Assessing your own breath can be difficult. Smell receptors quickly become accustomed to odours that are present for a long time, so breathing into cupped hands does not always give a reliable result.
At-home ways to assess your breath
The floss test
After cleaning between the back teeth, wait a moment and smell the floss. A strong odour may indicate trapped debris or a problem around the gums.
The tongue test
Gently pass a clean spoon or tongue scraper over the back of the tongue. After a few seconds, assess the smell of the coating collected. Do not scrape aggressively.
Ask someone you trust
Although it may feel awkward, an honest opinion from someone close to you is often more useful than self-testing.
A dental assessment
A dentist can examine the teeth, gums, tongue, dental restorations and the degree of dryness in the mouth. This is the best route when the problem is persistent.
Why is the cupped-hands test unreliable?
Air exhaled while speaking and breathing can have different proportions from the air directed into your hands. The smell of skin, cosmetics and the surroundings can also distort the assessment.
What should you do if the result is worrying?
- Clean between the teeth.
- Brush your teeth and gently clean your tongue.
- Drink water.
- Check whether the problem returns during the day.
Also read our main guide to the causes of bad breath and instructions for correct flossing.
When should you not rely on at-home methods?
If the odour persists every day, or you have bleeding gums, pain, visible tartar, changes on the tongue or severe dryness, an at-home test is not a substitute for a dental examination.
FAQ
Can you be unaware of your own bad breath?
Yes. Olfactory adaptation means that a constant smell may no longer be noticeable to you.
Can a phone app assess your breath?
A standard phone does not measure odour-producing compounds in exhaled air, so this is not a reliable test.
