot stand having bad breath.
- If you’re close with the person, you could say, “Would it be weird if I flossed my teeth right now? I feel like my breath is terrible, and it’s driving me nuts.”
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Send them an anonymous note or email. This is the least confrontational option, but it’s still important to use kind language and approach the topic with care and compassion. If you decide to leave a note, place it somewhere private so no one else sees it. [4] X Research source You can also leave gum, mints, or a travel toothbrush kit as a gift. Some message ideas include:
- “Your guardian angel wants you to know that you could use a mint right now.”
- “Hey, I noticed you have something in your teeth. Maybe you could rinse your mouth in the bathroom?”
- “I didn’t want to embarrass you, but your breath smells pretty strong after lunch. I usually pop a mint if I’m eating lots of garlic :)”
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Be direct and talk to the other person in private. Bringing up bad breath can make someone feel embarrassed, but you can minimize discomfort by waiting to approach them when they’re alone. If the problem needs to be addressed quickly, ask if you can speak with them in private and pull them aside. Remember to think before you speak and be mindful of your body language and facial expressions. [5] X Research source Some polite phrases you could use include:
- “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but your breath smells a bit off. I just wanted to watch out for you."
- “Sorry to mention this, but you have some bad breath right now, and I really don't want anyone else to say anything to you about it.”
- “If the situation was reversed I would want someone to tell me, so I thought I’d let you know that you could use a breath mint right now.”
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionIs there a nice way to tell someone their breath smells bad?Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.Carry a mint with you and offer it to that person. If you're extremely close friends, you can also say something like, "I'm not sure if you know this, but your breath is kind of strong today, and I wouldn't want anyone else to say anything to you about it."
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QuestionHow do I tell my boyfriend he has bad breath?Community AnswerUse all the suggestions in the article; a boyfriend is no different than anybody else. Just be kind and honest.
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QuestionMy breath smells, even when I'm far away from the other person. What's the cause?Tom De BackerTop AnswererIt can be any number of things. Ulcers, indigestion, any gastrointestinal ailment. If you're not brushing your teeth frequently enough or properly, or your oral flora is off balance. Maybe you love garlic. If you want to do something about it, try the quick wins first: brush at least twice a day, carry lots of mints, and use mouthwash. If that doesn't help, see a dentist or doctor for advice.
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Tips
- After letting the other person know that their breath is problematic, try to help them solve the problem. Suggest oral health care products to treat their bad breath, like your favorite mouthwash or toothpaste. According to natural health care professional Ritu Thakur, MA, “chewing cardamom, mint, basil, licorice, cinnamon, or fennel seeds can treat bad breath.” [9] X Expert Source Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.Thanks - Pull the other person aside during a low-stress time of day. Talking to them when they’re tired or in a bad mood can make them feel worse.Thanks
- Don’t make their bad breath a bigger deal than it is. Use non-charged words like “noticeable” or “not fresh,” instead of “stinky” or “bad.”Thanks
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References
- ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.
- ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/halitosis-or-bad-breath
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/symptoms-causes/syc-20350922
- ↑ https://answersforme.org/bad-breath/
- ↑ https://www.mainedentalclinic.com/blog/how-to-tell-someone-they-have-bad-breath/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17771-bad-breath-halitosis
- ↑ https://www.dentalhealth.org/bad-breath
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/bad-breath-what-causes-it-and-what-to-do-about-it-2019012115803
- ↑ Ritu Thakur, MA. Natural Health Care Professional. Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.
About This Article
Article Summary
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While it can feel awkward to tell someone that they have bad breath, there are ways to go about it if you want to avoid hurting their feelings. First, you could try dropping some hints about their breath to see if they realize the problem without you actually having to say anything. For example, you could pretend that you have bad breath as a way to bring up the topic with the person, which may cause them to think about their own breath. Try saying, "I'm going to get a glass of water. I think my breath smells." You can also try bringing up the subject directly with the person. Choose a private moment and tell them gently in a sensitive manner. If you don’t want to tell the person directly, instead you could try to tell them anonymously. Leave a note for the person to find which explains in a kind manner that they have bad breath. For more ways to tell someone that they have bad breath, like how to offer them a breath aid, read on.
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- "A good friend has really bad breath, and I have been at a loss as to how to tell her. After reading your tips, I can now do so in a tactful way. Thanks." ..." more
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"A good friend has really bad breath, and I have been at a loss as to how to tell her. After reading your tips, I can now do so in a tactful way. Thanks."
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"My boyfriend has bad breath, and I didn't know what to do and how to tell him."
