Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news, especially when it comes to something as personal as foul breath. It’s not easy to break it to someone that they have bad breath. It’s the same level of discomfort that happens when you have to tell a friend that they need to put on some (or more) deodorant. These smelly situations can be tricky, which is why it’s important to approach the conversation the right way.
But before we begin solving for this problem and making assumptions, it’s worth learning about the primary reasons why your friend might have bad breath to begin with.
Common Reasons for Bad Breath
The most common culprit for bad breath? Bad oral health routines. If you’re not brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly you’re missing out on your number one defense against cavities and gingivitis, which all cause bad breath. The reason flossing is so important is because when you floss, you are able to reach your gums at a level your toothbrush can’t. On this level, you can remove excess food particles leftover from brushing that would otherwise get packed on your gum line.
But not all bad breath is because of bad oral health habits. Some people who take certain medications suffer from dry mouth, which create an ideal environment for bad breath to thrive. This is because when our mouths are dry and aren’t producing saliva, bacteria is able to grow faster. This causes mild and sometimes severe foul breath.
Diet choice could also be playing a role in bad breath.Diets like the keto diet are notorious for causing foul breath. During the keto diet, the ultimate goal is to get your body into a fat-burning state of ketosis. While this may aid in losing weight, the process produces chemicals in your body that ultimately contribute to bad breath.
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How to tell Someone They Have bad Breath
Offer Up Some Chewing Gum
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.
Pretend Like Your Breath Is Bad Too
If you’re going to go with this approach, you have to be willing to do a bit of acting. Let’s say that you and your friend just ate lunch at Taco Time. While it was a delicious meal, the smell of onions and peppers that your friend had with their nachos has permeated their mouth. You may not have a bad breath problem right now, but for the sake of your friend and everyone they come into contact with, now is the best time to pretend like you do. Mention something to your friend like “My breath is so bad after that meal. Isn’t yours?” At this point, your friend is likely to be more willing to agree because the problem isn’t just about them, it’s about both of you (wink, wink!).
Tell Them Directly
If neither of the above options have worked for you, the direct approach is a good last resort. Keep in mind that this approach works best if you already have some level of friendship established with this person. If you want to be direct, you can do so in a few different ways. You could simply tell them directly to their face, which is okay if there are no other bystanders or friends around to judge and make jokes. Another way to tell them directly would be to send a simple text message. You never know whether someone is aware of how bad their breath is, which is why gentle reminders are so important.
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