While about 25% of people do struggle with bad breath on a regular basis, a large percentage of them never recognize that it is a problem for them, primarily because it would be considered impolite for those around them to just bring up their breath. However, this knowledge often makes others live in fear of bad breath, obsessively practicing oral hygiene and often wondering if they have a problem.
If you think that you may have a problem with bad breath or you find that you are constantly popping tic-tacs just in case, your best move is to simply find out for sure if you do suffer from halitosis. Although it may seem uncomfortable, the best way to do this is to ask those around you. Find someone that you trust, a close friend or a relative, and ask them if they have ever noticed (or notice on a regular basis) an unpleasant odor on your breath. Explain to them your concern, and give them permission to be totally honest. If they say yes, ask them if they can narrow down the timeframes or situations in which they most notice it.
Another possible way to find out the cause is to set up an appointment with your dentist particularly relating to bad breath. Do not eat or drink anything several hours before going, and don’t wear any products with a scent around your face (like lip-gloss). Your dentist will be able to smell your breath (Yes, it sounds very awkward, but they are trained to do this.) and let you know if you do suffer from halitosis and the possible causes of your problem.