Bad breath, also referred to as halitosis, can be caused by a variety of things medical and hygienic. When handling your preschooler’s bad breath, Babycenter recommends that you avoid making him feel self-conscious or embarrassed about his situation. Approach the problem matter-of-factly while you discover and treat the cause.
Dental Causes
Poor dental hygiene is a common cause of bad breath. Bacteria and food particles collect in your child’s mouth, and thoroughly cleaning and flossing her teeth helps to prevent buildup. If your preschooler has started brushing her own teeth, she may not be doing a thorough job, causing bad breath. If she has any cavities, those can be causing her bad breath as well.
Other Causes
If your preschooler has bad breath but practices good dental hygiene, there may be another cause. He could have a foreign object up his nose, such as a small toy, pea or bean. This can cause bad breath accompanied by nasal discharge. If he has recently eaten a pungent-smelling food such as garlic or onion, he may have bad breath while it travels through his digestive system. A sinus infection or cold may be the cause as well. If he is congested, he could breathe through his mouth, which reduces saliva production that washes away food particles. Finally, he might have a more complicated medical problem associated with bad breath, such as gastroesophageal reflux, tonsillitis or gingivostomatitis, which Babycenter states may be accompanied by red blisters and a fever.
Treatment
To treat your preschooler’s bad breath, you must first determine the cause. If she has a foreign object up her nose, her doctor can use an instrument to remove it. She can also receive treatment or medication for other medical problems that cause bad breath, such as gastroesophageal reflux. Avoid using mouthwash or mints to treat bad breath. These products will only mask the problem, and a preschooler can accidentally swallow mouthwash or choke on a mint.
Prevention
To prevent bad breath, be sure your preschooler practices good dental hygiene. He may not be able to brush well by himself yet, so you might need to help him. Babycenter suggests that you observe or help him brush his teeth at least twice a day and once before bedtime for 2 minutes. Be sure he brushes his tongue as well, since bacteria can gather there. He should also get regular dental checkups.
Recommendations
If there is not an obvious cause for your preschooler’s bad breath, Medline Plus recommends that you take her to see the doctor. In some cases, bad breath can be the result of a medical issue that needs attention, and it can even be the result of poisoning. Taking your child to the doctor can rule out any serious issues.
