You’re getting ready for a romantic date night with your boyfriend when he makes an offhand comment that your breath smells a little. Ouch!
That hurts. Now you’re wondering why your boyfriend would say something so blunt and if your breath really smells bad.
This is an uncomfortable situation no one wants to be in. But don’t panic. There are some simple, reasonable explanations for why your boyfriend made this comment.
It may even have nothing to do with you or your hygiene habits. And there are also some practical steps you can take if you have bad breath.
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Why Does My Boyfriend Say My Breath Smells?
First, don’t assume the worst about your oral hygiene. Many factors can cause bad breath, and they’re often temporary.
Here are some potential reasons for bad breath that are no one’s fault:
1. Foods and Drinks
- Garlic, onions, spicy foods – The compounds that give these foods their strong flavors can linger in your mouth and cause bad breath. This effect is usually worst in the hours right after eating them.
- Coffee and alcohol – Both coffee and alcoholic drinks can dry out your mouth, which allows odor-causing bacteria to thrive.
- Sugary foods – Bacteria feed on sugar and release stinky compounds as waste products.
- Diets high in protein – High-protein, low-carb diets may produce chemicals during digestion that cause bad breath.
2. Dry Mouth
Saliva naturally washes away odor-causing bacteria and food particles. When your mouth is dry, these odors build up, leading to bad breath. Some causes of dry mouth include:
- Dehydration – Not drinking enough water can dry out all your mucous membranes, including your mouth.
- Breathing through your mouth – This dries out your mouth over time.
- Medications – Hundreds of common prescription and over-the-counter drugs list dry mouth as a side effect.
- Smoking – The heat and chemicals from smoking desiccate the mouth.
- Anxiety – Stress and anxiety can interfere with saliva production.
3. Infections
Infections in the mouth provide ideal conditions for stinky bacteria to thrive. These include:
- Gingivitis – Inflammation of the gums causes sulfur compounds that smell bad.
- Periodontal disease – Bacteria build up under inflamed gums and release foul gases.
- Throat/sinus infections – Both these common ailments increase bacteria in the back of your throat and nose.
- Yeast overgrowth – Too much yeast (candida) in the mouth promotes smelly bacteria growth.
4. Morning Breath
During sleep, saliva production slows way down. Bacteria continue multiplying and releasing odor compounds that build up overnight. Everyone has stinky morning breath for this reason!
When to Worry About Bad Breath
As you can see, temporary bad breath can be caused by foods, lifestyle factors, and infections that come and go.
This bad breath usually disappears once you identify and treat the underlying cause.
However, persistent bad breath that never improves could signify a more serious health condition requiring medical attention. See your dentist or doctor right away if you experience:
- Bad breath and pain, swelling, or bleeding in your gums can indicate advanced gum disease.
- Bad breath plus white patches or sores in your mouth are signs of oral thrush, leukoplakia, oral cancer or other dangerous disorders.
- Foul metallic breath odor – This is often a kidney or liver failure symptom.
- Bad breath with other unexplained symptoms – Malnutrition, diabetes, reflux and low-carb diets can cause persistent stinky breath and other issues.
Let your boyfriend know you’re pursuing professional help for your chronic bad breath. Work together to get to the root cause instead of making hurtful comments.
What to Do if Your Boyfriend Is Right
If your boyfriend say your breath smells, and it is indeed true, don’t fret. In most cases, you can identify the cause and find solutions.
Here are some steps to take:
- Review your oral hygiene routine – Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once daily. Be sure to brush your tongue, too gently. Use a mouthwash to kill the germs brushing missed.
- Check for tonsil stones – Carefully inspect the crypts and crevices of your tonsils for foul-smelling white or yellow clusters. Use a cotton swab to dislodge them if present gently.
- Drink more water – Carry a water bottle and take sips all day to stay hydrated. Drink at least 64 ounces daily.
- Chew gum or suck on mints – They stimulate saliva flow to wash away odors. But sugar-free options are best for your dental health.
- Adjust your diet – Avoid pungent, sugary and starchy foods. Load up on high-water fruits and veggies to create natural mouth moisture.
- See your dentist – Have a professional dental exam and cleaning to rule out severe disease. Ask about bad breath remedies.
- Check for side effects – If it started recently, look at any new meds you take. Consider switching if they lead to dry mouth or odd smells.
- Try a tongue scraper – This tool can better remove smelly bacteria buildup from the tongue surface than brushing alone.
- Use mouthwash wisely – Don’t just mask odors. Seek antibacterial formulas that attack the root cause.
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Talk to Your Boyfriend About It
If his comment embarrassed you, let your boyfriend know in a calm, non-confrontational manner. A good partner will feel remorse and apologize for saying it the way he did.
Explain what you’ve discovered about your bad breath and the steps you’re taking to fix it.
Let him know how he can support you in getting your oral hygiene back on track.
Part of being in a mature relationship is tactfully and lovingly bringing up difficult topics like this instead of making rude, blunt comments.
Work together to build both your confidence and your communication skills.
When to Let It Go
Sometimes a stray mention of bad breath isn’t worth dissecting. You can probably let it go if he only made an offhand comment and didn’t seem seriously concerned.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Does my breath seem fine to me and others I’ve asked?
- Is this the first time he has ever commented about my breath?
- Did he make the comment in a lighthearted manner?
- Does my boyfriend have sensitivity to smells that most people don’t notice?
- Could a temporary reason like garlic breath explain it?
If you answered mostly yes, chalk it up as a one-time offense not worth worrying over. But if he continues bringing it up frequently, it’s time to take action.
Have Patience – Change Takes Time
Improving your oral hygiene and combating bad breath takes diligence and daily effort. You won’t notice instant results overnight.
Explain to your boyfriend that you are working on it consistently, and ask for his continued patience. Also, remind him to express any concerns gently and with sensitivity.
Your enhanced dental routine and breath improvement strategies will pay off with time.
Don’t let one embarrassing comment derail your confidence. Take steps to look and feel your best in your relationship moving forward.
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Final Thoughts
When your boyfriend say your breath smells can feel like a jab to your self-esteem. But don’t assume it means you have poor hygiene – many factors can unexpectedly cause bad breath.
Have an open, honest talk with your boyfriend about how his comment made you feel.
Then investigate possible reasons for the bad breath and take strategic action. Share your plans with your boyfriend and ask for his support.
With a daily oral health regimen, adjustments to your diet and lifestyle, and high-quality dental care, you can conquer bad breath.
Don’t let it undermine your confidence. Take back control of your oral health and smile proudly, knowing you made positive changes.
Now that you understand why bad breath happens and how to treat it, you’re prepared to move forward with fresh breath and an even stronger relationship.
For more useful tips on improving your self-esteem, oral health, relationships and more, explore the other articles here on elizegan.com.
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