Bad breath is an unpleasant, often embarrassing problem that affects most people at some point in their lives. Children might not recognize that they have bad breath or aren't taking steps to prevent it. In most cases, causes for it are harmless, and easy to fix.
Causes
Bad breath can occasionally be from health problems, but for 85 percent of children affected, the source is the mouth, according to DentalResource.org. Some of the most common causes are bacteria buildup on the tongue, dry mouth, food particles trapped between the teeth, fungal infections, and food trapped in the tonsils. Bad breath-causing bacteria, called anaerobes, react when they gather on the back of the tongue and on the decomposing food between teeth and release hydrogen sulfide, which causes a rotten egg smell, according to Dentalresource.org. Children who have dry mouth don't produce enough saliva to clean their teeth and destroy smelly microorganisms, and antibiotics often cause children to develop an odorous oral fungal infection called candida, according to HomeRemediesForYou.com. Children with deep folds and crevices in their tonsils can develop "food stones," which are food particles that get caught in those crevices and grow a hard layer of bacteria around them that gives off a bad smell, according to KidsGrowth.com.
Treatments
For effective treatment, determine where the bad breath is coming from. If the smell is due to the build-up of bacteria on the back of tongue, clean it with a tongue scrubber and follow with mouthwash, according to HomeRemediesForYou.com. Flossing is the most effective way to remove food trapped between teeth, and children who have dry mouth should avoid sugary snacks and stick to sugar-free drinks and gum, according to HomeRemediesForYou.com. If your child's tonsils regularly produce food stones, you can consult a doctor to learn how to easily remove the stones, or see whether the tonsils should be removed, according to KidsGrowth.com.
Natural Remedies
Some common kitchen herbs and foods can also help excessive bad breath. Drinking fenugreek tea daily can help ward off bad odors, as well as eating avocados, according to HomeRemediesForYou.com. Chewing guava helps clean off the teeth, while gargling with hot water and parsley can freshen the entire mouth.
Prevention
To prevent bad breath in children, have them brush at least three times per day and floss once per day, according to DentalResource.org. Children should be instructed on proper brushing and flossing techniques. Children should also softly brush the back of their tongue, and drink plenty of water to avoid dry mouth, according to DentalResource.org.
Concerns
If your child's bad breath isn't disappearing even with good oral hygiene habits, consult a doctor. Persistent bad breath can be a sign of serious health issues, as can the type of bad breath. If your child's breath has a fruity odor, it could be a sign of diabetes, a feces smell could mean a bowel obstruction and a fishy or ammonia-scented smell could mean kidney failure, according to the National Institutes of Health.
