Halitosis or bad breath occurs when an offensive odor emanates from a person's mouth. This condition can affect children as much as adults, and more rarely newborns. Infants can develop halitosis even though they are in perfectly good health, while other times bad breath is a sign of an underlying illness.
Sucking
Sucking may be one of the major culprits of halitosis. Bad breath is mostly caused by the excess production of bacteria. Saliva and milk residues can build up on pacifiers, toys or fingers and repeated sucking may cause the bacteria to go back into the mouth triggering odor development. Less frequently, if a foreign object enters the nasal passages as an accident, the nose will get blocked ultimately causing bad breath.
Respiratory Illnesses
Infant bad breath can also develop as a consequence of a cold, throat infection, seasonal allergies or sinusitis as reported in the Archives of Otolaryngology---Head & Neck Surgery. All these conditions are associated with congestion and a stuffy nose causing a newborn to mostly breathe through the mouth. This will cause the oral mucosa to dry out, triggering growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath.
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux
Although rare, another cause of infant halitosis is gastro-esophageal reflux as reported in the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology. Bad breath may be only one of the signs of reflux, as this condition is also be characterized by fussiness, gas and discomfort after feeding. If you observe these symptoms contact your child's pediatrician for advice and appropriate treatment.
Prevention and Remedies
To prevent your newborn from developing bad breath, keep pacifiers, toys and all objects sanitized and wash your infant's hand's frequently. Watch your child carefully to prevent any objects getting into the nasal passages. In the case of an illness, keep your baby's nose clear by suction to minimize breathing through the mouth. Do not use mouthwash to freshen your newborn's breath. If bad breath persists seek medical attention.
References
- "The Journal of Dental Hygiene"; Halitosis: a Review of Current Literature; Armstrong, et al.; March 2010
- "Archives of Otolaryngology---Head & Neck Surgery"; Efficacy of SAdenoidectomy in Relieving Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis in Children; Vandenberg, et al.; July 1997
- "The Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology"; The Gastrontestinal Aspect of Halitosis"; Kinberg, et al.; September 2010
- BabyCenter: Bad Breath
