do you go about telling this person their breath is so bad it takes yours away? She is not a friend, nor a co worker, but someone I don't know very well, and have no iterest in getting to know better because of the bad breath. I know thats no very fair to her, and I would like to say something, as others probally don't befriend her for the same reasons. She seems like a nice person, but its impossible to hold a conversation with her because her breath is so overpowering. Any suggestions??

I think that you have a choice of not saying anything to her and keep putting up with it, or tell her, nicely of course, about the problem and risk her not speaking to you again or fixing the problem. If you offend her then you won't have to put up with her bad breath. The other thing you might try if you are to scared to say anything about here breath is point out that she is invading your personal space and it makes you uncomfortable. I get very uncomfortable when people stand to close to me, there is an acceptable space for different relationships. if it is casual social conversation people should really not be closer than arms length to you. But I personally would pluck up the courage to say hay, you have a problem with bad breath, were you aware of it?

My supervisor was like that...I couldn't stand to be close to her...Unfortuanetly she was bi-polar with a nasty attitude...Talking to her would only get her mad at you and on your case for awhile...I however did get candy that she liked so when i had to be around her, I offered her one...I am pretty much a chicken when it comes to talking to people...
Perhaps you could do as others say abount dental hygene....maybe if you ask your dentist to give you some brochures about what causes bad breath and all, then the next time you see her, you could start talking about how the dentist gave you these brochures and how he wants you to read through them..get all kinds of brochures so it doesn't look like you intended them for her alone...Maybe you could brag up your dentist and tell how great he/she is...How they care for your health and why teeth are so important to take care of...Perhaps she might start talking about dental topics...That may make an opening for you to insert tackfully the problem....
I have on occasion made it look like I was trying to deal with the issue as myself having it and how I am trying to deal with it or what I am doing to resolve the issue...plant a seed and hopefully it will grow....Good luck...deanna

If you just can;t say anything take the easy way out & write her a letter !!!This worked in a case i know of & the one who wrote the letter never signed it either??carolyn

Dear "Sewfrenzie",

After reading all the advice given below I wanted to add my bit too.

I've worked for a Dentist for the past 10 years and only resigned last Thursday.

Reading what you are saying about this lady I would suggest a visit to a good Hygienist. They specialise in dental hygiene. Often it's people's gums that are the problem as they harbour bacteria and this is what gives off an offensive odour.

Everyone should have a Hygiene checkup every 6 months and a general checkup yearly. Sorry to go on about this but it is a major concern of mine.

People are not aware that if you don't look after your teeth it can make you very ill indeed. As Teri (simplyrosie) has suggested it could also be an underlying health problem with her body.

Love and blessings Chris

P.S. Maybe visit a local dentist and get a brochure on the Hygiene check up for her - she may have gum disease and this is a very serious condition, but it can be cured.

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Thanks for all the wonderful advice! I will have to mull it over and see what I can come up with before I see her again. I too feel honesty is the best policy and thought it might be an underlaying health issue. I just hope the Lord will give me enough tack to handle this without hurting her feelings, as this is the last thing I want to do, and I think I will tell her that as well.

1 comment

by airyfairy 04 Feb 2011

When the time is right you will know what to say.

Just an FYI... sometimes bad breath can be a symptom of a hidden medical condition other than poor dental care. I would suggest to this person that her breath is very potent and offer some suggestions... such as dental check up or even a physical exam from her primary care physician.

I know it's uncomfortable to confront people, but always show enough love for them which possibly unfortunately, may make her disslike you... :-( Know what I mean?

She may not be aware of her problem too... best of luck! :-) teri

I think if you don't know then you don't have the opportunity to fix it! Sew it's worth a try, be kind & gentle but it's better to know. Hugs Loralye

ROTFLMBO....OMG...My daughter has this problem and we tried everything under the sun..forget breath mints and the likes..We found a mouth wash called therabreath that was invented by a doctor..there is something with either stomach gases or gases on the tongue and of course too, unhealthy hygene of the mouth..Good Luck with this one..!!Some people never get the hint when people back away from them so I believe giving them a mint wouldn't be much of a hint to them either...

You don't have to be rude about telling her she has bad breath. It is a 50/50 chance that she does know. More than anything she probably needs a friend so ask her to share a mint with you. At least if you take a breath mint it might change the air a bit. Have on a few occassions told someone talking to me too close that I'm trying to stay healthy and I'll take a step or two back and put my purse in front of me. Also, if she gets close to you, her eyesight might not be good.

This is an awkward situation but honesty is the best policy. When I was a police officer there was this guy (who was new), but no one wanted him to ride with them because he had terrible BO. (he never used deo.) Well they decided to put him with me because they had run out of options. hehehe.... He got in the car and I tactfully told him that he needed to use deo for his BO... (hehehe)... He got a little upset with me and defensive and told me he didn't believe in wearing it. So I told him that no one want him to ride with them. And if he wanted to ride in my cruiser, he would have to take a bath and use deo...The next day he came back and got in my car and he must have taken a bath in cologne I had to ride with windows down. hehehe... ROFL... Not sure which was worse... hehehe.... Eventually he started wearing deo. I don't think anyone had ever told him he needed to take baths often and wear deo.

Sorry that just brought back funny memories....
Back to your question... There are several reasons why she has might have bad breath, from diet, poor oral hygiene, medication...internally... I would definitely offer a mint and let her know that she might want to have her doctor check her breath because it could be stemmed from a serious problem... Truly, honesty is the best way but in a very nice way. She might not speak to you again, but then again you want have to smell her breath either. hehehe.

Best of luck; it's a sticky situation but could indicate a health problem.

Why not make a cute little TicTac holder and give it to you - maybe she would catch the drift.

Just say something, she most likely is not even aware of it. Offer her a mint.

There is no easy way to tell someone they have bad breath, cause it is doubtful that they know it. I, personally, would want to know, but others can be offended. I would want someone to tell me in a concerned tone that they think maybe I have infected sinuses, as my breath seems to indicate infection. Just add that you are trying to be helpful. No matter the response, you will have tried to help her, as well as others she comes in contact with.
Angel

2 comments

by sewfrenzie 03 Feb 2011

I feel the same way, and worry about offending them also. Thays why I put it out here to see what others think.
Thanks

by sewfrenzie 03 Feb 2011

I feel the same way, and worry about offending them also. Thays why I put it out here to see what others think.
Thanks

This is a very difficult situation. I once had to tell one of my staff that she had BO. I still go hot and cold thinking about it now. If you want her friendship you will just have to be honest.

I would keep a packet of breath mints in my bag and offer her some.
If she refuses them you could say something like: "I'm truly sorry but you really do need these"
Not very subtle I know, but people sometimes just don't realise they have bad breath and honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.

She may even thank you for it, and if she takes offence, well, at least you tried.

My husband had his bowel removed and because of this he constantly has bad breath, the only cure for it is if he takes a GOOD Bacteria tablet called Inner Health Plus, every day. They are the only thing that has worked and they work really well.

Good luck and just be gentle.
HUgs and gumnuts, Meganne

2 comments

by sewfrenzie 03 Feb 2011

I have a friend that we go out dancing with who eats them like candy and it doesn't help, lol!

by meganne 04 Feb 2011

No, I didn't expect they would help, other than to break the ice so you can talk openly to her about her problem.

You'll be able to tell immediately (by her reaction) whether she is aware of it, or not.

Breath mints are only good while they are in your mouth but sometimes if you have too many they can cause diarrhoea and that' a real smelly problem. YUK!

Good luck with it.
Don't forget to let us all know how you handle it. :-)))
Hugs, Meg

I hate to admit it but, my mom's is bad too. Maybe not quite that bad. She know's it and has tried everything. I think you should let this person know, it's a hard thing to do, but you are right, other people are probably backing away too.

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by baydreamer 03 Feb 2011

chlorophyll ..all natural deodorant drink, also for the digestive system.

You could offer her a mint and tell her she should get that problem checked out from the doctor. Could be a nasty sinus infection, bad teeth, or even mouth cancer. Tell her she must get it checked out immediatly for her own health. Tell her you are concerned for her. Hope that helps. Suzanne