Your partner's bad breath (halitosis) is usually from poor dental hygiene (food bits, plaque, bacteria on the tongue/dentures), but can also signal a dry mouth, sinus issues, tonsillitis, acid reflux (GERD), or even conditions like diabetes or kidney problems, with factors like smoking, certain foods (garlic/onion), alcohol, and snoring also playing a part; a dentist can diagnose the cause, often linked to trapped food or bacteria on the tongue or gums.
Work On Better Oral Health Habits Together
A non-confrontational way to do this is to make it a couple's activity, which you work on together, so that your partner doesn't feel singled out for their bad breath. Whether it's investing in better toothbrushes or a waterpik, make flossing a nightly routine you do together.
Causes of bad breath
eating or drinking strong-smelling or spicy foods and drinks. problems with your teeth or gums, such as gum disease, holes in your teeth or an infection. fasting or crash dieting. some medical conditions, like dry mouth, tonsillitis and acid reflux.
Causes of halitosis
Dental factors – such as periodontitis (infection around the teeth) or poor oral hygiene. Dry mouth – caused by medicines, alcohol, stress or a medical condition. Smoking – which starves the mouth of oxygen.
Bad breath is often a red flag for your oral health — and sometimes even your overall health. For example, chronic bad breath can be a sign of gum disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. It can also indicate cavities, infections, or even systemic conditions like diabetes or acid reflux.
In romantic relationships, halitosis can especially disrupt intimacy. A partner's discomfort can lead to subtle or direct reminders to address the issue, which may create tension or misunderstandings. Persistent bad breath can unintentionally harm closeness and connection, leaving both partners feeling uneasy.
Viruses such as the herpes simplex (HSV) and the human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause infected oral ulcers which can also cause halitosis.
Breath that smells fruity or like rotten apples, for example, can be a sign of diabetes that's not under control. Rarely, people can have bad breath because of organ failure. A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine.
Plaque. Plaque buildup is very unhealthy for your mouth and will cause bad breath. As bacteria grows along your gum-line and between your teeth it creates plaque, which in turn accelerates the growth of bacteria.
Be tactful: Express your emotions without blaming others by using "I" phrases. For instance, "I've noticed that sometimes there's an odour, and I'm worried it might be uncomfortable for you and others." Be kind and supportive: Stress that your goal is to assist and encourage, not to condemn or humiliate.
The odors commonly associated with bad breath include hydrogen sulfide, a gas produced by the bacteria that live in plaque, which smells like rotten eggs. Methyl mercaptan is caused by bacteria found near the gag reflex and in the gums and is often described as smelling like feces.
Gut problems that cause bad breath include: Bowel obstruction. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Use Mouthwash. Mouthwash can help you quickly freshen your breath. This quick fix works by killing the microorganisms inside your mouth that contribute to bad breath. The minty aroma also helps to temporarily cover up any underlying odours, like tobacco.
Bad breath may be caused by health conditions such as diabetes, peptic ulcer, liver failure, kidney failure, and intestinal blockage. Some foods: Even after brushing your teeth, the flavor of some foods, such as garlic and onions, may remain on your breath. Garlic breath, for instance, can last for a day or longer.
Give Your Breath The Sniff Test
You can start by cupping your hands over your mouth and nose, breathing into your hands, and then seeing if you notice a smell. Or if you lick your wrist, let it dry for a moment, then take a whiff, you should be able to get an idea if your breath has an odor.
Emerging research has shown that 85% of people who took oral probiotics for one week experienced a significant reduction in the compounds that cause bad breath. The majority of study participants maintained a reduced level of bad breath bacteria for two weeks following exposure to oral probiotics.
Breath which smells like rotten eggs is often an indicator of an issue stemming from the digestive tract. Because the gut microbiota breaks down sulfur, an gas which smells like eggs is released. Causes for this can include Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.
Research has shown that bad breath can negatively impact relationships. In a 2022 Canadian survey, it was found that 28% of Canadians would end a relationship due to persistent bad breath and the likelihood increases with age.
Almost everyone experiences bad breath once in a while. But for some people, bad breath is a daily problem, and they struggle to find a solution. Approximately 30% of the population complains of some sort of bad breath.
Have you ever wondered if bad breath is a symptom of an underlying oral or health condition? The answer is yes. And you may be surprised to know there is a link between bad breath and pancreatic cancer. However, there's no need to be alarmed because there are various other causes of bad breath.
Fetor hepaticus means “fetid liver” or “liver stench”. It's a type of chronic bad breath that's actually a symptom of liver disease. It has a distinctive smell — some say, like rotten eggs and garlic. It's a serious symptom.
B Vitamin Deficiencies (especially B2, B3, B6, and B12)
B vitamins support the health of the soft tissues in the mouth. A lack of these vitamins can lead to mouth sores, inflammation of the tongue (glossitis), cracks at the corners of the mouth, and even bad breath.
Symptoms of Oral STDs
Gingivitis can cause your breath to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. This is because of the bacteria in your mouth releasing chemicals that smells like these things. If you have gingivitis, you may also notice that your gingiva, or gums, are red and swollen. You may also bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
The main symptoms of trichomoniasis are a yellow-green discharge from your vagina that may smell like fish, and pain when peeing. Symptoms can start 5 to 28 days after being infected, but sometimes you may not get them until much later.