It would be wise to use words like “off,” “sour,” or “noticeable” rather than “offensive” or “pungent.” Approach the person with a question, not a statement. Instead of telling them that they have a problem, start by asking if they have noticed any change in their breath or taste.
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.
Just lick the inside of your wrist and sniff - if the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure that your breath is too. Or, ask a very good friend to be absolutely honest with you; but do make sure they are a true friend.
You could simply tell them that their breath is smelly, directly but politely. Bring up this sensitive topic with compassion and care, especially if it is someone close to you or you're worried about making them upset.
The rotten egg smell comes from the breakdown of microbes that live in your digestive system. It may be as simple as addressing acid reflux with an over the counter antacid or with a stronger medication if it is more persistent.
However, many people may be too embarrassed to ask a loved one if the problem needs to be addressed. Another possible reason is our natural inability to actually smell our own breath, caused by an opening in the back of the mouth behind the soft palate, called the pharynx, which connects it to the nose.
Is Bad Breath Contagious? You can't catch halitosis from another person but you can contract the bad bacteria that cause it from someone else. The bad bacteria can be passed by kissing, sharing utensils, sharing toothbrushes, and can even be transmitted to and from your pets!
"Most people do have bad breath and just do not know it," he says. Walking around with bad breath is obviously something that most people would prefer to avoid. But before you can cure bad breath, you need to be able to tell if you have it.
It's possible to confront a friend or partner about their problem without being offensive. He or she may be slightly embarrassed at first, but he or she will be very thankful in the long run. Bad breath may be an embarrassing problem, but there's no reason not to break the news gently and respectfully.
Of the survey results, 85 per cent said they would be put off from dating someone if that person had bad breath—outranking poor manners, being late and making bad jokes. Furthermore, 80 per cent said they wouldn't go on a second date with someone if that person had bad breath on the first date.
Most people who have bad breath from the digestive system describe a rotten egg/fish/meat smell due to the bacteria in the digestive system that break down food products into sulfa gases.
The bacteria that cause bad breath can hide in cavities in your teeth. This makes it difficult to get rid of the bacteria when you're brushing your teeth because it's hidden in places that you can't reach. Similarly, these bacteria can hide in deep pockets caused by gum disease.
Ask to speak in private. Be direct (“I'm not sure if you're aware of this but you have a strong odor about you.”) Reserve judgment ( “I don't know if it's from your clothing or if it's a personal hygiene issue.”)
Bad Breath and Relationships. Bad breath and relationships are similar to oil and water: they don't mix. Halitosis can put a severe strain on all types of relationships, be it social, personal or intimate. And bad breath can be a key factor when beginning a new relationship or keeping one going.
You may be scared of hurting your partner's feelings, but being honest about the stinky situation could improve your relationship.
Your dentist will likely smell both the breath from your mouth and the breath from your nose and rate the odor on a scale. Because the back of the tongue is most often the source of the smell, your dentist may also scrape it and rate its odor.
Martha Dawson, D.D.S, “poor brushing and flossing are probably the primary reason, but dry mouth, gum disease, and illness—like a sinus infection or post nasal drip—can also cause some funky breath.” If you've been frustrated that the mints and gum aren't working, you shouldn't be surprised: “Mints and gum will ...
The anticipation of a kiss increases the flow of saliva to your mouth and gives your teeth a plaque-dispersing bath. Bad breath can't be passed on to another person via kissing.
It could be a sign of basic poor oral hygiene – which your boyfriend definitely has – but there can be other sources. Some forms of halitosis are signs of health problems, ranging from periodontal disease, stones in your tonsils, bacterial infections, gastric disorders or even cancer.
Bad breath is usually related to poor dental hygiene. Not brushing and flossing regularly causes sulfur compounds to be released by bacteria in the mouth. Some disorders will produce distinct breath odors.
Sniff your clothes at the end of the day.
Toward the end of the day, give your clothing a sniff. If it smells pungent or musty, it's likely that you've got some body odor. If you want to test your feet for odor, try taking a whiff of your socks or shoes.
Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS), also known as olfactory reference disorder, is an underrecognized and often severe condition that has similarities to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). People with ORS think they smell bad, but in reality they don't.
It would be wise to use words like “off,” “sour,” or “noticeable” rather than “offensive” or “pungent.” Approach the person with a question, not a statement. Instead of telling them that they have a problem, start by asking if they have noticed any change in their breath or taste.