A little more tactful than, "Did you just eat a pile of shit
or what?"
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (AP): How do you tell your
friend, your co-worker or your spouse that he or she has bad
breath? Leave it to a trained professional.
A new service by the Center for Breath Disorders allows
people to send an anonymous and tactful message breaking the
news.
The free letter which can be sent via e-mail or U.S. mail
explains that bad breath is a common problem and that it is not
always the result of poor oral hygiene. The message then
directs the user to a Web site selling a $40 fresh-breath
system created by Philadelphia dentist Jon L. Richter, who
founded the Center for Breath Disorders in 1993.
"This is such a taboo subject that people who have the
problem or people who know other people who have the problem
rarely bring it up, even with a spouse," Richter said
Monday. "We thought it would be great for people to communicate
anonymously with others that they have a breath odor problem
and that it is very simple to correct."
The letter says: "Someone close to you who cares has
requested that we forward this information to you. We
understand the difficulties a person faces in both their
personal and professional lives due to a breath odor
problem. ... You're not alone."
Tracy Gillett of Albuquerque, N.M., contacted the hot line
about a co-worker.
"It is not like their fly is down and it is an immediate
need or that it will eventually correct itself. It is an
ongoing problem, one that is giggled about and discussed behind
their back but not ever said to their face," Ms. Gillett said.
Some people have thanked the center for the advice. "They
say, `I don't know who did it, but I appreciate the tip,"'
Richter said.
Some e-mails complaining about bad breath offenders
demonstrate why it's better to leave the letter writing to a
trained professional.
"Her breath reeks. It smells like a 3-hour-old used baby
diaper," one person wrote. Another said: "Please, please,
please, for the good of humanity and my own nostrils, please
tell this person that their breath is kickin' like Bruce Lee."
The Center for Breath Disorders can be reached via e-mail at
drbreath1(at)aol.com or call (888) 373-0911.
