Bad breath

[iwbus]

I have to spend some time with someone who is very close to me. Their breath reeks and it makes me feel sick (no REALLY it makes me feel SO ill). Any tips on what I can do to stop feeling sick? Firstly Polos have no effect and secondly I couldn't possibly tell them what the problem is. Off you go!

[irisred]

Firstly polo's will not work as they have sugar in and the sugar will only add to the problem.

However, if they really do have a serious problem have you thought about leaving an anonymous note or some breath freshener for them to find? It sounds harsh but it does save you the face to face problem.

If it is that bad it could be a medical problem, you could bring up dentists or something in conversation perhaps?

Good luck!

[iwbus]

But I have to go out with them tomorrow!!!!

[banana]

Unless you are very close to them it would be unkind of you to bring to subject up just now (although it would of course be much better in the long run).

I bet your friend has tried all the bad breath 'cures' already .I can only suggest that you do what others who have to deal with nasty odours do -put some vapourub along your top lip and plead sinus trouble.

[Scarlett]

You can buy some Halls very strong (black packet) throat sweets. If you eat them you won;t be able to taste or smell anything else all day! Offer one to your mate, it might help their breath.

[nfn]

a tip from someone who has to smell EXTREMELY bad whiffs at work (believe me, you've NEVER had a bad smell till you've smelled rotting flesh), put a small amout of vicks vapour rub under your nose. It was recommended to me by a pathologist and it really does work!

[nfn]

sorry banana, didn't read your post properly! D'oh!

[Dreaming]

get him or her to lick the back of their wrist, let it dry, and then smell it (I know, its disgusting) but that lets the person sniff what their own breath smells like.

(1) Dont know though how you will get that into the conversation

and

(2) No I dont have rancid breath. Honest!

Good luck.

[spaced]

tell them to look up the word Halitosis. That should give them a hint

[Morrisonker]

ask them if they want some chewing gum or something, or Smints. If they refuse you could always say something like 'don't you find that your mouth feels a bit horrible after coffee (or around midmorning/whenever or whatever you've been doing with this guy), i always feel I like I need to brush my teeth again.' Hopefully he'll take the hint and not feel to bad about himself because you've not outrightly said anything about him and said you're in a similar situation.

Telling anyone outright that they have bad body odor/breath is incrediably rude and cruel, no one wants to be on the recieving end of that.

[mash]

If they are very close to you, you sound tell them. If you do it in the right way then they will probably be more concerned about it than you. I know I would be! You don't have to make a big deal of it or explain ithat its all the time. Just the thought that it was once should be enough for them to consider it in future. If you don't sort the problem properly sounds like it will spoilt your friendship/relationship. Are you really always going to use mints or vick everytime you see them?