how do people not notice their bad breath?

[Kevin1211]

i dont understand... the moment i notice my breath stinking, i quickly go for a stick of gum or a tic tac. If i dont have any, i simply dont talk closely to people. yet there are those people that simply dont care how their breath smells like.. when conversing, no matter how much i try to back away from them, they always seem to move closer.. at least ask for a stick of gum or something... why dont they notice their bad breath?

 

[grohl]

Great stinkin' question.

 

[Amused]

Most often a person with halitosis CANNOT tell their breath stinks. Especially those with chronic halitosis. Also, people with acid reflux cannot tell how bad their breath stinks.

Your assumption is incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: Kevin1211
i dont understand... the moment i notice my breath stinking, i quickly go for a stick of gum or a tic tac. If i dont have any, i simply dont talk closely to people. yet there are those people that simply dont care how their breath smells like.. when conversing, no matter how much i try to back away from them, they always seem to move closer.. at least ask for a stick of gum or something... why dont they notice their bad breath?

you know, you are so right, and i have been wondering this myself. I usually don't even wait to realize mine, i just always have mints or gum if i am going to be talking to people.

 

[henryay]

I only notice it in the morning. I guess your brain gets used to it as the day goes on? It's like how if you cover the mouth and nose with your hand, you would not be able to notice the odor if you try to smell your breath.

 

[moshquerade]

skunks don't smell their own scent.

 

[clickynext]

Some people don't notice. How do you know for sure that you always notice?

It is really annoying, though.

 

[Kevin1211]

Originally posted by: clickynext
Some people don't notice. How do you know for sure that you always notice?

It is really annoying, though.

because i dont have people backing away from me and/or covering their nose when im talking to them.

 

[EvilYoda]

Yeah, with some people it makes you wonder...I always have a mint or Mento around to make sure that my breath is okay.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: Amused
Most often a person with halitosis CANNOT tell their breath stinks. Especially those with chronic halitosis. Also, people with acid reflux cannot tell how bad their breath stinks.

Your assumption is incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis

From that page:

One's own breath odor is often undetectable due to habituation, although many people will have an accompanying bad taste (metallic, sour, fecal, etc) depending on oral dryness and the degree of breath odor.

WTH? How exactly do you get fecal breath? If you happen to have fecal breath, your bad breath may be low on your list of problems.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
skunks don't smell their own scent.

Thats not true, skunks abhor their fowl spray. Its their last resort method of self defense.

For people, just casually offer them an altoid, tic tac, or gum, if you have them and continue your conversation.

I've been carrying cinnamon altoids on me for the last four months and not always because I have bad breath, rather because it keeps me from getting various snacks throughout the work day.

 

[ManyBeers]

Originally posted by: Sluggo

Originally posted by: Amused
Most often a person with halitosis CANNOT tell their breath stinks. Especially those with chronic halitosis. Also, people with acid reflux cannot tell how bad their breath stinks.

Your assumption is incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis

From that page:

One's own breath odor is often undetectable due to habituation, although many people will have an accompanying bad taste (metallic, sour, fecal, etc) depending on oral dryness and the degree of breath odor.

WTH? How exactly do you get fecal breath? If you happen to have fecal breath, your bad breath may be low on your list of problems.

Havn't you ever had a piece of food caught between your teeth ? If it has been there for any length of time it will smell like crap.

 

[drum]

it just seems like i can 'tell' when my mouth feels nasty.

I have to think not going to the dentist would compound this?

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: Sluggo

Originally posted by: Amused
Most often a person with halitosis CANNOT tell their breath stinks. Especially those with chronic halitosis. Also, people with acid reflux cannot tell how bad their breath stinks.

Your assumption is incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis

From that page:

One's own breath odor is often undetectable due to habituation, although many people will have an accompanying bad taste (metallic, sour, fecal, etc) depending on oral dryness and the degree of breath odor.

WTH? How exactly do you get fecal breath? If you happen to have fecal breath, your bad breath may be low on your list of problems.

Go eat dinner, don't brush your teeth, sleep for 10 hours, then check how your mouth tastes in the morning.

 

[squiggledot]

people just get used to their own odor. Most people with BO don't notice either...

 

[mugs]

I can't smell myself