Why Does My Child Have Bad Breath?

Staying on top of your child’s oral health needs is no easy task. But as much as you encourage them to brush and floss, there may be times when you notice your child’s breath smells bad even after a good brush.

Bad breath is commonly referred to as “halitosis” and can be caused by a lot of different things. Learning the cause of your child’s bad breath is key to getting them the help they need to solve this issue.

Here are some common reasons for halitosis in children:

1. Poor Oral Habits

The most common is simply bad oral hygiene. Without consistently brushing or flossing, plaque and food debris stays in your child’s mouth causing bad breath.

2. Tongue Coating

It’s important for your child to brush their tongue, bacteria can actually coat it and lead to a bad smell. You can see if they are brushing their tongue well enough if you inspect their mouth and notice their tongue looks white.

3. Eating Pungent Foods

Some foods can cause your breath to smell bad, such as onions, or garlic. This issue usually goes away in a few hours after the food has been digested and the child brushes their teeth.

4. Gum Disease

If plaque and food debris aren’t removed from the mouth, they can eventually lead to tartar build-up and gum disease. This condition is known to cause bad breath both in children and adults.

5. Cavities and Dental Infections

Halitosis can be caused by a cavity or even a tooth infection as the bacteria starts affecting the healthy tissue of the tooth. In most cases, the child will also likely complain of a toothache, sensitivity to heat and cold, or even swelling.

6. Dry Mouth

Saliva is essential to good oral health. Its role is to help remove food particles and bacteria from the mouth and neutralize acids known to cause cavities.

This is why most people have bad breath in the morning - as they sleep, the body produces less saliva. But sometimes, dry mouth can be persistent, causing halitosis.

7. Mouth Breathing

If your child is known to breathe through their mouth, halitosis can be a side effect. There are several reasons for mouth breathing, such as a cold or nasal congestion. But if it’s persistent, there may be an obstruction, in which case the child should be taken to a doctor right away.

How to Fix your Child’s Bad Breath

If your child is dealing with halitosis, one of the best ways to get to the bottom of it is to take them to a pediatric dentist for a consultation.

Dr. Julia and Dr. Chun will inspect your child’s oral health and provide them with dental health services that will make sure your child’s smile is happy and healthy.

To get started, book an appointment at Cavity Patrol Pediatric Dentistry today!