Bad breath, or halitosis, may be completely harmless, even in children. If your infant sucks on his thumb or a pacifier, bacteria may spread from the mouth to the hand or pacifier. The bacteria may begin to smell, which will make your infant's breath smell. Other causes of bad breath may include dry mouth or allergies, according to BabyCenter.com in the article "Bad Breath." In rare cases, bad breath in infants and young children may be caused by trimethylamine oxidase deficiency or hypermethioninemia. Consult a doctor if your child's breath cannot be cured at home.
Step 1
Wash your infant's hands several times a day with soap and water if she puts her hands in her mouth or sucks her thumb. This way, your child will be unable to spread smelly bacteria on the hands back to the mouth.
Step 2
Look for foul-smelling discharge coming out of the nose, recommends pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene. If you notice a smell, take your child to the doctor. Your infant may have stuck a foreign object up his nose, like food, which is causing his breath to smell.
Step 3
Brush your baby's gums, tongue and any teeth with a toothbrush every time you feed your child and before she goes to bed, according to BabyCenter.com. Do not use toothpaste when brushing an infant's teeth.
Step 4
Place your baby's pacifiers in the dishwasher once a day to prevent bacteria growth that may cause bad breath. If you do not have a dishwasher, place the pacifiers in a pot of boiling water for a few seconds.
Step 5
Treat any underlying illnesses. If your infant has allergies, for example, he may start breathing through his mouth, which may cause bad breath. By treating the infant's allergies, the bad breath problem may also be eliminated.
Tips and Warnings
- Swollen tonsils may cause bad breath, says Dr. Greene.
- Do not give your infant mouthwash because swallowing it may be dangerous, says Donna Oberg, R.D., in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Children."
Things You'll Need
- Pacifiers
- Pot of boiling water
