How do you tell a friend about something like bad breath without hurting their feelings?

Answer 1

I always carry breath mints around because I have allergy problems and worry about my breath. I have only been told I have bad breath a few times, and usually only upon waking or if I am ill or have eaten pungent food (such as garlic or onions). Those telling me have been family members. To avoid being told this to begin with, I suck on a mint after eating a meal or every couple of hours if I am unable to brush my teeth. If I am around someone with bad breath, I take the opportunity to let them know in a way that doesn't come out and tell them, that they MIGHT have bad breath, by getting my mints out, putting one in my mouth and offering them one. As I offer them one, I say "Want a mint? I'm not saying you need one - I'm saying I do because I always worry about having buffalo breath. Since I'm having one, I just wondered if you want one too". Most of the time, the person will take a mint and they won't think that I am telling them they have bad breath - they are just thinking that they should take one just in case they do have bad breath. This is a sensitive topic. Some people can take it when someone says to them "Dude - you need a mint!!" Others are crushed if you even hint at it. I guess it depends upon the person. If it's my son (rarely), I'll say "Here - you need a mint". If it's my daughter, I'll say "go brush your teeth". Someone else, I will try the suggestion I mentioned above.

Answer 2

You might want to start by telling your friend that you're going to talk to them about something because you ARE their friend. Then mention the problem. Explain that you wouldn't be a friend if you didn't bring the problem to their attention.

You also might stress to them that it concerns you because you've noticed it for awhile and it just might be a medical condition. Ask them if everything is okay medically? If so, just suggest that they might want to watch their diet (maybe the offensive breath always follows a particular dish or meal?). Suggest that they chew fresh gum (or mints) often. And don't make a HUGE deal out of it. You could say something like, "Hey, I need to talk to you about this. I'm concern because I've noticed the problem and I just want to make sure you're doing ok? Are you feeling well? Is there something going on with you that I need to know about? How can I help you?"

Assure your friend that you're a real friend and real friends can discuss anything. After you've mentioned the problem and got the answers to your questions, slyly move onto the next discussion with something like..."That Jim really ticked me off last night! Guess what he did this time?"...That way you can both avoid the awkwardness that follows uncomfortable conversation and move on.

By the way: if your friend doesn't accept your news in the spirit of love that it's given, then maybe YOU need to find a new friend.

Answer 3

oh noooo... you poor thing. You've done everything I would recommend, but I think it sounds like this boy needs some medical help. Constant halitosis is a sign that something is wrong with his health. Either he needs more water or is missing a nutrient somewhere. Remove all junk food from your house and bring him lots of glasses of water. After you have been together for a while, you might ask him if he's been to the doctor recently. When he answers "why?" you might say "Well, I noticed your breath is pretty strong and I am concerned, often that is a sign of some kind of illness and I am worried about you." This only really works on REALLY close friends and lovers, so don't try to use that on like, coworkers or something. But I do hope he does something about it, for your sake. It's not uncommon for romances to end because one person is made unattractive to the other because of something like that. it really can kill the relationship.

Answer 4

Don't tell them that their breath stinks in general. Sometime when your alone, and you're about to go somewhere with them, gently say something like, "Hey, I'm telling you this so nobody else will notice but me, but today you might want to pop in a breath mint or something before we go. I remember once when I ate this garlic thing, and then went to this party..." ect. Tell them their problem quickly, then immediately start telling about your own bad breath story, or if it's never happened to you, a b.o. story or something. If you mention "today", then they won't be so embarrassed or hurt like they would if they knew that their breath has been stinking for a long time, but at the same time they'll be more aware of their breath after that, and an embarrassing story about yourself will make both of you feel more comfortable about it, and make the situation more humorous. Your friend will probably laugh and thank you.

Below is another way to do it, that I've done before myself:

Tell them, "Hey, if there was something embarrassing that I felt I should tell you, would you like me to tell now you now so you won't get embarrassed more?" They'll look anxious, making sure their pants are pulled up and nothing is showing, stuff like that, then reluctantly want you to tell them. Then tell them gently, and, since they've already considered a lot more embarrassing things that it could've been, like their crack showing, having huge pit stains, or their crush hearing that he/she sleeps with a night-lite, and they'll be relieved that it was something as small as having stinky breath, and thank you.

Answer 5

Just tell them and also tell them that you are not meaning to be mean but you want the best for them. You can also make a joke out of it but if they dont take it as a joke, tell them you are sorry and give them a breath mint like gum or a tic tac.

Answer 6

Get them alone and tell them straight that their breath is chronically bad. Offer them a solution... brushing of tongue, mouthwash, whatever. Let them know that you you're telling them this because you are their friend.
Making a joke of it can be ambiguous ("does it really stink or was he just kidding?") and carries an element of shame with it.

Answer 7

I would make a joke out of it..but if you can't do that give your friend a breath mint.

Answer 8

Take out a piece of gum, Chew on it. then ask do they want a piece.

They will have fresh breathe without even mentioning it to them.

Answer 9

gosh, especially among guys, i can't imagine a guy not just telling another guy straight-up, 'hey man, your breath stinks!'; i think it would be harder among women, but maybe not! and as far as between couples, my husband and i tell each other all the time. you just gotta come out with it! i mean, say it with a laugh, but say it!

Answer 10

Just tell them. I told mine. I said, "What's that smell?" She said , "What?" I said, "Oh, that's your breath" and we laughed. Nobody's exempt from having bad breath.