When it comes to kids' breath, there are days when it does not smell fresh. In fact, there are days when the breath is tooth decay smelling bad. And while there are some easy hygiene skills that will change the odor of the mouth, other causes of a foul mouth may take a bit more intervention to get back to the status quo. As such, it is important to get down to the reason why kids have bad breath when it presents.
Bad breath happens to all kids at some point. Parents can only hope to detect it before they go out in public and others are potentially offended by the odor being emitted from the mouth. In order to do so, they have to determine the source of the bad breath and treat it accordingly. Once that is done either via better oral hygiene or medical intervention, the bad breath will dissipate and become a thing of the past.
Here is why your child may have bad breath.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing teeth twice a day is not only important for good oral health, but for keeping bad breath at bay as well.
According to the Mayo Clinic, when teeth and gums are not cared for, plaque will build up on the teeth. In turn, the sticky substance will emit an odor that is less than appealing to be around.
Eating Strongly Flavored Food
When strongly flavored food is eaten, it can travel to the bloodstream. As such, according to Listerine, that blood will filter through the lungs. And because of this, every time a breath is exhaled, it has a foul smell to it.
Fortunately, as soon as the food has passed through the system, the bad breath will cease. Until that time, according to Desert Ridge Dental, drinking water, brushing teeth, and chewing gum may help to mask the problem.
Morning Breath
Many people will find that they do not have the minty fresh breath they went to bed with the night before. As such, they suffer from morning breath.
According to Mountain Top Periodontics & Implants, the saliva that is so plentiful during the day to break down food particles and prevent bacteria from growing slows down at night. As a result, bacteria growth occurs and causes a pungent smell in the morning.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is not generally a condition that presents on its own, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Instead, it is usually the side effect of a medication that is taken, mouth breathing, or being dehydrated.
Regardless of the reason for dry mouth, it can cause bacteria to grow which emits a foul smell. As such, to help combat it, per the publication, drinking water, using "artificial saliva products," sleeping with a humidifier, and more can be tried until the condition is remedied.
Tongue Coat
Tongue coat or white tongue is caused when the papillae swell up and bacteria get trapped between them, according to Colgate. As such, the white color that coats the tongue is loads of bacteria built up. And that build-up causes bad breath.
The best way to combat tongue coat is to brush and floss daily and drink plenty of water, per the publication. When this is done, bacteria do not have an opportunity to grow and their breath will be fresh.
Tooth Decay
When bad oral hygiene has progressed to the point where tooth decay has occurred, bad breath has likely been a daily occurrence for quite some time. This is because, according to Beachfront Dentistry, when tooth decay attacks the pulp of the tooth, it will eventually cause "pulp death." And once this happens, a strong, foul odor is emitted.
In this case, the only way to stop the bad breath is to remove the tooth decay. However, if the same bad oral hygiene is practiced, tooth decay is likely to happen again.
Sinus Infection
Sinus infections can cause congestion, which will lead kids to breathe out of their mouths. While dry mouth will cause bad breath, the main cause of bad breath with sinus infections is the mucus itself.
According to Richmond Dental, the mucus that is formed from a sinus infection has a distinct odor that is not pleasing to be around. Therefore, when the mucus drips into the mouth and breath is taken from the mouth, bad breath follows.
Unfortunately, per the publication, the bad breath will not clear until the sinus infection is cleared up. However, brushing and drinking water may help to mask the bad breath may help until that happens.
Source: Listerine, Desert Ridge Dental, Mayo Clinic, Mountain Top Periodontics & Implants, Cleveland Clinic, Colgate, Beachfront Dentistry, Richmond Dental