There really is no way to do it. Most people are aware that they have bad breath and do everything they can to hide it. When their efforts have failed and someone reminds them of that, it's embarrassing and hurtful. The only person who can get away with telling someone they have bad breath, is a spouse or a family member. And very often they too end up hurting feelings. If it's at all possible, you could try telling the spouse and the spouse could mention it. As long as the spouse leaves your name out of it, because to have your husband come up to you and say "so and so told me to tell you that you have bad breath" will also be hurtful.

Offer the person a tic tac or a mint. And then add the comment..."when someone offers you a mint, always accept."

A discussions about something like this is probably going to cause embarrassment -- but it is worth it and I think it's important to be direct. When you have a private moment, you can say something like this: "I've noticed a few times that your breath has a strong smell, do you know what's causing that?" A matter of fact, non-judgemental approach could help to ease the pain. There are several causes of bad breath, it wouldn't hurt to study up and gather your facts... and, whether it's true or not, adding a comment to ease the pain wouldn't hurt... something like: "When I was having a problem with my breath, my dentist gave me a lot of insights on how I could improve my dental health".

The best way is to write the person an anonymous note telling them in a polite way that they have a problem. The only thing you need to figure out is how to deliver the note. If it's for a person you work with, just leave it on their desk.

One day, back in the l960s, i told my band director that his breath "ain't makin' it". we have not spoken since. this is what you do not do. i was only 15 years old. My wife and i have discussed this and here is our conclusion. open a pack of gum or breath mints. put one in your mouth and offer one to the offender. the offender will wonder "is my breath bad, or are they offering me a stix of gum out of friendship?" either way it goes, it works. we have used this mehtod for years and have not offended anyone, yet. we are not telling someone they have bad breath, we are gently suggesting it.

There's nothing you can do to guarantee that they won't be embarassed or insulted. But it does depend on the person being told, the way they are being told, and the person doing the telling. The vast majority of people will be embarassed, ocasionally they will react to this embarassment as if they were insulted. No matter how gently the news is broken to them, you can't control their emotions and reaction. Personally, I would prefer to be told, but only by the closest of family or friend and always privately. I personally wouldn't notify anyone who wasn't the closest of family or friend, as I would have some idea of what their emotions/reaction may be. My best buddy, brother, father or spouse do not even have to be gentle about it, they could pull me aside and say in a low tone "...your breath is rotten!" and I wouldn't have any issue about it (other than to ask them for a mint). If you dont feel close enough with the person to deal with it in this way, then I dont think it is your job to inform. The rules for this are similar to body odor, nasal discharge/protrusions, excessive ear wax or any other hygene issue, you gotta stay out of it ...well I do anyway!

Bad breath is an debilitating problem that millions people are faced with every day...There is no easy way to approach a person with this problem but sometmes it is just necessary. Imagine a person walking around all day with bad breath and everyone notices it but no one one has the odasity to tell them. That would seemingly be more emabarrasing than a casual friend telling them their breath is bad..

Wear a World War II gas mask, or, if not available, a surgical mask

Personally I dont think people should get embarassed or offended when someone tells them they have bad breath. If the person who is notifying them is doing it in a good friendly attitude, then the person who has bad breath should just say "oh I do? thanks. you have any gum?" or whatever. If you someone walked up to you to tell you your fly was open, wouldn't you thank them? Sure I might be embarassed but at least someone was nice enough to tell me right? Personally I use the "eat a gum or mint and offer them one too" technique.

Don't be unkind or rightous about it, we all have our moments! This person simply might not realize it's a problem. It could be due to their health issues (maybe not even known - yet), a spicy diet or not drinking enough fluids to rinse their mouth. Dentures or metal fillings also take on an odor when the mouth is dry, plus we naturally make less spit as we age. And we're not all lucky enough to be in intimate relationships, or have family around (or ones that give a damn), that might tell us about personal issues such as body odor or bad breath. I recommend switching it up and using yourself as an example with them. Be overly concerned about your own breath, and apologize to them, offering up mints or gum. This way the subject has been brought up without shame, a little laughter, and they'll now know to be aware - if for some reason they didn't already. You can also tell a story about knowing, or working with, someone who had "fire dragon breath" to get out more details. Express how dreadful it was, but don't go crazy with the tall tail or it might be seen as an obvious lie. Doing it this way, you haven't hurt any feelings, but put them on notice. It makes them aware that other people don't necessarily have to be in each other's faces to catch a whiff of anothers breath. Now, you'll hope this person becomes more conscience of their breath and the problem is solved. But if it happens from this point on, having already expressed your own problem previously, in a casual conversation, it won't be so hard to ever just go "Woo hoo, what did you have for lunch today?" while offering up mints or gum and a smile.

Real answer: Go to http://www.thepayback.com/joke-breath.html. Click on Bad Breath under Help someone with these problems. Scroll down to the nice, not mean, version. Choose to send either an anonymous email or a letter with a gift of toothpaste and mouthwash. An excerpt from the anonymous message: Nice Version (excerpt) Dear (whoever): . . .A friend of yours is concerned about a problem you have and wants to help you. . .You seem to have a problem called Halitosis, common known as bad breath. . . There are solutions to this problem, and your friend would like to help. . . To help control or eliminate this problem, you should brush your teeth at least two times daily. . . Remember, your friend did not want to hurt your feelings-- that's why they had ThePayback.com send you this anonymously. . . All of our letters (nice versions) begin with, "Someone who really cares about you wants you to know. . ."

I think the best solution, before getting intimate is to break the ice i.e., with how was your day, then invite her into the bathroom by suggesting, I have the best remedy let’s take a load off and freshen up together and gently joke I find mint refreshing, provide her with a toothbrush and proceed to brush your teeth, as well do your flossing and mouth washing. I think this will neutralize the awkwardness and unpleasantness of bad breath. Then ask how does that feel with the two of you looking in the mirror together at each other and then look her in the eyes, and give her a kiss.

What a great question, Just lightly hint that u smell garlic and onions and you wonder if there's a barbecue and why you weren't invited. But not really, If he/she is close with you tell them because it saves the embarassment; (once a friend of mine had gotten her period and it leaked down her jeans, but I had no choice but to tell her because she was going shopping, and it was probably for the best, she may have been embarassed, but at least the whole city didn't know)

You have bad breath today and if I get bad breath I wish you'll tell me too. I will appreciate it. Thank you.

There's the subtle way: want a mint? Want a clove? ANd then there's the not so subtle way and to be used only for friends that you are close to and care about. Take them aside privately and expalin that you have notcied their breath isn' as pleasant as it used to be. Do they mayber have a health problem or dental problem? Upset stomachs sometimes cause bad breath. Be gentle, offer help. They will usually thank you. THey may feel embarrassed temporarily but you are saving them further embarrassment.

Put it on yourself. Buy some of those breath strips and put one in your mouth. Then offer them one and say, "I seem to need these after every meal and sometimes between meals. It is surprising how quickly my breath gets a little offensive. I guess that's true of everyone." If that doesn't work, not much else may.

Hi XX,, Since we are friends, there's something I wanted to tell you. I am only trying to help but please accept my advance apology if this happens to cause any offense or embarrassment. Simply stated, you have halitosis. There can be a number of medical causes but I'm sure a quick visit to the dentist will take care of it. As your friend, I want to offer you my dentist in case you don't have one of your own: (Insert Dentist's Ph number and Address) I'll trust that you know that I am not being mean or critical and I am pretty confident that you will take this in good spirit. :-) On a different note... (divert the subject to something positive or an upcoming event, etc) :-) Your Friend, XX

It is really hard to tell someone about their deadly breath, and people will not always have a good response. For instance, I have very stinky breath and, yes, I do brush and floss twice a day, everyday. I just have bad breath. I always see looks on peoples faces whenever i talk. My breath is horrendous. When I talk even I can smell it and sometimes I think I might faint, or even die, I smell so bad. All I can tell you is how not to tell someone about their breath. DO NOT do it in a joking manner, I feel more insulted when I get home and find 20 Bad Breath O - Grams in my inbox everyday. DO NOT announce to the whole word that so and so has deadly breath (this is the most embarrassing, knowing it has happened to me at least a billion times). PS- if anyone can smell my breath through this message im sorry i just cant help that i smell like cow manure onions garlic and rotten garbage all at the same time

Offer them a tic-tac everytime you talk to them. Hopefully, they'll get the hint.

I have been with my "spouse" now for 5 years. He moved in last year and I have REALLY noticed his dental hygiene (or lack thereof). His breath smells SO bad and I have noticed that he really needs to see a dentist as well. Problem is, I have done all of the subtle hints (breath mints, gum), "did you eat something funky today hun"? EVERYTHING. I even told him in the car one day that he needed a piece of gum (being in the closed space every time he talked was making me gag)! I thought he was getting the hint. My daughter (god love little kids) told him flat out one night...."Your teeth stink", which I followed up with, "well we are going to have to take him to the dentist then, maybe he has a cavity"! he is not geting it though and every time he wants to kiss me, I cringe......especially french kissing........BLECH! This is going to cause a strain pretty soon because I have been kinda doing the side mouth almost cheek kiss lately because i can't stand it. I am embarassed when he opens his mouth to talk to people....I wonder what they think. How do I make him GET IT and go to the damn dentist?!?! Do something......HELP!!

offer them a mint or a piece of gum. A reasonable person should graciously accept. I think most people who practice good hygiene have an idea if their breath is not so good. They will appreciate the thought.

Quietly...

I am personally not good at that. I'd probably be more passive aggressive and turn my head away than actually address the issue. My bad. Better: kindly take the person aside and say. "You have a wonderful smile. It would go great with some Certs."

I would just throw out a couple of subtle hints. Such as: I didn't know that there's a fish market in this neighborhood. Did someone forget to flush the toilet? Did you know that the pharmacy has a special on Listerine this week?

I would just keep offering them breath mints and hope they take the hint. If they don't, next time you offer them one, tell them to keep the whole package because you're sure they'll come in handy.

I would give them a hint like pinching my nose or covering my nose with my turtle neck sweater/scarf! If I had one of my kids' fragrant erasers, I would stick it in my nose. I would also offer them gum.

If you are going to be spending time with this person its always honest to tell them the truth, maybe he or she is unaware of the problem.

Just show that person some Altoids.

Grab some mints and ask them if they would like one....I've done this and gave them 4

I sweetly offer them a mint or a piece of gum. If it's a friend or relative, I tell them in a nice way, "you should freshen up your breath."

Just offer them a mint