Hundreds of young Britons say they have friends with poor dental hygiene, poll claims

Three quarters say they would feel uncomfortable giving the bad news to a friend

A quarter of those polled said they avoid friends with dental hygiene issues by coming up with excuses to avoid social engagements with them (Getty Images)

Young Britons admitted they had got friends with bad breath but they would not tell them, in a new survey.

A poll of 1,000 16–34-year-olds found 40 per cent have secretly judged a friend’s poor dental hygiene, and nearly a quarter of respondents said they avoided friends with dental hygiene issues by coming up with excuses to avoid social engagements with them.

But while 60 per cent of respondents would expect to be told by a friend if their breath was below par, three quarters said they would feel uncomfortable giving the bad news to a friend.

“As someone who regularly travels internationally to experiment and introduce unique and new ingredients to my dishes, I have discovered some of the best flavours in the world," said chef Michael Wignall who worked with Dentyl BB Mints. “However, sometimes, the better the flavour, the worse the adverse side effect for those who consume them.

“But that should never stop anyone being able to experiment and try them.”

Garlic was discovered to be the worst food culprit for causing problem breath, followed by onions and coffee.

And despite being quick to judge others’ bad breath, one in five Britons admit they are aware their own could be fresher at least once a day.

It also emerged nearly two thirds of respondents would like to be more adventurous with food, but when it comes to experimenting with bold new flavours the risk of bad breath is likely to put them off.

“Our results found seven in 10 Britons say a date is the social situation in which they would most fear having bad breath," said a spokesman for Dentyl BB Mints said. “Other troublesome situations include at work and even in a job interview – something best avoided if possible.

South West News Service