We’ve all experienced it. Our sweet little baby was born into this world, innocent and smelling like the Johnson & Johnson poster child. Then one day it hits- bad breath, coming from that cute little mouth, smelling like it should be coming from the likes of King Kong or Godzilla.

First let’s talk about what usually does not cause halitosis (bad breath) for kids. Usually bad breath in kids is not a sign of any gastrointestinal problems. Bad breath in children is directly related to what is going in their mouth.

So what causes bad breath in children? Here are the top seven reasons.

1. Certain foods and drinks can cause create temporary bad breath. Most kids don’t voluntarily eat foods with garlic or onions so the most likely culprits would be soda pop, candy, juice or cheese.
2. Most kids do not have the coordination (let alone the motivation) to brush or floss properly until they reach the age of ten. Be there while they are brushing to provide them support and instruction. A good rule of thumb, too, is that if the floss has an unpleasant odor after your child uses it, they aren’t flossing often enough.
3. Gingivitis (relates to the point above). Just because children are young, doesn’t mean they are immune to this form of gum disease. The remedy- flossing. The best way to lead is by example. If you expect your kids to floss regularly, you need to be sure to do the same (plus your general dentist will be delighted).
4. Dry mouth can cause bad breath of epic proportions. If you child has a stuffy head or allergies they will most likely wake up with breath that would wake the dead.
5. Unusual events- a young child may have bad breath due to a highly intelligent act such as stuffing objects (foam, rocks, beans, etc) up their nose.
6. Orthodontic patients. While the bands and brackets associated with braces do not directly contribute to any odors in the mouth, the bacteria that can hide out in them can. When your child is in orthodontic treatment, oral hygiene is even more important. Floss threaders come in pretty handy when trying to keep the area between the teeth and around the gums clean. Excellent oral hygiene while in orthodontic treatment is critical.
7. Rarely is bad breath related to serious illness. If your child’s breath is a concern for you, let us know at their next visit to our office. If you are worried about embarrassing your child, give one of us a note and we’ll be sure to give you recommendations.

As you can see, bad breath for children is somewhat a part of childhood. It can also be a signal of poor oral hygiene. If you have specific questions about your child’s oral health, or bad breath, email us at info1@dentistryforkids.com, call our office, or ask us at your child’s next dental visit.

See you soon!