how do I tell this girl that she has bad breath without being rude?

Question

I know this girl who's really pretty and stuff, but she has pretty awful bad breath (I know because I sit next to her in class).
How can I let her know about it so that she can fix it, without being rude or humiliating her?

Answer 1

Most of the time, bad breath is caused by bad teeth and periodontal (gum) problems. When you are kind to people and they know that you are sincerely interested in their wellbeing, you can get the real stories, such as gastric ulcers, or ulcers due to a certain bacteriacalled helicobacter pylorii, salivary blockages due to post cancer therapy, even some cancers.
Be kind, she may have just survived a life threatening illness.
Another cause of bad breath is hunger, SHe is burning her reserve glycogen. Offer a hard candy or gum, and not the one with fake sugars.

Answer 2

I'd recommend being honest (about the good stuff and bad, to soften things) with her, but doing so in absolute private.
I remember when I was in grade 7, there was a guy in our
class who had severe body odor... eventually some people
got his locker combination and packed his locker full of deoderants which fell out on him one day after lunch.
It was a big mess. Left him hurt for along time.
That's why I wouldn't really recommend the gum or mint thing.
I think it's better to be totally honest, but to do so discretely,
so embarasment is minimalized.

Answer 3

Umm either way its going to make her embarrassed. Honesty is the best but tact goes a long way, never blurt out "ewww you have bad breath"

But I would blow into my hand and sniff and ask her if my breath smelt horrid (hopefully you brushed you teeth). Then say oh don't be offend but it might be your breath that I can smell, and offer her a breath mint, with a huge smile.

Or

Start a conversation about how you love the feeling of freshly brushed teeth, and how your teeth feel so smooth. Then ask don't you?

Failing this carry breath mints with you all the time, and offer her them when needed. (this option can be costly)

Good luck

Answer 4

Da mint bomb.

It’s not what you do; it’s the way that you do it.

You don’t even have to be so obvious as to just offer her Listerine mints.

Instead of making it a breath issue, set a personal example. Make it a personal trend, and an obvious personal trend.

I once had this habit of popping Listerine mints when I was working in a record store. My colleague and I had this little idiosyncrasy. Just before the lunch crowd arrived, he would ask for the ‘time bomb’ (a code name for the Listerine) and we’d pop one each at about 12 noon, just in time for the crowd!

No, mess, no fuss – just a personal trend!

Answer 5

I've never found a way in 60 years to tell some one. I wonder if I have halitosis, and have had it for 60 years, and no one tells me.

I'd just take some Vicks Vaporub or Mentholatum jelly and rub it on my upper lip, so I couldn't smell it. That's what pathologists do when they autopsy a badly decomposing body. Just be careful not to inhale any of it; it can cause lipoid pneumonia, a very bad disease to have. Get it, and you don't have to worry about halitosis any more. Either you'll have it, or you'll be dead.

Answer 6

EXCELLENT question. I once dated a girl, and on the second date she had really bad onion breath. I was afraid to mention it, and convinced myself that she was trying to ditch me without being mean or rude. So I took the hint and left her alone.
Years later, I visited her just as she was getting ready for a Bible Study. Again, she reeked of onion. My heart fell through the floor.
I had dismissed her merely because she liked onions, just as I do! I kicked myself all the way home to my unhappily married wife.

Don't make the same mistake! Make sure you are both clear as to her breath. She will thank you, especially if you relate my story.

Answer 7

Thats a good one. Try striking up a conversation about oral hygene. Most people with bad breath don't floss, so they end up with rotted food in their teeth and don't know it. But others can smell it. And don't forget to recommend to clean the toungue often also. And to garggle with a bit of parroxide and water.

Answer 8

Keep mints or gum with you and when you are around her offer her some and anyone else that's around so you don't hurt her feelings. Hopefully she will catch on and things will get better. It's easy to be mean, be a friend.

Answer 9

Dont tell her. If her breath keeps on kicking no one will ask her to the big dance and it will finally be you chance to swoop in. After you are dating keep lots of tic tacs and gum on hand.

Answer 10

"Your mouth smells funny, I think you need to see a dentist, you have have an abscess or an infection. Sorry to embarass you but I hope you would tell me."

Maybe someday three or four years down the road she will forgive you.

Are her teeth and gums dirty looking?

I have never been able to tolerate dirty teeth, swollen gums and neglected mouth!