Bad breath

Ever wondered why people stand well back when you speak? Maybe it's because your breath smells like catfood.

I should not have eaten all that garlic bread...

Do I have bad 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. Does it smell? If it does, then your breath is a bit whiffy.

Everyone gets occasional bad breath though, so it’s not a big deal, just make sure you do something about it.

What can I do about bad breath?

Some basic oral hygiene will sort your breath out in most cases, 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 (you can buy special scrapers for this, and they’re totally worth every penny).

You could also try:

• Eating less sugary food and drinking less sugary drinks
• Stopping 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 see a dentist because it might be gum disease or tooth decay. And if they don’t have the answers, talk to your GP, as it could be because of a medical condition.

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 and 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. It’ll save them more embarrassment and you won’t have to hold your nose when you talk to them. This article has some tips on how to bring awkward things up.

What if my breath smells when I kiss someone?

Honestly? If your breath is that bad, your lips won’t be getting very close to anyone else’s. 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, then it 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.