Bad breath in children can be a distressing experience for the affected child and their parents. Left untreated, bad breath may indicate an underlying health issue like gum disease, tooth decay, or sinus inflammation. Still, it is often caused by simple lifestyle choices that can easily change. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent your children from having bad breath and ensure they maintain healthy oral hygiene habits throughout their lives.
This blog post will discuss what causes bad breath in children, why prevention is so important, and the strategies you should use to keep your kids’ mouths fresh.
What is Bad Breath?
According to the American Dental Association, prolonged poor breath is halitosis. Halitosis can either originate in the mouth or be exhaled from the lungs. The causes of chronic bad breath (halitosis) and acute bad breath, such as morning breath, are frequently distinguishable.
A Gentle Reminder
Parents must prepare their children for a lifetime of good dental hygiene. Start by consulting with a pediatric dentist in Embrey Mills, VA, like Junior Smiles of Stafford. If your child experiences chronic bad breath, their primary health provider may need to conduct additional tests to diagnose the cause.
Taking the time now to teach your children how to care for their teeth can protect their smiles and mouths well into adulthood.
Consult with a pediatric dentist in Northern Virginia regularly to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in pediatric dentistry and find out about new treatments available. Remember that prevention is key to oral health and that instilling habits at an early age can make all the difference down the road! Whether you bring your child in or need additional testing done, don’t hesitate to consult an expert – contact them now and let them help you give your child a healthier smile!
Causes of Bad breath in Children
Depending on whether the child’s halitosis is acute or chronic, a variety of causes may be responsible. While many reasons are harmless and readily treatable, some are more significant and necessitate a pediatric dentist or physician visit.
Consumption of Certain Foods
Garlic and onions are among the most infamous offenders regarding foul breath-causing meals. Did you know that they can cause foul breath even if you ingest them through a feeding tube? When garlic and onions are consumed, certain sulfurous chemicals are taken into circulation and then expelled by the lungs, resulting in the characteristic garlic or onion breath.
This does not imply that you should exclude garlic, onions, and other healthful (although pungent) items from your child’s diet. In the next part, we will explain ways to reduce the negative effects of garlic and onions on your child’s breath.
You may explore on how to curate your children’s menu and try out different ways to cook pasta for them.
Dehydration
Drinking enough water is essential for the body, and the mouth is no exception! One of the primary reasons for foul breath is dehydration. When we do not consume enough water, our saliva production declines. This reduction in saliva reduces our saliva’s natural capacity to cleanse our mouth surroundings. As a result, the odor-causing bacteria in our mouths multiply. Fortunately, halitosis is generally easy to treat; if everyone drinks lots of water, the danger of the condition diminishes rapidly.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If children do not clean and floss their teeth frequently or efficiently enough, food particles and plaque will accumulate, and odorous bacteria will produce a foul odor. Brushing should also include the tongue. Back of the tongue cells are infected by odor-causing bacteria.
Sinus Infection
Have any of your children recently complained of a sore throat or runny nose? Possibly a sinus infection. Sinus problems cause fluid to build in the nasal passages and throat, giving your child’s throat an ideal breeding ground for germs. The outcome? Bad breath cannot be remedied by cleaning teeth and using mouthwash alone. If you feel you have a sinus infection (possible sore throat, burning nasal passages, and post-nasal drip), you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to see if medications will be given.
Gum Disease
Bad breath is associated with gum disease in people of all ages, including children. What is periodontitis? Inflammation or infection of the gum tissue that supports the teeth is periodontal disease. Although children are unlikely to acquire periodontitis, the advanced form of gum disease, they frequently get gingivitis, the less severe form.
Gingivitis is caused by the accumulation of soft plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) on the teeth and below the gum line. Plaque bacteria and toxins infect the gums, producing irritation and foul breath that persists even after cleaning the teeth. Gum disease is no exception to the rule that infections do not smell pleasant.
How to Prevent Bad Breath in Children
Teach kids to practice good oral hygiene.
Instruct them to clean their teeth twice a day for two minutes each and floss once daily. Ensure that your child brushes every surface of each tooth and along the gum line and tongue to remove any coating when brushing.
To eliminate foul breath in infants and younger toddlers, you must clean and floss their teeth for them. Even older toddlers and preschoolers can begin brushing independently and oversee their oral hygiene regimen until they are around 7 or 8 years of age.
Hydrate.
Tooth decay is something that thrives from dry mouth. That’s because saliva is a big defense against tooth decay. Some minerals in saliva, like calcium and phosphate, help your teeth fight against tooth decay. It also helps wash away food and other residues that might have been left behind on your teeth. You produce less saliva when your mouth is dry, which will only help tooth decay. Drinking water helps prevent dry mouth, which keeps tooth decay at bay.
Since water doesn’t have any sugars in it, it does wash away all the food and residue left over that bacteria could get ahold of. It also dilutes the acid already in your mouth that fights against enamel. Besides, fluoride in the water also helps coat your teeth to fight against acids.
