Why Children Have Bad Breath

Bad breath is something we simply don’t expect children to have. But, because bad breath is not always a dental issue, it is good to know the other causes of bad breath than it being related to bad oral hygiene. Assuming your children are brushing twice daily and seeing their dentist regularly, here are a few other things that could cause bad breath.

• Foreign Objects – kids are curious, and sometimes they get curious to know if a marble or some other object can fit in their nose. When the nasal passage is blocked, it can create bad breath. Do not try to remove the object yourself, though. To be safe, once you know there is something lodged in the nasal passage, make an immediate appointment with your doctor or take the child to the emergency room to have it removed.
  
• Sinus Infection – if your child is constantly “stuffed” or is getting a sore throat, it could be signs of a sinus infection. That infection can cause bacteria to “puddle” in the throat. The resulting bad breath cannot be fixed with normal brushing or mouth wash. It is time to take the child to the doctor for treatment.
  
• Inflamed Tonsils – healthy tonsils are pink and spot free. When they are enflamed, they are usually red as well as having white spots. Take a flashlight and give them a look. If you see they are enflamed, chances are that is the cause of your child’s bad breath. Again, it is time to take the child to the doctor.
  
• Dehydration – just like an adult, children need to drink enough to stay hydrated all day long. Children being children, they are unlikely to remember to drink properly or even think about staying hydrated when they are outside playing. And, just as it does for adults, dry mouth causes bad breath in children. So, when the kids are headed out, make sure you give them a water bottle so they can stay hydrated all day long. This is especially true in the summer, where they will be sweating a lot more and the chances of dehydration are increased.
  
• Oral hygiene – we are making the assumption that your child has a good oral hygiene regimen in place with the four other causes, but if not, this could be the problem. Because kids are more likely to sneak some candy and drink a soda, it is imperative they follow a strict oral hygiene regimen. If not, tooth decay and gum disease will develop and in addition to needing dental care, they are going to have bad breath.
  

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