How do you politely tell someone that they have really bad breath🤭

[genie2193]

My friend has really bad breath and I mean bad! I’ve tried being subtle about it and offering mints etc but that’s not worked... it’s not that they’re dirty and don’t brush it’s just a constant odour in the mouth. I don’t want to say straight up “your breath smells” but it’s getting gross now. Any advice?

Try telling them you have recently been having problems with bad breath and ask their advice on what to do? It might start them thinking about their own?

I have an ex bf who had halitosis and he told me straight up to tell him if it was bad. Apparently it was a medical issue.

If it was a close friend I would just tell her straight. Not in a horrible way, but I’d say that I wanted to tell her something in case she wasn’t aware and that I would want to know if it was me, then I’d just come out and say that I’d noticed recently that her breath has a strong smell and maybe she should ask her dentist/GP about it.

Can you maybe ask if she’s changed her diet? just say you are now aware of her breath where you weren’t before. That might fine her a gentle prod.

Is your friend likely to take offence?

I can sometimes get bad breath, especially when I've got a cold and I always know if I have because I get a funny taste in my mouth. I am absolutely meticulous about teeth cleaning and using mouthwash etc when I know I'm a bit pongy.
I'm quite upfront about it though, and dh tells me if it stinks and so does ds 😂😂

I would be somewhat upfront about it and say things like ‘just thought I should let you know that your breath smells a bit strong today, wouldn’t want you to feel embarrassed at that meeting, I would want you to tell me if that was me’ etc. But in a caring way rather than a mean way.

It might be that she needs to go to the dentist and has been putting it off etc.

I had a manager that would drink loads of coffee and had constant bad coffee breath - it was awful and made conversations with her unbearable.

Awkward situation, I really don’t think I’d be able to come right out and say it and I would be so embarrassed if it was said to me, However gently. I think id say “did you eat something with ...... last night? Smells really strong!” Rather than saying their breath is bad if you know what I mean