What Causes Bad Breath in Children and How to treat it

Bad breath is a medical condition, and it is referred to as halitosis. The main symptom is unpleasant smelling breath. Common causes of bad breaths include poor oral hygiene, dental cavities, respiratory conditions, and mouth breathing. Fortunately, a pediatric dentist can help identify the cause of a 4 year old bad breath, and they will offer advice on the next steps. In most cases, the dentist will recommend further investigation to determine the root cause of bad breath in children. Maintaining good oral hygiene by cleaning your mouth regularly is one of the ways of preventing 5 year old bad breath.  Below, we’ll discuss the main causes of bad breath in children. We’ll also look into how parents can treat the condition using home remedies, prevent bad breaths in children, and also when to consult a pediatric dentist in Richmond.

The Causes of Bad Breath in Children

The following are causes of bad breaths in children:

Diet

Bad breath in children may occur because of the food they consume. For instance, vegetables such as onions and garlic can cause bad breath. After digestion, the odorous molecules usually enter the bloodstream and exit through your lungs as you breathe. Foods that can cause bad breath in children include cheese, meat, fish, and other foods with high protein levels. Dry and hard foods such as toffee, chocolate, and potato chips normally get trapped between the teeth, leading to the growth of bacteria, thus resulting in 4 year old bad breath.

Dry Mouth

Research has been conducted over the years, and researchers have found that saliva helps to ensure the mouth is clean. Saliva normally washes away food debris while neutralizing cavity-causing acids and oral bacteria in the mouth. If your kids breath smells, you should check whether they have a dry mouth. Mouth breathing, dehydration, certain medical conditions, and hot weather can also cause dry mouth in children, which is why your child has bad breath even after brushing teeth.

Foreign Object in the House

If you notice that your child has a runny nose accompanied by bad breath, it may be because of foreign objects in the nose. Research has been conducted, and foreign items in the nose can cause bad breath in children. Children are curious individuals and may insert foreign objects such as tiny batteries or beads into their noses. The foreign objects will be responsible for infections resulting in 5 year old bad breath. If your child has inserted foreign objects in their nose, visit a pediatric dentist in Richmond, and they will remove them.

GER (Gastroesophageal Reflux)

When infants experience gastroesophageal reflux, the condition leads to regurgitation leading to toddler bad breath. The condition is common among children below 1 year. Experts’ theories indicate that different factors lead to gastroesophageal reflux in infants. During the first six months of a child’s life, they will spend most of their time lying down while consuming liquid foods. Gastroesophageal reflux usually occurs as infants stand up and start consuming solid foods. Their condition will improve as the digestive system develops. If you notice toddler bad breath and your child is under 1 year old, there is no need to worry. The condition will fade away eventually.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Some research has been carried out, and it is evident that the lack of oral hygiene is among the leading causes of children’s bad breath. When you brush your teeth incorrectly, leftover food particles will be left in the mouth, leading to the development of bacteria, thereby causing toddler bad breath. Poor oral hygiene will increase the risk of a child developing dental conditions such as gum disease and dental cavities.

Mouth Breathing

Research indicates that children who usually breathe with their mouths normally have bad breath. You may ask yourself how this is possible. For starters, when you breathe through your mouth, the saliva will dry up.   Earlier, we mentioned that saliva is responsible for keeping the mouth clean. If you notice your 5 year old bad breath has persisted, there is the likelihood your child is breathing through their mouth. Nonetheless, children can breathe through their mouths because of nasal congestion. For other children, it may be more of a habit. Once the nasal congestion clears up, your child can breathe normally again, and you won’t have to worry about bad breaths. If a caregiver or parent notices that a child is breathing through the mouth, they need to contact a pediatrician. A pediatrician can help diagnose the child and prescribe medication for your ailing child. They can also advise children to breathe through their nose instead of the mouth.

Infections and Diseases

Underlying conditions may cause your children’s bad breath, and they include:

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is a condition that makes the tonsils appear swollen and red. The condition occurs because of viruses such as bacteria. In most cases, the condition affects children over two years old. Enlarged tonsils usually cause toddler bad breath when they trap food particles, bacteria, and nasal secretions.

Tooth Decay

If you notice toddler bad breath, your child is likely to have a dental condition such as tooth decay. When food gets stuck in a portion of the tooth that is damaged, the cavity-causing bacteria will emit unpleasant odors resulting in children’s bad breath. If your kids breath smells yet they aren’t suffering from tooth decay; they may be affected by other dental infections such as mouth sores and dental abscesses.

Sinusitis

Some studies conducted over the years have found that sinusitis can cause bad breath in children.  Sinusitis occurs because of inflammation of the cavities present around the nasal passages. The inflammation is caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies, or fungi. Sinus infections usually collect fluids in your throat and nasal passages, and bacteria will easily thrive under such conditions.

Gingivitis

If you notice that your child’s gums are swollen, it means they have gingivitis, and this condition contributes to kids breath smells. Gingivitis results in the inflammation of the gums, and the condition occurs because of bacterial plaque buildup around your gumline. The bacteria will produce toxins, resulting in irritated and swollen gums and children’s bad breath. Lack of oral hygiene usually increases the risk of a child suffering from gingivitis.

How Do You Get Rid of Bad Breath

Home Remedies

Home remedies and lifestyle changes can help get rid of children’s bad breath, and they include:

• Floss- flossing ensures reduced buildup of plaque and food particles between the teeth. Keep in mind brushing only cleans the surface of the teeth.
• Brush tongue- food, bacteria, and dead cells usually build up on your tongue, especially among smokers with dry mouths. It is advisable to use a tongue scrapper in some instances.
• Diet- avoid garlic, spicy food, and onions. Also, avoid sugary foods since they’re linked to bad breath. When you consume rough foods, they can help clean the back of the tongue.
• Brush the teeth- brush your teeth at least twice daily. If possible, brush your teeth after every meal.
• Clean dentures- Different things can go into your mouth, including a bridge, dentures, or a mouthguard, and must be cleaned regularly. Cleaning ensures there won’t be bacteria buildup. Also, change your toothbrush every two to three months.
• Avoid a dry mouth- drink enough water and avoid tobacco and alcohol. Sucking a sugar-free sweet or chewing gum will also help stimulate saliva production. If your kid’s mouth is chronically dry, the best children dentist in Sugar Land Texas will prescribe some medication to simulate saliva flow.

If the bad breath persists even after trying out the treatment options listed above, your child should undergo some further tests.

See also: Children Yellow Teeth

Diagnosis

If you suspect your child has halitosis, the dentist will smell their breath and subsequently rate their odor using an intensity scale whose rating may vary from one medic to another. The dentist will then scrape the back of the child’s tongue. They will smell the scraping to determine whether or not your child has halitosis. Other detectors are sophisticated, and they can rate the odor in a precise manner. They include:

• Gas chromatography- the test measures volatile sulfur compounds: dimethyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, and methyl mercaptan.
• Halimeter- detects low sulfur levels.
• Beta-galactosidase test- the enzyme beta-galactosidase levels usually correlate with the odor the mouth produces.
• BANA test- this test measures a specific enzyme level that is produced by the bacteria that can cause halitosis (bad breath).

After conducting these tests, the pediatric dentist in Richmond can accurately determine the cause of halitosis in your child.

Prevention

Good oral hygiene can help prevent bad breath in children.

When Should You Seek the Services of a Pediatric Dentist?

If your child is suffering from halitosis accompanied by issues such as tooth pain, you should make an effort to contact the best children dentist in Sugar Land Texas. Tooth pain might be a sign of a cavity. If your child also has a fever, they might have an infection, so you should seek dental care fast. For mild cases that come occasionally, it isn’t an emergency. You can utilize the treatment options listed above while monitoring the progress of your child’s dental health for improvements. If a child has halitosis, the pediatric dentist will request the child’s medical records and ask about the medication they’re taking and whether they have underlying conditions. Despite checking your child’s breath, the pediatric dentist will conduct further tests to check whether there are cavities or loose fillings.

Summary

Children have bad breath because of different reasons. It may be caused their oral hygiene is poor, or there are underlying conditions. It is important to practice good oral hygiene while attending dental appointments promptly to avoid bad breath in children. If you’re looking for the best children dentist in sugar land Texas, Luna Pediatric Dentistry is at your service. To book an appointment, contact us today via (phone number), and our staff will accord you the assistance you need.