Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, in children is a common oral disease that is often the result of poor dental hygiene but can also occur due to other medical conditions, and therefore, should be professionally evaluated to determine its cause. It is not surprising that consuming particularly strong flavored foods produces bad breath, however, when your child’s breath smells bad for no such obvious reason, parents have a genuine cause for concern.

Causes of Bad Breath in Children

One of the main reasons that young children or toddlers have bad breath stems from inadequate oral hygiene. Many children, when learning how to take care of
their teeth, fail to brush them properly or thoroughly.
Poorly brushed teeth can lead to:
Food debris left in mouth
Thriving environment for bacteria
Tartar and plaque build-up
Cavity formation
Dental abscess
Gingivitis (gum disease)
These repercussions of poorly maintained teeth involve the presence of bacteria, which can produce foul smelling breath, as well as painful dental problems when
allowed to remain in the mouth.
Another primary cause of bad breath in kids is mouth breathing

Treating and Preventing Bad Breath in Children

Because a majority of halitosis cases in children are a result of improper dental hygiene, helping your child with his or her oral care routine will often reverse the bad breath problem.
Tips for preventing bad breath in kids:

Tips for preventing bad breath in kids:

  • Supervise and/or help your child brush teeth thoroughly at least twice per day (three times if possible). Floss once a day to remove food particles that can cause odor.
  • Be sure your child uses a soft-bristled toothbrush and brushes the back portion of the tongue (dorsum) to remove bacteria.
  • Feed your child a fibrous breakfast to stimulate saliva flow and reduce microbial levels in the mouth.
  • Drink water frequently to avoid dry mouth. Rinsing with water can remove bacteria when brushing is not possible.
  • Give your child sugarless gum containing xylitol. Xylitol dental benefits include stimulating saliva flow which helps keep teeth clean.
  • Replace your child’s toothbrush every 3 months to keep brushing effective.
  • Visit your pediatric dentist regularly. Dental cavities and other dental problems such as gum disease cause much less discomfort when detected early.
  • Keep hands clean, especially if your child has a thumb sucking habit. Sterilize pacifiers and any other items your child may put in his/her mouth.