MOST people believe that bad breath is an adult problem. Therefore, it is most shocking to parents when they smell foul breath coming from their little angel. If it persists, they often worry that something is seriously wrong with their child. As one mother said to me recently, “I’m afraid that my child is rotting inside.”
It is true that chronic bad breath in adults can be a warning sign, which in extreme cases can even indicate stomach cancer. But in children, though, bad breath (halitosis) is hardly ever connected with anything that serious. A study published in the April 2016 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics reveals that most bad breath in children comes either from the mouth itself or from the nasal cavity.
There are several things in the oral and nasal cavities that can cause bad breath in kids. The most common cause is simply poor oral hygiene. Bacteria feeding on stagnant saliva and food particles is the cause of the classic “morning breath.” And we all know that morning breath can turn into” afternoon and evening breath” if your child does not get a good tooth and tongue brushing in the morning and at night.
Tooth decay can also be a culprit. If the decay has not yet affected the root of the tooth your child may not experience pain but only present a smelly breath. Both acute and chronic sinusitis have been associated with bad breath. In these cases, though, halitosis is not the only symptom. Sinusitis is usually accompanied by a daytime and nighttime cough and possibly fever, swelling of the face or a thick yellow-green nasal discharge.
Bad breath can signal a throat infection. Usually, your child will also complain of a sore throat. As with sinusitis, the smell is probably coming from the bacterial infection itself and from the bacteria feeding on stagnant saliva because your child is mouth breathing. A smelly mouth may also derive from seasonal allergies. These can cause pooling of mucus in the back of the throat (postnasal drip), which go along with a consistent coughing and bad breath. A dry cough gets worse at night and there are itchy eyes and a runny nose.
If you discover that your child has bad breath, it is advisable not to tell him or her because it will make them feel self-conscious. Children will have lots of time as they grow older to obsess about bad breath, and there is no need to get them started prematurely. Instead, use this as an opportunity to teach your child good self-care habits. Explain to them that washing teeth is as necessary as washing other parts of the body.
Let your child pick out their own toothbrush. It is likely they will choose their favourite colour or one that is fancy for them (handle tip as a rabbit’s head, etc.) Just make sure that the toothbrush has soft bristles and the head is the smallest available. The toothpaste should contain fluoride. Commercial mouthwashes and breath freshener lozenges are poor substitutes for brushing teeth and are not recommended for kids.
Supervise your child’s tooth brushing twice a day, something many parents overlook in the rush to get out the door in the morning or to get kids to bed at night. Brushing your teeth with your children is a good way to teach them how to do it properly since they like to copy.
Once any two of your child’s teeth touch, you should start them on flossing. This will make the gums healthier and remove decaying food particles. If you see food caught in your child’s tonsils, have him or her try gargling with warm water to dislodge the food. Make sure that your child gets regular dental checkups at least once a year beginning at his or her first birthday.
Finally, if you suspect that your child has shoved something up his nose, then contact your health provider for further advice. Generally, it isn’t a great idea for parents to try to fish out the object because they usually succeed only in shoving it further up the nostril. If bad breath doesn’t go away with careful dental hygiene, consult your dentist. If the bad breath is accompanied by a cough that lasts more than 10 to 12 days or by a fever or thick nasal discharge, then contact your health provider.
