Halitosis, or bad breath, may be one of the most overlooked dental problems there is. It’s often dismissed as something that only older people need to worry about, but this is definitely not true. Many children suffer from it as well.
If your child has foul-smelling breath and you’re concerned about potential causes, don’t fret; your family dentist can help. Halitosis can have a variety of causes, most of which are easy to fix.
Bad breath in children can lead to embarrassing situations and future health problems, which is why it is important to keep your child’s teeth clean and healthy. Even if your child brushes and flosses often, certain situations can cause bad breath to occur. This guide will help you determine the cause of your child’s bad breath.
The first step is to monitor their brushing habits. With a proper oral hygiene routine, brushing and flossing will remove plaque and food debris that can cause foul odors. If your child practices poor oral hygiene, bacteria can accumulate, causing gum irritation, tooth decay, and bad breath. Cavities, gum disease, and oral sores can all produce a bad smell that even the finest brushing couldn’t remove. Make regular visits to the dentist for your child to ensure professional cleanings and oral health checkups.
If your child is going through orthodontic treatment, we recommend that they clean their orthodontic appliances before bed each night to prevent dental hygiene problems. If they’re unable to remove it, ensure that your child brushes their teeth properly as it is easier for food and odor-causing bacteria to get trapped on the dental appliance and their teeth.
Bad breath in children could be a symptom of an underlying problem, not just poor oral hygiene. Even if your child brushes & flosses regularly, other factors could be causing halitosis. These include:
Sinus infections. When you have sinus problems, moisture accumulates in your nasal passages and throat, creating an ideal environment for germs to flourish. As a result, The use of a toothbrush and mouthwash alone will not eliminate bad breath. A sinus infection can cause symptoms such as sore throat, burning nasal passages, and postnasal drip. Call your doctor to schedule an appointment and to develop a treatment plan.
Diseases such as diabetes, stomach infections, kidney failure, liver problems, and mouth cancer. Bad breath in children has been linked to some uncommon medical conditions. Fungal infections have been linked to poor breath in children who are undergoing chemotherapy. Chronic reflux of stomach acids, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is where stomach acids make their way to the mouth can contribute to bad breath. Consult your doctor and dentist about various options for combating bad breath in kids and toddlers if you know your child suffers from one of the health conditions listed above.
Swollen tonsils. Take a flashlight and look into your child’s mouth to see how those tonsils look: do they look healthy? Tonsils that are healthy and free of spots should be pink, whereas infected tonsils are red, inflamed, and have white marks and a foul odor. Bacteria can accumulate in the pits of swollen tonsils, resulting in bad breath when combined with the sour smell of infection. If your child’s tonsils appear large or red, they should be examined by a pediatrician, who will recommend a course of treatment.
Diseases such as diabetes, stomach infections, kidney failure, liver problems, and mouth cancer. Children’s bad breath has been linked to several uncommon medical conditions. Fungal infections have been linked to poor breath in children who are undergoing chemotherapy. Chronic reflux of stomach acids, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is where stomach acids make their way to the mouth can contribute to bad breath. Consult your doctor and dentist about various options for combating bad breath in kids and toddlers if you know your child suffers from one of the health conditions listed above.
Are you wondering, “Why does my toddler’s breath stink?” The response may surprise you. A blockage might cause bad breath in your child’s nasal passages. Because children are naturally curious, their nostrils are sized to accommodate tiny objects like beads, beans, and toys, as well as food. These substances can cause disease in a child’s nasal passages. Thus, causing bad breath in toddlers due to infection in the nasal passages. Your child’s pediatrician will be able to help you look for an object in your child’s nasal airways and remove it if that is causing bad breath.
Dry mouth in children can be brought on by sucking on their thumb, using a pacifier, taking certain medications, or just being dehydrated in general. Similarly, if they snore or breathe through their mouths, their saliva will evaporate faster. Lack of saliva production can contribute to tooth decay and cavities because it helps wash away odor-causing germs. Ask your dentist about ways to keep your child’s mouth moist to avoid dry mouth.
Your child’s bad breath may not always be the result of microbial growth. Stinky foods such as garlic, onions, and aromatic spices can emit a disagreeable odor, among other foods and vegetables. Certain foods like the ones mentioned release odorous chemicals into your child’s bloodstream, where they are slowly expelled through the lungs and breathing.
Bad breath can also be exacerbated by high-protein foods such as red meat, salmon, and cheese. Some of these stinky meals should be restricted if your child’s breath becomes intolerable.
Good oral hygiene practice is the first step to treating bad breath in kids. The American Dental Association suggests the following steps for maintaining good oral health:
It is possible that your child’s bad breath will persist even after you implement a more effective oral hygiene routine and the dentist determines that your child’s mouth is healthy; you will be referred to a primary care physician for additional testing to determine the underlying cause of the halitosis. However, teaching your children how to brush and floss their teeth correctly can help them create lifetime oral hygiene habits.
If your child’s breath smells funny or they are complaining about the ache in their mouth, schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist. This could be a sign of a cavity, which under no circumstance should go unattended. It is also of great importance to call your dentist if your child has signs of infection.
For mild cases of bad breath in kids that come and go, it’s not an emergency. If you’re concerned about getting rid of bad breath in a child, talk to the dentist. Your family dentist can evaluate your case and see if fixing any underlying problems can help eliminate bad breath in a child.
As a combined general and pediatric dentistry practice, Sloan Creek Dental makes it convenient to get consistent, high-quality pediatric dental care for kids of all ages. If you are interested in learning more about how to prevent bad breath, or would like to schedule an appointment for a teeth cleaning, contact our office online or call us at 972-468-1440, or leave us a message.
Our dental office is located in Fairview, Texas, and our patients visit us from across the surrounding areas, including Allen, Plano, McKinney, and Lucas.
