Sex File: His morning breath is a turn-off — how do I ask him to clean his teeth?
Suzi Godson: "Most difficult conversations are as much about timing as they are about content, so choose your moment." Picture: iStock.
You do need to talk to your partner about his morning breath but you definitely should not do it when you are just about to have sex. Most difficult conversations are as much about timing as they are about content, so choose your moment.
To avoid creating feelings of shame or embarrassment, sexual difficulties should never be discussed in the bedroom. Humour helps. Not humiliating each other helps more.
You are absolutely right to address this issue sooner rather than later, however, because it becomes increasingly difficult to navigate turn-offs if you don't flag them from the start.
Whether the issue is bad breath, body odour or a "wham, bam" sexual technique, people tend to be much more motivated to change behaviours or solve problems when they are in the first flush of a new romance.
How you both navigate a relatively minor "ick" like bad breath will be a good indicator of how the two of you might tackle more difficult issues that could arise later down the line.
The good news is that this issue should be easily fixed. Whatever the cause, bad breath in the morning usually means that a person needs to improve their oral hygiene at night. Two minutes with an electric toothbrush, an antimicrobial mouthwash and possibly even a tongue scraper should sort the problem out and make morning sex a pleasure again.
Diet can exacerbate bad breath so if, on occasion, he has a curry and a bucket of red wine for dinner then has dragon breath in the morning, simply opt for positions that are not face to face. Morning spooning is a particularly good way to start the day.
If your partner addresses his oral hygiene and his diet but his bad breath persists he should definitely see a dentist. Infections, cavities or periodontitis, an inflammation of the tissue around the teeth that can shrink the gum, all cause bad breath. His dentist will diagnose appropriately but taking a vitamin D supplement is not a bad idea regardless.
A study published in the found vitamin D deficiency to be a risk factor for periodontitis, and there is evidence that poor oral health is a risk factor for sexual health. A small study published in the found that men with severe gum disease are more than twice as likely to suffer from erectile difficulties.
In younger men at least, testosterone levels are at their highest in the morning and healthy men routinely wake with an erection. The two things are not necessarily related. The sacral nerves in the spine are crucial to erectile function and when a full bladder presses on them it can cause reflex arousal.
In truth, most people need a wee when they wake up, which presents another opportunity for a swig of Listerine.
If you are worried about a loss of spontaneity, keep a glass of water by the bed so he can have a drink and rinse his mouth.
Adding a few drops of peppermint oil will freshen his breath and menthol has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties too.
- Send your questions to suzigodson@mac.com
