How to Sweeten Your Child’s Bad Breath

How to Sweeten Your Child’s Bad Breath

An often embarrassing problem, bad breath may be caused by unhealthy teeth. If you believe your child has persistent bad breath, you need to do more than cover it up with gum or mints. The underlying cause needs to be treated.

While bad breath is frequently caused by poor oral hygiene, it can also be caused by eating pungent foods or sucking on a thumb or other object. If your child’s bad breath is caused by thumbsucking, the bad breath should go away when he or she breaks the habit.

If your child’s bad breath is persistent, consider the following tips:

• Have your child brush after each meal and floss once a day. This not only removes stray food particles that can cause bad breath but eliminates the buildup of bacteria, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and, yes, bad breath. Help with brushing and flossing if needed, and make sure your child gently brushes the top of his or her tongue as well.
• Make sure your child eats a good breakfast to stimulate the flow of saliva. Drinking plenty of water and chewing sugar-free gum (with xylitol) can also reduce dry mouth and the buildup of bacteria.
• Don’t give your child mouthwash that contains alcohol, which dries the mouth.

There is also a chance that your child’s bad breath could be caused by a sinus or respiratory infection, or by tonsil stones. Occasionally, a child may stick an object into his or her nose that then attracts bacteria and causes an odor.

Remember, we need to treat the underlying causes of bad breath because those causes can also lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Make sure your child sees Dr. Jared regularly so that we can assess his or her overall dental health. If your child has persistent bad breath or has not been to our office in a while, make an appointment to see us. We can make sure that your child has a healthy mouth, free from embarrassing bad breath.

If you have questions about your child's bad breath, click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.