Imagine that the evidence of someone’s lunch is lodged right between her front teeth, and the struggle begins: Do you tell the person? You have to pull it off with grace so both parties can remain dignified, but that’s tricky, especially if you barely know her. And by that time, would you seem like a jerk for waiting so long to say anything?
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If it’s a friend or family member, you can say, “I always want to know when I have something stuck in my teeth. Do you agree?” As long as the answer is yes, say, “I think you have something in yours.” Notice that your saying “I always want to know when…” lets the person know it’s happened to you before.If you think the person won’t take it well, HowStuffWorks warns against using “you,” as it might come off more judgmental than intended.
Instead, try, “There’s something there” while pointing to your teeth. With family and close friends, an agreed-upon catchphrase like “tooth check” tactfully conveys the warning.In some situations, you might opt for nonverbal communication, like catching the person’s eye and pointing to your own teeth.
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