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.