Holy, halitosis, Batman! Does your child’s breath pack an unpleasant punch?
Let’s face it, bad breath isn’t exactly abnormal. After a long day eating various snacks or — for the younger patients — sticking different items in their mouth, a child is apt to have bad breath from time to time. And we are no different now that we’re adults!
But if the odor has lingered long enough to keep you scratching your head, we’ll help you narrow down the possible causes. For instance, here are the top five triggers of bath breath:
- Poor Dental Hygiene
Our first reason is probably the most self-explanatory. If your child or teenager is not properly taking care of their teeth and gums, the build-up of plaque and bacteria is inevitably going to cause an unpreferable odor.
The remedy? Rehabilitating their hygiene habits and bringing them in for their biannual cleanings and examinations!
- Infections and Diseases
Sometimes, if your child has persistent bad breath, it pays to ask them how they’re feeling overall. Here’s why:
“Tonsillitis, respiratory infections such as sinusitis or bronchitis, and some gastrointestinal diseases may be responsible for a small number of cases of bad breath,” Harvard Health explains. “Advanced liver or kidney disease and uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to unpleasant breath.”
- Poor diet
In some cases, foods that do not break down easily in the mouth may leave lingering particles between your child’s teeth. Thus, as they deteriorate slowly, they’ll invite bacteria and worsen the overall smell of their breath.
In other cases, the food itself may also be heavy in odor. Garlic and onions are classic examples of such foods that will leave behind a sour or sickly smell.
- Dry Mouth
“Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad odors,” according to Mayo Clinic. “A condition called dry mouth or xerostomia can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased.”
Thus, it’s important to keep your child hydrated. And if their dry mouth persists despite adequate water intake and a balanced diet, it may be time to call up your family physician.
- Tobacco Products
While young children won’t be in possession of tobacco products, some teenagers do, unfortunately, obtain vapes and other e-cigarettes that contain tobacco/nicotine. If your child’s breath becomes foul and mildly smokey, tobacco may be to blame.
What’s more, medical research has shown that tobacco use may also contribute to:
- Gum irritation
- Periodontal disease
- Taste loss
- Oral cancer
If you have further questions or concerns about your child’s bad breath, remember, you’re not alone in finding a solution! Here at Setzer, Cochran, and Soares Pediatric Dentistry, our board-certified team of experts are capable of helping your loved ones’s smiles stay happy, healthy, and halitosis-free.
Ready to learn more? Reach out to us to schedule your appointment today! You can trust us to always offer a warm welcome and a beautiful smile.