Infant Bad Breath
Usually, when we think about bad breath, we are not thinking of infant bad breath. The breath of infants and small children is generally quite pleasant: halitosis in this age group is relatively rare. It does occur from time to time, however, and dealing with it requires some special considerations.
In a young child bad breath can be a sign of some other illness, so before taking any specific measures to treat the breath odor, ask yourself if your child appears healthy. Is he or she eating a healthy balanced diet? Are there any signs of illness such as digestive upsets, respiratory problems, allergies? Has your child had a checkup with the doctor and dentist recently? Particularly in the case of infant bad breath, some signs of underlying illness can be very subtle, so if you have any doubts, make the appropriate appointments.
Identifying the source of uncomplicated child bad breath can be a process of elimination. If the problem is chronic, it is probably not being caused by occasional ingestion of problem foods like garlic, spices, or strong cheese. In many cases, increased attention to oral hygiene will solve the problem. Because most breath odors originate in the mouth, it’s important for children to brush well and often. Avoiding sweet foods can also help as sugar promotes both bacterial growth and tooth decay. These possibilities, however, are seldom applicable to infants and infant bad breath.
In an infant bad breath is not usually due to poor oral hygiene, but may occur if there are sores in the mouth. Many infants suck pacifiers or other objects which become coated with saliva and oral bacteria and may be the source of an unpleasant odor. Wash pacifiers often and replace them as soon as they begin to look worn. If your baby sucks on a blanket or stuffed toy, wash it frequently. Also, check for nasal blockage: foreign objects obstructing the nostrils will soon cause problems of various types. Even sinus congestion due to a cold or allergy will cause a child to breathe through the mouth, which dries out the oral tissues and results in child bad breath.
When attempting to treat infant bad breath, remember that children should not be given antiseptic mouthwash or many of the other things that adults commonly use. Babies can’t be trusted not to swallow mouthwash or choke on breath mints. Before using any product to treat child bad breath, read the label carefully and/or consult your doctor.
Incoming search terms for the article:
Similar articles
- Bad Breath in Babies and Young Children
Bad breath can happen at any age, including during infancy. The biggest trigger of breath odor problems is insufficiently good oral hygiene, but this is unlikely to be the cause in a child. If your baby is suffering from halitosis, there are several possible causes you should consider, which will help you determine how to
... - Pediatric Advisor for Bad Breath in Infants
Is your child affected by bad breath? Distressed to find out that the breath of your child smells like hell? Want to ask for help? If your answer to these questions is affirmative, I bet you would be happy to know that you’ve got the right page. Yes, if your child is currently suffering from
... - Bad breath
Bad breath Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board Last updated: May 2006 What could be causing my toddler’s bad breath? Healthy children (and adults, too!) sometimes have bad breath, or halitosis. The most likely culprits: • Poor dental hygiene. Normal bacteria live in the mouth and interact with leftover food
... - Bad breath
Bad breath Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board Last updated: May 2006 What could be causing my preschooler’s bad breath? Healthy children (and adults, too!) sometimes have bad breath, or halitosis. The most likely culprits: • Poor dental hygiene. Normal bacteria live in the mouth and interact with leftover food
... - Bad breath
Bad breath Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board Last updated: May 2006 What could be causing my child’s bad breath? Healthy children (and adults, too!) sometimes have bad breath, or halitosis. The most likely culprits: • Poor dental hygiene. Normal bacteria live in the mouth and interact with leftover food
...