How Do You Breathe While Kissing? Get the Answers to Your Kissing Technique Questions

Co-authored by Eddy Baller and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: December 20, 2021 References

Have you ever kissed someone and forgotten to breathe? Although a kiss might feel breathtaking at the moment, you should still be able to easily get some air even if you’re making out or French kissing. If you’re having trouble catching your breath or need some advice on how to kiss, read on to find answers to some of your most common questions!

Question 1 of 7:

How do I breathe through my nose while kissing?

Adjust your angle so your noses aren’t touching. If you can’t breathe through your nose, you might be pressing your nose into your partner’s face. Tilt your head to the side so it’s at an opposite angle as your partner. That way, you won’t block each other’s noses and you should be able to breathe easily.^{[1]
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- The two of you should fit together like a puzzle when you're kissing—if you're uncomfortable or you can't breathe, you need to adjust your position.^{[2]
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  Eddy Baller
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  Expert Interview. 7 February 2020.}
- Don’t hold your breath! This is actually a pretty common problem. Just try to remind yourself to breathe normally, inhaling and exhaling through your nose.

Question 2 of 7:

How do I catch my breath while kissing?

Take a short break to reposition yourselves. Whenever you’re having trouble breathing, just briefly pull away from your partner and take a few breaths. If you were in an uncomfortable position, move around until you feel relaxed so you can lean in for another kiss.^{[3]
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- If you had trouble breathing, your partner probably needs to catch their breath too. Give them a moment before going in for the next kiss.
- Sitting close together and holding each other between kisses also helps you bond with the other person more.^{[4]
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Question 3 of 7:

How long should a kiss last?

Keep your kiss around 7–12 seconds. While you can kiss for a shorter or longer time, most people feel the most satisfied after a few seconds. If you feel like the kiss has been going on for longer, don’t feel bad if you want to pull away to breathe or reposition yourself.^{[5]
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Question 4 of 7:

How do I hide bad breath when I’m kissing?

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Chew on some gum or a mint for a quick fix. Gum and mint candies help you make more saliva and mask your bad breath.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
Go to source} Keep some in your pocket and pop a piece in your mouth right before you kiss someone so your breath tastes fresh.
- Mints and gum only work temporarily.
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Use mouthwash or breath spray for temporary freshness. You can usually buy a small bottle of mouthwash or spray that fits in your pocket or purse. Swish the mouthwash or spritz the spray in your mouth to immediately freshen your breath for a short time.^{[7]
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- Opt for mouthwash and spray that doesn’t contain alcohol, or else it could dry out your mouth faster and lead to bad breath.
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Brush and floss every day to prevent bad breath. Brush your teeth for 2 minutes at least twice a day, usually in the morning or night. If you want to, you can brush after every meal for even more freshness. Use dental floss to clean between your teeth once a day to get rid of stuck foods that could be causing bad breath.^{[8]
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- If you have the time, brush your teeth before you see the person you’re kissing, especially if you just ate. You can also use a tongue scraper on the top of your tongue to help eliminate and prevent bad breath.

Question 5 of 7:

How do I not make noise while kissing?

Go a little slower so you don’t make smacking sounds. You make a lip-smacking sound when you make too much suction while you’re kissing. It’s normal for there to be a little bit of sound while you’re kissing, but take it slow with each kiss so you don’t get too loud.^{[9]
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- Kissing too loudly can be a distraction and annoy other people around you, so do your best to keep it as quiet as you can.

Question 6 of 7:

How do I become a good kisser?

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Just be in the moment while you’re kissing. We know that it can be pretty nerve-wracking going in for a kiss, but you’ll feel a lot less stressed if you just go with the flow. Do your best to stay connected with the other person and avoid getting caught up in your thoughts.^{[10]
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- Getting caught up in your thoughts can affect your kissing, so your partner can usually tell when you’re in your head.
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Follow the other person’s lead so you’re on the same page. Take turns taking the lead for each kiss so you can try out different things. If you’re not sure what to do, make a note of what your partner’s doing and try to copy them. Mirroring your partner’s movements can help you bond even more.^{[11]
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Ask your partner for feedback. Make sure you communicate openly with your partner about how you felt about the kiss. See if there’s anything your partner did or didn’t like and ask them to kindly explain if there’s anything you could change for the next time. That way, you can figure out each other’s kissing styles so you can adapt to them.^{[12]
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- Make sure you talk about what sorts of things you want from a kiss too.

Question 7 of 7:

How can I practice kissing by myself?

Try a few kisses on your fingers or the back of your hand. Press your thumb tightly against the side of your index finger so it resembles a pair of lips. Press your lips against your fingers and give them a few kisses whenever you’re in private. Try out a few different kissing styles whenever so you can keep improving.^{[13]
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Warnings

Going too hard too fast could be a turn-off to someone, so always start with gentle kisses and build your way up to getting more passionate.^{[15]
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Using too much tongue while you’re kissing could make the other person uncomfortable.^{[16]
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