It’s not uncommon for children to have bad breath. Many parents go snuggle with their child and notice an unpleasant smell.
The problem is, sometimes that smell doesn’t really go away after your child brushes their teeth. So what’s going on? Is there something up with the child’s oral health?
Before you worry, know that bad breath could be a sign of a lot of different things! Read on to learn more.
Some foods cause bad breath, and may not go away right after the child brushes their teeth. For instance, the garlic smell can be persistent because as the stomach breaks down the food, the bad smell lingers for a few hours.
Usually, the bad breath goes away once the food is fully digested.
It can be difficult to make sure your child properly brushes and flosses their teeth every single day. Sometimes, bad breath is just a sign that the little one needs a bit more support in this department to properly remove odor-causing bacteria from the mouth.
Cavities that require dental fillings, infections, gum disease, and even defective previous dental restorations can sometimes cause bad breath. Usually, if your child is dealing with oral health problems, they’ll experience other symptoms such as:
If you suspect your child may be having a problem, a Beaumont pediatric dentist can help your child resolve their dental issues.
A dry mouth occurs when the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, which is an important part of cleaning the mouth. If the mouth doesn’t have saliva, odor-causing bacteria have the perfect stage to multiply and cause bad breath.
A dry mouth can be caused by lots of different things, such as breathing through the mouth, or even some medical conditions.
Bad breath isn’t always a sign there is something going on with the child’s mouth. Sinus infections, large tonsils, diabetes, and reflux can also cause persistent bad breath.
Kids love to shove things up their noses, like marbles or small toys. Sometimes, it can happen without you even noticing. If your child has persistent bad breath and nothing else can explain it, it can help to check the nose.
The bad smell may actually be coming from their nostril, and not the mouth. You may also notice a dark green mucus.
Persistent bad breath is common in children. Dr. Meghanne Kruizenga can help consult the child and identify the root causes of the smell, and provide the right course of action in case their dental health needs more support.
Book a consultation at Kindred Pediatric Dentistry online and bring the little one in for a visit!
Want to learn more about our services? You can always call us at (951) 572-8010. We’d be happy to answer all your questions about your child’s oral health!
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