Have you noticed stinky breath in your child when in close proximity? Bad breath is a dental problem that affects both adults and children alike.
If you didn’t know, halitosis is a technical term for bad breath. Your McAllen pediatric dentists are here to inform you on what causes bad breath in kids, what it means, and how to resolve the problem.
Causes of Bad Breath
A lot of the time, the foods and drinks we consume can cause us to have bad breath. Think about how your breath smells after downing a cup of coffee in the morning or after eating a meal with onion as one of the main ingredients.
The same happens with kids after they eat certain foods, like pungent chips or drinking flavored beverages. If your child’s stinky breath does not go away after brushing their teeth (and lingers for days), it can be caused by halitosis.
Halitosis is caused by bacteria in the mouth that thrives off left-over food particles in between teeth and plaque that has accumulated on teeth. The bacteria creates hydrogen sulfide, which is what causes the foul smell coming from your child’s mouth.
One of the symptoms of gum disease is having continuous bad breath, so make sure you make an appointment for your little one with your McAllen pediatric dentist if you notice this.
What Causes Children To Develop Halitosis?
Poor oral hygiene is usually the root of all dental problems, and halitosis is definitely not an exception. Kids tend to rush through their oral care routine, which can leave behind unwanted food particles.
Having bad oral habits can cause children to develop plaque and bacteria, which leads to bad breath. It is best to supervise your little ones when they are brushing and flossing, and like always, make sure they get seen by their pediatric dentist.
How To Eliminate Bad Breath in Kids?
As previously mentioned, it is best for you to supervise your kids while they complete their oral care routine. Make sure your little ones know the proper way to brush and floss. Their tongues can also house a ton of bacteria, so it is best to make sure their tongues are getting cleaned, too. Remember, it is recommended to brush twice a day for two minutes each time. You can try to keep the routine fun by singing songs or listening to music.
Another tip to limit the risk of developing halitosis is to have your child drink plenty of water. This helps with saliva production, which assists in getting rid of unwanted bacteria.
Sleeping with your mouth open dries up saliva and prevents it from flushing out the accumulated bacteria that increases while you sleep.
If you don’t smell an improvement in your child’s breath, schedule an appointment with your McAllen pediatric dentist to determine if there are any underlying issues.
McAllen Pediatric Dentists Are Here To Keep Your Child Smiling Confidently
Having bad breath can be embarrassing for anyone, especially for kids. Besides tightening up your child’s oral health care routine, make sure you get them checked out by their pediatric dentist!