How do you tactfully tell someone they have bad breath?

Answer 1

The best way to tell someone is to "just tell them." Use an honest approach, such as "that you aren't sure how to broach the subject, but that you would want someone to tell you if you had this problem," and that "it could be a health related issue” or maybe “something they've been eating” and need to avoid. I’m just trying to give you some examples that you can use.

If you're still unsure of what to say, try telling a small fib. Tell a story about a "friend of yours that had unbelievable breath and didn't realize it” and “friends were afraid to mention it, by the time he went to the dentist because of some pain he was having, he had advanced perio disease.” “He lost most of his molar teeth, had to have extensive and really expensive perio surgery to try to keep the others.” Just go on about "how much money" (which usually gets everyone’s attention, you can tell him thousands of dollars, which is true) "the pain" and "he's going to have to get partials that he can take in and out of his mouth, only after he has some bone grafting surgery" more added expense.

Don't just offer a mint, or joke with him. Find a way even if it takes a small lie. Sometimes perio disease “mouth odor” isn't noticeable to the person who has it, (just everyone else) but it is an “active infection” that is effecting their whole body. Perio disease can do all I’ve said and much more, if not treated. The reason I keep referring to this disease is because it’s usually the cause of this bad breath that most people have.

It takes a good person to help someone when they don't realize they need the help. Or maybe they do but don’t think others notice. You could be saving him from loosing all of his teeth just because you're concerned about his bad breath. Good luck, I know it's a difficult subject to bring up, you can do it for a friend. Wouldn’t you want someone to tell you if your breath offended others?

Answer 2

I have found the most polite way is I always carry mints because I dont want to have bad breathe and so if someone is talking to me and they have bad breathe I pull my mints out put one in my mouth and then offer them one they think I am just being nice because I needed one and in the process they get one!

Answer 3

I always just offer the person some gum or mints. If you're close friends you don't have to use tact, just come out and say, you REALLY need some gum right now. If the person isn't a close friend, and they refuse the gum or mints, guess you'll just have to keep your distance.

Answer 4

Offer them a breath mint

Answer 5

if that person is your friend buy them some breath mints and mouth wash if they are not stay away from them. because it could be sicking.

Answer 6

Just take out mints or gum and be like... "wow my breath is kickin!... want one?"
most people don't refuse...
especially if you say your is bad first..

Answer 7

Offer them chewing glum. At least you don't have to smell their bad breath.

Answer 8

tell them "dude if your breath was a style of music, it would be FUNK!" you'll make 'em laugh AND get your point accross

Answer 9

walk around with a dentist's mask on.

haha just kidding - um...if you're quite close to them, just tell them straight!

Answer 10

Offer them a box of tic tac's and tell them to keep them.