How to Deal With a Bad Kisser

Pucker up and help your partner along with this easy guide

If there's a new person in your life that's not the best kisser, you may be feeling a little unsure about how to move forward with the relationship. Don't worry. There are steps you can take to deal with a bad kissing problem and help your partner become a better kisser.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Working Through the Problem

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1
Set a relaxed atmosphere. This is especially important if you’ve only kissed once. Was there something about the situation that might have meant the two of you didn’t bring your best game? This can be the case if the two of you were drunk, short on time or in a particularly awkward situation. Next time the two of you kiss, prepare beforehand.
- Make sure the two of you are comfortable, like on a cozy couch or a bed.
- Dim the lights to set the right atmosphere.
- Light candles and play romantic music.
Next time you kiss your partner, be proactive and drop hints about how you like being kissed. This is really important early, as it can prevent bad habits from developing. Make your kissing style known, and hopefully your partner will replicate it. If your partner doesn’t have as much experience as you, this can really help them develop their kissing ability.
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3
Teach them a fun lesson. You can turn a potentially uncomfortable conversation into a playful demonstration. Focus on specific kissing styles you’d like your partner to emulate. Outline them verbally, then demonstrate.^{[1]XExpert SourceImad Jbara
Relationship CoachExpert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- Open by telling your partner: “This is the kind of kissing I like” and demonstrate.
- An example of a specific thing you can try and correct would go like this. Say: “This is how I like using my tongue.” and demonstrate.
- For example, if you prefer to be caressed a certain way while kissed, demonstrate this on your partner.
If there’s something specific your partner does that bothers you, use this method to bring it to light. The first time you tell them you don’t like something, this is the first strike. If you have to go through this process two more times, that’s two more strikes. If you get to strike three, it’s time to pull away and talk about what’s going on.^{[2]XResearch source} For example, if your partner uses too much tongue, pull away, say “This is how I prefer to be kissed” as your first strike, then resume.
The best way to make sure you both get the best out of any kissing venture is to actively practice. Set some time aside during each date specifically for making out with your partner. This will give you plenty of time to drop hints, and the practice might just help your partner shake some of the habits you’re not a fan of.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Fixing Specific Issues

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1
Figure out exactly what you don’t like. It’s important not to stop at “they’re a bad kisser” if you’re hoping to solve the problem. Think of specific things your partner is doing that might bother you, so you can fix them. There are a few things that can go wrong in a kiss.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Too much teeth. Teeth banging together can definitely be a turn-off.
- Too much saliva. The last thing you want to say about a kiss is it’s slobbery.
- Bad breath.
- Too much or too little tongue.
2
Redirect wandering hands. You might need to do this because you’re just not ready for that kind of contact, or your partner’s hands are less than gentle. Simply grab the hand(s) and redirect them towards a spot you’re comfortable with. For instance, you can take your partner’s hand to your waist, or maybe up to your face.
- After redirecting their hands you can let them know you enjoy being caressed there.
Bumping teeth usually happens because the two of you are very eager. There’s nothing wrong with that! But unless bumping teeth is a turn on for you, you might want to slow down just a tad. If your partner doesn’t take the hint, you can take your partner’s head in your hands and gently tell them to slow down.
4
Stop them from slobbering. Too much saliva can happen when there’s too much tongue action and not enough lip movement. Try focusing on kissing their lips gently, toning things down a bit.^{[4]XResearch source} If they follow your lead, you should be dealing with much less slobber.
- If they don’t follow your lead, try pulling away a bit. Usually that’s enough of a sign to slow things down.
5
Control their wild tongue. Keep in mind that the amount of tongue that is acceptable in a kiss is very subjective. If your partner’s tongue isn’t doing too much, you’ll have to take the lead. Make sure your tongue has the first move; they’ll follow along.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If the problem is their tongue going too wild, you have a couple of options. The first is to pull away noticeably.
- They’ll either understand and slow down, or follow and keep their intensity.
- If they do the latter, you can stop, and gently tell them to slow down.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Talking about It

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1
Ask your partner what they like. If you haven’t been able to change your partner’s ways by dropping hints, you may need to talk to them about what they prefer. You’re not the only one involved in this kissing thing; your partner may just like things a bit differently than what you’re used to. Here are a couple things you can ask:
- ”Do you like the way I use my tongue?” You might find out that your expectations don’t exactly match up.
- ”Is there something you wish I was doing?” While you might be doing everything right, there might be a little extra your partner would like.
- ”Is there anything I do while we kiss that you don’t like?” This question is a bit more open ended, but opens the floor for honesty.
2
Go over what you like. Your partner can’t guess what you like. Dropping hints is subtle and won’t hurt anyone’s feelings, but sometimes it’s just too subtle. If you haven’t been able to change your partner’s ways, you might need to be more overt about your wishes.
- Be very specific, for instance mention exactly how passionate you expect kissing to be; otherwise it can feel rather forceful.
- It’s important to approach this kind of sensitive topic with tact. Don’t be overly critical, and try to reinforce your partner’s positive behaviors.
3
Look at ultimatum options. In the worst-case scenario, you have two choices: lower your standards or break up with the bad kisser. If the person is wonderful in all other respects and if kissing just isn't that important to you, just live with it. If you really need a good kisser, you have to end the relationship.
- If you try to communicate your needs early and the person still doesn't adapt, they probably won't be responsive to your needs in other areas either and won't make a good long-term partner for you anyway.
- It's hard to break up with someone, but remember that you'll be better off and, hopefully, that person will also finally take the hint and become a better partner for someone in the future.

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Question
Is it okay if the first kiss is awkward?
Imad Jbara
Dating Coach
Imad Jbara is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a relationship coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Imad services 100+ clients, men and women, to improve their dating lives through authentic communication skills. He has a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Imad Jbara
Dating Coach
Expert Answer
Yes! If you've just started seeing someone and they're a bad kisser, try to be patient with them.
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Tips

A good way to open the door to communication is to ask them if there's anything YOU can do better or anything they'd like you to try. You might learn something and they may very well follow with asking you the same question. Even if they don't, people are usually a little more receptive when you're not coming across as superior. Say, "I love it when you do this... but I'm not sure how I feel about..."
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Playfully giving your partner an exaggerated version of his/her style of kiss may help him/her to realize what it is he/she is doing wrong, and provides a reason for both of you to laugh. This can work out to be an intimate moment, pleasant memory and a means of easing the tension of learning your likes/dislikes.
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The first kiss can make a big impression, and some people aren't willing to even try to develop a relationship with a bad kisser. If you're one of these people, keep in mind that bad kissing doesn't have to be a lifelong affliction if you're willing to help your partner out. If you dismiss someone because of one bad kiss, you could be missing out on a great relationship. That said, it is sometimes the case that bad kissing is just a symptom of a person who won't be a responsive, attentive partner anyway, and he or she may be just as bad at other important things as well. Try to consider how much kissing experience the person has. If you can chalk up the bad kissing to inexperience, there's probably hope, but if the person has had plenty of time and partners to figure it out, you're probably at a dead end.
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Warnings

Always be tactful and nice about telling someone what you like and don't like about their kissing. This can be a very sensitive subject, and your partner may become anxious or feel threatened or hurt--sometimes to the point that they will want to break up with you.
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