Bad Breath Remedies

Bad breath known as halitosis also afflicts children.  It is a symptom of different conditions such as dental problems, dry mouth, postnasal drip, sinus infections, and among others. Know what causes bad breath in kids to render the most effective treatment.

What is bad breath?

Children are thought of having sweet smelling breath but toddlers can also suffer with stinky breath.  Halitosis is an unpleasant and offensive odor originating from the mouth, nose, or airway.

Causes of bad breath in kids

Dry mouth

During times when we are awake, saliva washes off most food particles and bacteria in the mouth.  During the night, however, there is less saliva production leading to mouth odor.  Another reason why your child has bad breath associated to dry mouth is when he or she breathes through the mouth.  Other reasons of having dry mouth are thumb sucking and the use of certain medications.

Poor oral hygiene

The most common cause of oral odour is the lack of regular brushing and flossing.  At a young age, children need the most reinforcement of good oral care habits.  Your child could have gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental problems when not taught how to care for his or her teeth.

Make tooth brushing as enjoyable as you can by giving your child flavored toothpaste, flavoured floss, and a rotary type of toothbrush.  Don’t let your kid use fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash since these products can be harmful when swallowed.  To avoid bacterial growth, avoid giving breath mints that contains sugar.

Nasal issues

Post nasal drip also cause oral odor due to the presence of infection.  Foul mouth odor is due to the infected nasal drip that passes in to the mouth through the nasal cavity.

Infected tonsils

As any other infections, tonsillitis can cause foul breath.  The odor worsens when food gets trapped in the crevices of the tonsils.  When the pockets in the infected throat opens to drain, the drain can give off the smell thus resulting to the breath problems.

Diabetes mellitus

Always check the kind of breath your child has.  If his or her breath is acetone-like or fruity, t could be an indicator of diabetes.  Consult your pediatrician as soon as possible to determine the right treatment of bad breath and the underlying disease.

Determine what causes bad breath in kids so you know how you can help your child avoid complicated problems at an early age.