Bad breath

Maybe I shouldn't have eaten all that garlic bread...

Ever wondered if there’s a tried and tested method for how to smell your own breath? Do you find yourself desperately trying to make your breath smell good before kissing? Then this article’s for you. 

How to smell your own breath

Smelling your own breath isn’t easy, so try licking your wrist (not in public), letting the saliva dry, and then giving your wrist a quick sniff. If it smells bad, there’s a good chance your breath does, too.

Everyone gets occasional bad breath though, so it’s not a big deal.

What can I do about bad breath?

Maintaining basic oral health will be enough to avoid bad breath in most cases. This will prevent food particles from getting stuck between your teeth and gums, causing not just unfortunate breath odours but potentially tooth decay, infection and future trips to the dentist for fillings (or worse!).   

Follow these simple steps:

1. Brush your teeth every morning and evening for two minutes.
2. Use mouthwash.
3. Floss between your teeth.
4. Keep your tongue clean with a tongue scraper (they’re totally worth every penny).

You could also try:

• Eating less sugary food and drinking less sugary drinks.
• Giving up smoking.
• Drinking less coffee.
• Drinking more water.
• Chewing sugar-free gum after eating.

If you’re doing all of these things and you’re still having trouble with smelly breath then professional dental care is in order because it might be gum disease or tooth decay. If they don’t have the answers, talk to your GP, as it could be caused by a medical condition.

Check out our guide to NHS dental treatment here.

Does dieting give you bad breath?

Not all diets cause bad breath, but crash diets, when you stop eating or eat loads less carbs, can make your breath smelly. Basically, without carbohydrates your body has to get energy from somewhere and will start breaking down fats, this releases chemicals which make your breath smell. Vomiting also causes bad breath, which is why it’s a symptom of Bulimia.

On the other hand, cutting down on junk food, sweets and fizzy drinks, and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables will make your breath smell better.

Should I tell my friend they have bad breath?

If someone always has stinky breath they probably haven’t noticed themselves, so the kindest thing to do is to tell them. Be kind, and it might just save them from further embarrassment in the future. Try reading our article on how to tell a friend they smell for some tips.

How to make your breath smell good before kissing someone

 You can make sure your breath is fresh by sneakily brushing your teeth or chewing sugar free gum after you’ve eaten. If you take care of your mouth and teeth day to day, with regular brushing and flossing, then fresh breath won’t be an issue when it comes to those all important moments.

Will oral sex make my breath smell?<

If your partner’s genitals smell or aren’t clean, then yes, your mouth might smell after oral sex. But if you both keep your penis or vagina clean, and your mouths clean, then this won’t be a problem for either of you. Just brush your teeth afterwards.

Also, some infections, like thrush, can spread from the genitals to the mouth. Wait for the infection to clear up before asking someone to give you head.

Looking for more help? We’ve got loads of advice for dealing with body problems here.