Seemingly wonderful guy, but bad breath

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2005
Seemingly wonderful guy, but bad breath
5
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 10:14am

I'm in a dilemma here...I recently met this guy, and we've had 3 wonderful dates in a week so far. He's been showing much interest in me and makes me feel comfortable with him.

He's been really, really nice to me I can't complain, except for 1 thing - he's got bad breath. I noticed that on 2 of the 3 dates, and worse, he kissed me on our last date, it was quite hard for me to tolerate.

If he's sincerely as nice as he appears to be (it's too early to tell in 3 dates), then he's near-perfect except for the bad breath. Therefore i do want to give him a chance, but I can't have him kiss me, it's such a turn off.

I'm thinking if I should still date him, but I haven't met a man who's so into me. What should I do? I can't avoid kissing him all the time, but how do I tell him his problem? Please don't advise me to give him a mint, it might work for a while, but the germs are still there and it's still not hygenic. What am I supposed to say to him? I'm also wondering if his previous gfs have told him his problem before and why he hasn't had it fixed.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 12-13-2006 - 10:57am

lindayt05..

Pianoguy read your post and got a flashback to a comic retort from comedian, George Carlin:

"GOSH MARGE...ANYBODY CAN HAVE BAD BREATH..BUT YOURS COULD KNOCK A BUZZARD OFF A S**TWAGON!"

Rather than use this line on your b/f...began your dates together by offering your b/f a Certs breath mint. Take one yourself too!

This way...the two of you will be in sync with each other...at least in the "breath department!" GOOD LUCK!

Pianoguy

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-24-2006
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 11:12am
Oh no, this is a horrible dilemma to be in. I had this same experience with a great guy as well, and in the end I couldn't tell him and I had to end it. It was gross. I was not able to think of any nice way to tell him except to ask him if he brushed his teeth...and I often just wondered if he had been to a dentist in a long time. ick! I have no regrets! If you really are comfortable telling him just do it and get it out of the way. I am sure he will be happy you told him than to have him have bad breath for the rest of his life. Sure it will hurt when you tell him, but it's for the better. If you can't just tell him, hint A LOT. Not necessarily a mint all the time because that won't last in it's effectiveness. To be honest, I don't know how to hint because I wasn't able to do it! Just remember that if you stay and don't say anything, you are just putting yourself in a position that you don't want to be in!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 12:43pm

Just my opinion, based on experience (having dated a couple of men who had bad breath, and also having a friend who has chronic halitosis), but offering a breath mint or gum is often not going to work.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2005
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 11:30pm
Yeah it's a horrible situation. I'm seeing him again this sunday and am stressed about this. A mint won't help as I noticed he's got bad teeth - I dared not even look too closely or I wouldn't want his mouth on mine. U're right, the final solution would be to I tell him than carry on like this and have me avoiding him....but I don't know how to tell him without making him feel so embarassed.
Oh dear, I am thinking if I should end this too, but he seems so into me. I'm hoping I will see his other flaws which will make it easier for me to make that decision.
I think I will have a casual discussion on dental care n appointment and see how it goes.
Wish me luck... :(
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2004
Fri, 12-15-2006 - 6:52pm

Lindsay, think of it this way. One of the things that lots of people don't realize is that chronic gum disease and decaying teeth cause heart disease. Believe it or not, having a lot of bacteria in the mouth seems to translate into atherosclerosis and eventually heart attacks.

You will be doing him a favor by telling him he needs to think about seeing a dentist. He might have grown up in a family that just doesn't realize how important dental health is.

The mouth bone's connected to the heart bone! :-)

Chick