how can i tell someone politely that they have bad breath and they should have mint or gum?
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at
2:42 am
i have a friend and in the morning she has bad breath, i want to tell her to eat a mint but she is very nice and i don’t want to hurt her feelings
Filed under: Bad Breath Gum
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I’ve had to deal with a similar situation. I had a friend at work who was working full time and going to school full time. She hardly had time to sleep, let alone shower. People at work began talking badly about her b.o. She was an innocent, and it bothered me. So, another friend and I decided that we would have to tell her. She considered both of us friends, so we thought it might be better for us to tell her than have people talk about her and make fun of her like elementary school kids. One night after work, the three of us were standing around and I told her that we had to talk to her. Honestly, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to tell someone because she is sweet and has a big heart. I fumbled my way through it and our other friend backed me up. We were expecting her to cry or ask if anyone else noticed, but she didn’t. The next night she met us out for drinks and I’d already had a few so I apologized and drunken-cried a little. She said, "Please don’t feel bad. I just want to thank you for telling me." The fact that you are worried about hurting her feelings tells me that your heart is in the right place. Just tell her that you are not trying to hurt her feelings, but personal hygiene is important especially when interacting with others. I’m sure she would rather know than not. Wouldn’t you?
just offer her some minty gum… thats what I did on the plane ones the guy next to me had very very very bad breath.
A lot of people have bad breath in the morning. Just say "You got morning breath."
dont tell them about their breath but offer them a piece of gum or a mint then take one too. so they dont put 2 and 2 together
Why dont you just offer her a mint?
If it is really that bad just tell her "I am sorry and I don’t want to hurt your feelings but sometimes in the morning your breath is really bad. You should try those —–(insert mint brand ) I use them all the time, they are awesome!"
Two ways:
1. Take out your breath mints, eat one and offer one to her like you’re just being polite, not like "here, you need one".
2. Let her see you using a breath mint and say" Gotta have one – coffee breath!" (or "tea breath" or morning breath")
Say, hey ‘i heard the other day that sugar free gum & mints do really prevent tooth decay’ i’ve had such bad breath latley, so it is sooo working for me’,,,,sounds corny but if you say you’ve got it or had it most people go along with you to try something new..????
offer a mint.
Have a couple of mints and tell her these are the absolute best & you are sharing and not taking no for an answer. You get it done with no drama.
I would say: "Dang girl! You want me to come over tomorrow morning and try and help you track the cat that must be crapping in your mouth when you go to sleep?—-Try that out, it works every time.
take out your mints eat one and ask if she would like one……or maybe its not just morning breath…it could be she has alot of tarter and calculus on her teeth that could be causing the fowl smell…..depending on on how her oral hygien is
The polite way is to tell them alone and don’t add words.
Mints, gum, mouthwashes aren’t the solution, only a coverup. The odors are caused by bacteria, the same ones that are usually beneficial to us, sometimes they indicate maladies.
Brushing teeth doesn’t just clean teeth, it can help cut odors down–be sure to brush the tongue regularly and flossing helps also.
Might I disceetly add that the same applies to sweat. Some persons sweat is conducive to bacteria growth.
Last and most important thing to remember is that often they are quite aware of it, do what they know how to do and it is troubling to them. Nobody really wants to be offensive to others (well, you can’t smell posters YET)…
shoot I would just offer her one each time I see her.
one on one I would perhaps bring up a scenario that "some times folks have conditions but are unaware that they have them".
I knew two people who had very bad breath.
they each needed dental care.
after they got it…everything was cool
she may be so familiar with her own odor that she can’t tell that it is unpleasant.
OR you could make a pact with her and say.."please I would like to think that we are SUCH good friends that if something is wrong you or I could tell one another"
If she seems truly okay .then proceed. but please make sure the two of you are alone and allow her to save face somehow.
ultimately you are doing her a favor do matter how it turns out.
The best way I know is to carry gum and/or mints and offer it to someone if they have particularly bad breath. I know I always accept if it’s offered to me.
that’s hard…all i can say is put a piece of gum or mint in your mouth in front of her and offer a piece really kindly so she will take it…as you are putting a piece in your mouth say..there is nothing like a piece of gum to chase away the morning breath and then offer it to her, kindly….
or leave a pack of gum in her office secretly…
or if you have someone in your office that is very blunt (and your friend) have them to tell her….you don’t want to hurt her feelings but bad breathe is very offensive….