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MORRISVILLE, N.C. — Most of us have experienced that awkward moment: detecting someone’s horrifically unpleasant breath and wondering whether to say something. A nationwide survey reveals this dilemma is remarkably common, with 62% of Americans having been told their breath was less than fresh at some point. But how comfortable would you feel letting others know about their pungent problem?
The recent survey of 2,000 Americans by Affordable Dentures & Implants uncovers how people tiptoe around the delicate social situation from both sides of the conversation. After all, it’s one thing to have to tell someone they stink, but how about being on the receiving end of the news?
Who Gets The Honest Truth?
When it comes to telling someone about their bad breath, most Americans don’t hold back. An overwhelming 86% of respondents would tell someone about their breath issues, with partners being the most likely recipients (69%). Friends and family members tie for second place at 43%.
Workplace dynamics create a more challenging environment, with only 24% willing to mention breath issues to colleagues. Regional differences exist too. Folks out West (12%) were most likely to inform strangers about bad breath, while Northeastern residents were most reserved (7%).
Men demonstrated greater directness overall, being 7% more likely than women to mention breath issues to colleagues (28% versus 21%). Among friends, 45% of men would broach the subject compared to 40% of women.
Dating and Bad Breath
Bad breath significantly impacts romantic prospects. When faced with a first date with breath issues, 80% of respondents said it would affect their experience, with 25% stating they wouldn’t want a second date.
Response strategies varied widely: 12% would cut the date short but remain open to seeing the person again, 25% would offer breath fresheners, and 13% would directly mention the issue while continuing the date.
Age played a factor in tolerance levels: 35-44 year olds were most likely to take a zero-tolerance approach, with 30% saying bad breath would prevent them from seeing someone again. Gender differences appeared here too, with 5% of men willing to kiss a date with bad breath compared to only 2% of women.
When It Happens To You
The gender gap becomes particularly pronounced when receiving this feedback. Women were nearly 10% less likely to report being told about their breath odor, with 42% saying this had never happened to them, compared to 33% of men.
Interestingly, while 62% of respondents reported telling their partner about bad breath, only 33% acknowledged being informed by their partner — revealing what researchers termed a potential case of “selective memory.”
Young adults were more likely to receive this feedback from friends, with 26% of 18-24 year olds reporting this experience. Regionally, Westerners topped the list of those who had been told about their bad breath (66%).
Beyond Embarrassment
While socially uncomfortable, persistent bad breath can indicate underlying health concerns. Persistent bad breath that doesn’t improve after brushing teeth or that returns quickly could indicate conditions like tooth decay, gum disease, or tonsil stones
Dental professionals recommend seeking help if bad breath persists despite regular oral hygiene. As experts from AffordableDentures advise, “If the odor doesn’t go away when you clean your teeth in the morning or after a meal, or comes back very quickly, we’d encourage you to make an appointment with your local dentist to make sure there’s no medical issue causing it.”
Methodology: The survey was conducted by Affordable Dentures & Implants in March 2025. It sampled 2,000 Americans across all regions of the United States (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West) and across various age groups ranging from 18-24 years old to 45+ years old. The survey asked respondents about their experiences both giving and receiving feedback about bad breath, their approaches to handling these situations, and the impact of bad breath on social and romantic interactions.
