If your child’s breath is stinking up the place, the culprit is known as halitosis. Most of the time, children’s bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene, but if bad breath is chronic, then there may be something more serious causing the problem.
As a kids’ dentist, Hersch Pediatric Dentistry not only provides the best dental care for your child, but we also believe it is important to provide you with information on important dental topics, such as how to treat children’s bad breath.
What Causes Bad Breath?
There are both short-term and long-term causes of bad breath. Typically, short-term causes are likely to be related to improper cleaning, while long-term causes may be related to medical issues or even habits.
Here are some of the most common causes:
Poor Oral Hygiene
The most common causes of bad breath include eating foods with strong odors, having food particles caught between teeth, a buildup of plaque on the teeth, and bacteria on the tongue.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be more of a long-term issue because your child’s mouth is producing less saliva than normal. The purpose of saliva is to cleanse the mouth, so when there is less saliva than normal, it contributes to bad breath.
Mouth Breathing
Another long-term issue that can cause bad breath is if your child has a sleep habit or medical issue that results in mouth breathing. When your child breathes through her mouth, there is not enough saliva to wash away the bacteria.
Mouth Infections
Cavities and mouth sores can also cause bad breath. Ask your child if they have a sore tooth or a sore in their mouth.
Illness and Medication
Illnesses such as allergies, sinus infections, tonsillitis, or other conditions are known to cause bad breath. If your child is taking medication, it can cause bad breath because of the way it breaks down in the body, releasing chemicals that cause bad breath.
How to Treat Children’s Bad Breath
The most common treatment to get rid of children’s bad breath is good oral hygiene, as well as some other simple solutions:
Basic Oral Hygiene
The most common causes of bad breath include eating foods with strong odors, having food particles caught between teeth, a buildup of plaque on the teeth, and bacteria on the tongue. These are all short-term causes that can easily be fixed. Make sure your child brushes his teeth two to three times a day, including the tongue, flosses at least once per day, uses a new toothbrush every few months, and has professional cleanings on a regular basis.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Water is one of the most effective natural treatments for children’s bad breath. Make sure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day to keep the mouth hydrated and their breath fresh.
Avoid Junk Foods
Junk foods, especially chocolate and sugary drinks, are a major cause of bad breath because they stimulate bacteria in the mouth. Try to limit the amount of junk food your child consumes and replace them with healthy foods. Fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C, such as lemons, oranges, and carrots, are effective in treating children’s bad breath.
Foods that are rich in fiber are also effective, including corn, beans, whole wheat pasta and bread, brown rice, lentils, oatmeal, and almonds.
Rinse Their Mouth
After eating, have your child rinse their mouth with water. This will help remove flavors and food particles from their tongue and in-between their teeth.
A Kids’ Dentist is Part of the Answer
At Hersch Pediatric Dentistry, we take any dental issue seriously because even something as simple as bad breath could be the result of more serious issues. If we find that your child’s mouth is healthy, we may recommend that you see their doctor to diagnose and treat any medical issues that may be causing their chronic bad breath.
Contact Hersch Pediatric Dentistry Today!
If your child has halitosis, our dentists will show them how to care for their mouth, conduct an exam and professionally clean their teeth.
As a kids’ dentist, all of our services are designed just for kids because we want them to have a positive dental experience. Contact us or use our simple online appointment scheduler to make an appointment.
We look forward to helping your child achieve a beautiful, healthy smile, and fresh breath!
