Bad breath in children – reasons and remedies!

Whether in children or in adults, foul breath is generally produced by the decay of food particles in teeth and gums by sulphur-producing bacteria. However, there are several additional reasons that may exacerbate halitosis particularly in children –

Reasons

• Poor dental hygiene: An inappropriate brushing and flossing routine allows remnants of food to linger in the mouth and form plaque, which encourage odorous bacteria to thrive.
• Infections: Seasonal allergies, sinusitis and inflamed tonsils perpetuate collection of fluid in the nasal passages, rendering your child’s throat a perfect substrate for malodorous microbes.
• Dry Mouth: Dehydration reduces saliva production that might result in xerostomia or dry mouth syndrome, thus allowing anaerobic bacteria to proliferate.
• Oral Issues: Caries, abscesses, and tartar build-up are sites of infection and inflammation that can harbor microbes, which cause halitosis.

Remedy

• Advocate good dental practices by teaching your child to brush teeth and tongue twice a day, and floss once a day.
• Encourage your child to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
• Have any prolonged symptoms of infections examined and treated by a doctor.
• Schedule regular visits to your family dentist, who can detect potential issues in time and offer a professional clean.