Why Does My Kid Have Bad Breath?

Why Does My Kid Have Bad Breath?

Does your child seem to have a case of morning breath - all day?  While not pleasant, most cases of bad breath in children can be easily resolved.

 

Halitosis is the medical term for chronic bad breath. In adults, Halitosis, or chronic bad breath that never goes away, despite brushing and rinsing, can be an indicator of an underlying medical problem. In children, more often than not, bad breath is usually just an indicator of poor oral hygiene, which can be remedied at home and almost immediately.

 

As a pediatric dentist, the most important advice I can give is also the easiest thing to do: work to improve oral hygiene and be consistent. You have to brush, absolutely must floss, and brush your tongue. You have to do these things every day.

 

Below are some surefire ways to help eliminate your kid’s bad breath:

 

Floss - If you ever doubt the need for flossing, try smelling the used floss after flossing your teeth. It sounds gross, right? Well, if your floss stinks, so does your mouth.

 

Don’t’ Forget the Tongue - Brushing your child’s tongue will also help prevent bad breath. The tongue harbors lots of bacteria, but many people neglect to brush it when they are brushing their teeth. With so much surface area, it can definitely cause a foul smell in your kid’s mouth.

 

Stay Hydrated- Saliva is a key component to fighting tooth decay in the mouth. When a kid’s mouth is constantly dry, their mouths have less saliva to wash away odor-causing bacteria. A lack of saliva can also lead to tooth decay and cavities. Encourage your child to drink water all the time, and especially when playing sports or outside.

 

Diet – A diet high in sugar will contribute to bad breath in your kid’s mouth. Sugar left on the teeth is a breeding ground for bacteria, which will produce a foul smell in the mouth.

 

When it’s more than bad breath:

 

If brushing, flossing and good diet aren’t helping your kid’s bad breath go away, or if you suspect that your kid’s bad breath is something more, do not hesitate to see your Anderson pediatric dentist and rule out other issues. Remember, these preventative measures can help prevent dental problems and bad breath, but that can’t solve existing decay or gum disease.

 

If your child has existing cavities or gum disease, treatment is the first step. Once existing problems are treated, these preventative measures can then help to prevent future dental problems. Creating healthy oral habits at an early age is important for maintaining healthy teeth for life. Anderson Pediatric Dentistry recommends all children have a dental home and we welcome you to check us out. As your neighborhood kids dentist, we strive to be the best pediatric dentist and a go-to resource for our community. GIve us a call today at 864-760-1440 and let us giv eyou and your child Something to Smile About!

If you would like to learn more about us, visit our website at www.andersonpediatricdentistry.com or call us at 864-760-1440 to discuss how we can serve you.