Why does your child have bad breath?

Posted on October 28, 2021 | First Time

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by a quick whiff of your kiddo’s breath? Yeah, kids can get bad breath too. And, they can get bad breath from a variety of sources. It’s actually an incredibly common and treatable condition. Did you know fifty percent of Americans are diagnosed with bad halitosis (bad breath) each year? But, don’t worry, bad breath comes from a number of innocent sources, most of which can be easily fixed.

1. Poor oral hygiene habits

Poor oral hygiene is the number one cause of bad breath in children. Luckily, a proper oral care routine is incredibly easy to achieve. To start, make sure that your child has a fresh toothbrush, one that is under three months old and has bristles that don’t bend outward. Also, be sure that they have floss that is comfortable for them to use, and appropriate for their age.

Keep track of your child’s routine. Make sure he or she brushes twice per day for two minutes at a time, and flosses once per day. When flossing, stress the importance of hitting both sides of the tooth, and beneath the gum line so that they clean their entire tooth.

Establishing a routine for your child will help create a healthy habit. The hope is that as your child grows, you won’t have to monitor this routine as much as you do early on in childhood.

2. Leftover Food

You know how it goes, food sometimes sticks in your teeth long after mealtime, and it can cause really stinky breath – especially in children! If you notice that your child has food stuck in his or her teeth, then have them swish cool water in their mouth vigorously for 30 seconds. If that doesn’t work, then have them floss the affected teeth to help with the removal.

3. Dry Mouth

Saliva naturally cleans the mouth, but having a dry mouth can cause bad breath. If you’re noticing that your little one regularly has a dry mouthDry mouth can usually be fixed by eating foods that increase saliva production like cheese, apples, or carrots. Here’s the obvious fix: make sure your child gets enough water. That’s 8 to 10 cups per day, and if that doesn’t help, then try chewing gum sweetened with xylitol (a healthy sugar substitute) to increase their saliva flow.

4. Dietary Choices

Certain types of food can absolutely lead to bad breath. Food like garlic, onions, fish, and spicy food can turn good breath to bad in one bite. Make sure your child can drink plenty of water at mealtime to help keep their teeth free of leftover “stinky” food.

5. Medication 

If your child just recently began a new medication, then it could be causing their bad breath. Sometimes generic medications, like antihistamines, can decrease saliva leading to dry mouth, causing bad breath.

Visit Our Office

If your child’s battle against bad breath isn’t alleviated by brushing and proper oral care, then visit our office. Our team can diagnose the cause of your child’s bad breath, and provide a treatment plan that will help them have more confidence in their smile.