There are a lot of things that cause people to have bad breath. Usually, brushing your teeth and tongue will get rid of annoying bad breath, but sometimes there can be something more serious causing the problem. How do you tell if there is a problem with your child’s breath? Here are a few signs that their halitosis might be chronic.
- Strange looks from others when your child is talking – If strange looks are on the faces of listeners when your child is talking, you may want to investigate. Most people will move out of range from someone who has bad breath, but in the case of a child, it may be a little different.
- The kid’s friends say something – When your child’s friends start making comments or saying things about the smell, then you will definitely need to do something. Kids can say some pretty mean things to each other, and in a situation like this your child could become the target of nasty jokes.
- Dry mouth – Our mouths produce saliva, which constantly washes away bacteria and germs that cause bad breath. When saliva is not being produced as much, dry mouth occurs and breath odor can get smelly. If your child is prone to dry mouth, bad breath is an issue you will need to address. Toothpastes and mouthwashes made for children can contribute to dry mouth, so you may want to check into products that are not as drying.
- Rotting teeth – Kids with rotting teeth will often have constant bad breath. The best thing to do is to get your child to a dentist and have dental work done. Not only do bad teeth contribute to breath odor, they also can cause severe health problems, so don’t delay in getting the problem fixed.
- Stomach problems – Quite often, if a child is experiencing tummy problems, their breath will be bad. It could be a matter of diet, where your child is eating food that just doesn’t agree with their system, or it could be something more serious. If your child has bad breath and is also experiencing tummy aches, you may want to get it checked out by a physician to make sure nothing serious is going on.
- 6. Gum disease – Gum disease is most prevalent in adults, but kids can get it too. This is another serious dental problem that can cause chronic breath odor. Gingivitis causes gums to bleed after brushing and, when left untreated, can actually cause bone and tooth loss. Bad breath is just one symptom of this oral malady.
- Smoking – Unfortunately it’s not uncommon for older kids to smoke. Though kids have to be a certain age before they can purchase cigarettes, it’s not unheard of for underage kids to find people who will supply them with cigarettes. Chronic bad breath often shows up in smokers due to the buildup of tar in their mouths and lungs. Needless to say, if your child is a smoker, it’s best to get help for quitting as soon as possible.
- Lack of oral hygiene – Certain diseases can set in if your child is not practicing good oral hygiene. Neglecting to brush teeth daily will result in bad breath and eventually will lead to other problems. Encourage your kids early on to get in the habit of brushing and flossing, not just to keep breath in check, but also to prevent other bad things from happening in the mouth.
- Consuming pungent foods – Certain foods, including garlic, cheese and onions will cause bad breath. Most kids are not going to eat enough garlic or onions to cause a problem, however, cheese is also a culprit and many kids love to snack on cheese. If your child has breath odor and eating cheese is the cause, explain to your child that they should always brush their teeth after meals and snacking.
- Tonsil stones – The little white or cream colored balls of goo that stick to the back of the throat or tonsils are called tonsil stones, and they smell bad. If your child has good oral hygiene and the breath still smells bad, you may want to check for tonsil stones.
There are many things that can cause bad breath in kids and you don’t want your child to be humiliated because of it. Finding the root cause of the problem is paramount. Once the cause is identified and corrected, along with good oral hygiene and regular checkups, your child’s breath should be no longer be an issue.