Not sure how to tell if you have bad breath? You could ask a trusted friend or loved one. But you may not want to if you’re sensitive about the issue.
If you’d rather find out if you have bad breath on your own, test yourself in one of these three ways.
1. Do the lick test
Lick the back of your clean hand. Let it dry for about 10 seconds, then smell the spot you licked. If you detect an odor, you may have bad breath.
2. Use cotton gauze
Wipe the inside of your mouth with a piece of cotton gauze. If you see a yellowish stain on the cotton or smell a foul scent, you may have an elevated sulfide production level, which could be a sign of halitosis.
3. Sniff your dental floss
Floss between all your teeth, and then take a whiff of the floss. If it smells bad, your breath probably does too.
Of course, your dental professional remains an excellent resource for all of your oral health concerns. If you have questions about your breath, ask at your next dental cleaning.
