7 reasons your child has bad breath

Food is not the only reason your child has bad breath, it could be due to these reasons. Read on to know more

7 reasons your child has bad breath

Bad breath can be a real deal breaker, and one that almost every child experiences. It is essentially due to the presence of oral bacteria in mouth, which is a result of intake of food items like onion, garlic and even cheese.

However, it’s not always the food that causes bad breath. It can also be poor oral hygiene and dry mouth. All of this makes it essential for kids to maintain good oral hygiene.

"Maintaining good oral care is all about inculcating healthy habits. It is very easy to prevent dental issues by following simple practices, like brushing twice daily using trusted, scientific toothpaste and toothbrush. It is important to change your toothbrush every three months to ensure best results," says representative of Colgate Palmolive India Ltd.

We list some critical reasons that are behind your child's bad breath.

To read more about bad breath and other dental health issues that might be bothering your kids, click here.

Food

Food is the primary source of bad breath. And while you maybe aware of this fact, but often ignore it by consuming items such as garlic, onions, and spicy foods. Such items can leave a lingering smell for hours. Other times, the food may get stuck in the teeth, promoting the growth of bacteria, which causes bad breath odour.

Additionally, low carbohydrate foods produce ketones that cause a fruity acetone-like odour, and therefore, you must either eliminate them from your daily meals, or encourage your child to brush after each meal.

Poor dental hygiene

When some children fail to brush there teeth properly, the food remains in the mouth and can rot and produce the odour. It also results in the formation of plaque, which has it’s own bad odour.

This plaque can be very harmful since it leads to diseases such as gingivitis and gum disease.

Health problems

Medical problems such as sinus, throat infections, stomach problems, and some liver diseases or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath.

If you are going through such problems, it is always advisable to visit a general practitioner and start the medications before you move on to a dentist consultation.

Dry mouth

Saliva helps moisten the mouth, which refrains the mouth from getting dry and also kills infection causing bacteria. However, if your child has dry mouth, it could be the beginning of a bad breath problem.

Dry mouth may be caused by salivary gland problems, or breathing through the mouth. So ask your child to consume as much liquid as possible, preferably water and keep his mouth hydrated at all times.

Medications

Many medications, can cause dry mouth, which can cause bad breath. It is primarily because certain medications cause dry mouth and alter the taste perception.

Medications such as Prozac, Zantil and Zoloft can be extremely harmful to the mouth.

Additionally, higher doses of vitamin supplements may also cause bad breath, particularly in babies and toddlers. This can decay the tooth and release a foul odour unless removed by a dentist or doctor.

Food stuck in nasal cavity

Usually food gets stuck in children's mouth and that can also lead to bad breath. Make sure you encourage your child to brush after each meal and also visit the dentist once every three months for proper cleaning and check-up.

Dentures or braces

When braces are not properly cleaned, the food particles rot and cause bacteria and odour. Loose-fitting dentures may also cause sores or infections in the mouth, which can lead to bad breath.

Therefore, whenever you decide to get your child's teeth fitted with dentures or braces, be diligent and ask them to keep their clean and use a mouth wash after each meal.

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