Yes...absolutely I want the person to tell me; and he need not sugar-coat the matter. He could simply say, "Look, I have to tell you this because I would want to know if it was me:P Baby...your breath is scary!"

What Susan said. You need to know. And then you need to do something about it!

Oh, I'd sure want someone to tell me. Be direct -- if my breath wilts flowers and kills pets, please tell me, so I can either fix it or weaponize it.

A college friend of mine has terrible breath. Soon after he started dating his girlfriend (now wife) it went away. I don't know what she said but it worked.

"Give up eating chili dogs? Are you crazy?" :)

Bad breath that is not related to eating a meal (say, a garlicky one) can be due to serious health or dental problems.

I agree the person should be told. How depends on the people involved. I know some who would want something like:

You have chronic bad breath.

and others who would need an approach coated in concern such as:

I've noticed an odor to your breath lately and I'm concerned. Would you like me to call the dentist to make sure you aren't getting a cavity?

As Amy said, bad breath can be a red flag for health. It can range from a side effect of a medication to hormonal issues (which could be anywhere from cancer to that time of the month) to a sinus infection (which don't always have obvious symptoms). Of course, it can also be poor hygiene.

Absolutely. How she would tell me wouldn't be that important -- although if she was creative and over-the-top about it (e.g. pointing at my mouth, then clutching her throat and keeling over), it would probably make me laugh -- but when she told me would be. I'd want to know right away. If she waited a while, I'd be mortified to know she'd been subjected to that for quite some time.

I've known only two people with horrifically bad breath. One was my junior high school drafting teacher (everyone in the class cringed when he came over to review your work) and the other a woman who was in one of my college classes.

All Is Not Flossed

P.S. one of my favorite things about your website: your wordplay. Now you've got me thinking of other titles...

Flossed In Translation, The Flossed Boys, Flossed Horizon.

Yes I would want to know.

An old client of mine (comedian) used to say, "There is no such thing as 'bad' breath. Your breath may stink but...'

How about, "This may be a bit delicate, but I need to mention something... I usually like funky things, but breath isn't one of them...I'm just wondering, did you know yours is a bit ripe? How does your breath smell to you? Have you considered doing research into the cause? I'm concerned. I wouldn't mention it if I didn't care so much...I simply would take a breather."

I was in this position ... on both sides. The key is sounding concerned, rather than acting grossed out.

The first time, my (relatively new) boyfriend told me. And I think he went about it very sweetly, similar to how Shannon M suggested: "Sweetie, I've noticed your mouth smells strange. Do you think you should go to the doctor?"

I had been having some weird sore throats lately, and it turns out something was growing on a tonsil. Medicine cleared it up.

...and I recently had to tell my boyfriend the same thing. Mostly, he'd been working long hours, eating junk and collapsing into bed without brushing. So I said, "Sweetie, I figured you should know, but I've noticed your mouth is smelling weird lately ... and I figured you'd want to know because you've got some important meetings with clients coming up ..."

He got some new mouthwash and made a point to eat better -- and brush after every meal.

Yes I would want to know.

Yes, I would want to know. People confuse this with a hygiene issue and often it is not. My husband didn't realize he suffered from horrible breath even though he brushes three times a day. It turned out he developed dry mouth and that made his breath stink. I would recommend Smart Mouth. It is a solution that causes your salivary glands to produce more fluid and that keeps your mouth fresher. He has no problems since he started using it. BTW, the dry mouth was a response to increased stress at work. That is why someone who didn't have a problem, can suddenly develop one. Good luck to your letter writer!

In my case I know my breath is probably bad so I make it a point to be downwind of people if possible.

I need to get dentures to replace all my lowers, but it is a matter of finding time, money, and a convenient time and place to get two wisdom teeth surgically removed.

But if it was horrible to the point people don't want to be in a room with me, I would want to know.

I actually ran into this very recently. A woman I've been spending time with has some pretty stale breath. I simply said one day while kissing her, "You probably ought to brush your teeth." I kind of laughed when I said it to try to soften it I suppose. She took it well and thanked me for letting her know. Now, when sex seems imminent, she always excuses herself to the bathroom and brushes her teeth. I hope I didn't make her too self conscious about it. She now keeps a toothbrush at my place. (Not sure how I feel about that.)

Dick, just don't do an Elaine on the toothbrush...

I'd want to know. In the past I've had lots of trouble with sinus infections and they can cause that.