16-year-old lifeguard gets fired for having bad breath, despite brushing and flossing twice a day

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Apr 1, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

Is it unlawful for a job to fire you for having bad breath without giving you a chance to correct it? 

Do you remember the stinky kid in your class growing up? I'm almost certain you do. A video recently went viral of an older man looking through pictures of his fellow boot campers from way back when. His memory isn't the best, but he pointed to one kid and vividly recalled that he was the stinkiest kid in the barracks and refused to take a bath. He might not always remember his family members' names, but he will never forget the stinky kid. 

It's easy to turn up your nose at people with hygiene problems, but it is very distressing to be the one with a hygiene problem, especially when you don't know how to solve it. For some people, it doesn't matter how much aluminum powered-deoderant they apply to their pits. If they have hyperhidrosis, no amount of Axe body spray will eliminate the smell.

If you've been a manager or a superior to someone with a hygiene problem, you might've had to stumble your way through the awkward conversation of asking them to improve their cleanliness. Most managers and higher-ups would not be so brash as to fire an employee for the crime of having bad hygiene, but the teenage lifeguard in this story might be getting the chop sooner rather than later for having bad breath. Either that, or he's a paranoid teenager. You be the judge!

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  • People swimming during the daytime
    via Megan Bucknall

    A teenage lifeguard sits in a lifeguard chair, watching over the swimmers for any signs of misfortune.

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I’m about to get fired because of my breath.

    I have been a lifeguard for barely 2 weeks and I'm going to get fired because of my breath.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • I dont get to plead my case and I know it's coming I just dont know when.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • It is not a neglect issue as I have tried to fix it for the a while.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • I brush my teeth 2x a day and floss every night. I use mouthwash and scrape my tongue as well.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • Young beautiful dark-haired woman standing near sink while brushing her teeth
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A teenage girl brushes her teeth, trying her best to do away with any foul odors that have built up over the day.

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I found out the real problem was GERD, I bought omeprazole after I got paid for my orientation but I guess it was too late.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • This is my first job and I think quitting after my 2nd week is bad for my record.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • Noone has told me but I have heard rumors and can feel it coming. Any advice on how to cope, I am at work now and am feeling. awkward as all h | because all my co- workers know it too.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • Two men in red lifeguard suits standing in front of a swimming pool
    via Ahab Sun

    Lifeguards watch the pool together and gossip about their stinky coworker.

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • oclaura Dental hygienist here. Swish and gargle with 1 tsp baking soda and small glass of warm water morning and evening. It makes the mouth alkaline and diffuses the acidic nature of gerd. You may even swallow a couple sips. This will help stomach acid as well. Sounds too easy. But it's basic science that works.
    via u/oclaura
  • Murky_Wind_228 Original Poster's Reply I already do that...
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • Icewater-907 Why would you think it's GERD ? I know lots of people with GERD, who do not have bad breath.
    via u/Icewater-907
  • Murky_Wind_228 Original Poster's Reply I have good dental hygiene and see my dentist. My doctor and dentist both say I have GERD.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • Crafty-Management-91 Can't you mitigate this in some fashion? If only there was a way... Up your brushing to 3 to 4 times a day. Chew gum in between. Use breath mints. Use breath spray. Chew sen sen. Carry and s kon small hard candy. There's lots of ways to maintain good breath with gerd.
    via u/Crafty-Management-91
  • Murky_Wind_228 Original Poster's Reply You're right, I will be doing this now. Idk why I didn't think of this, not even being sarcastic.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • Healthy-Tumbleweed42 But I don't understand. How does having bad breath limit you from saving a drowning victims and doing CPR? You don't do mouth to mouth anymore and even if they had it I don't think someone would sue the company bc you saved them but had bad breath. ?!?
    via u/Healthy-Tumbleweed42
  • Murky_Wind_228 Original Poster's Reply I have to talk to people who ask questions and my co-workers but thats about it
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • NotAlan Jackson What record do you think exists?
    via u/NotAlanJackson
  • Murky_Wind_228 Original Poster's Reply idk tbh I heard my co-workers talking about me saying my breath stinks.
    via u/Murky_Wind_228
  • OldLadyKickButt some people have stones or cell clogs in the tonsil area- when those are removed by dentist their breath is fie. It is confusing that you think you will be fired but do not know it. Go get a dentist to check
    via u/OldLadyKickButt
  • angeluscado Check your tonsils for tonsil stones. I had a rank taste in my mouth that brushing, flossing, mouthwash and gum couldn't touch. Poked around in my tonsils and got a pretty large haul that cleared up a lot of my issues. Hopefully your medication helps, and until then maybe chew lots of gum?
    via u/angeluscado

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lifeguard job teenagers coworkers teeth bad breath swimming flossing breath brushing
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