Does My Child’s Breath Smell Bad? Should I Be Worried?

Everyone has nasty breath from time to time, kids included. But if you notice that your child’s breath is consistently smelly, you may be wondering why, and if you should worry about it. In this blog from Vivid Smiles, we’ll discuss a few common causes of bad breath (halitosis), and whether or not you should see Dr. Paruchuri or Dr. Sahai for further diagnosis and treatment. 

1. You’re Putting Them To Bed With A Bottle 

If your child goes to sleep with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, or anything else besides tap water, this can cause their breath to stink. The bacteria in their mouth will feed on sugar and reproduce, leading to particularly foul breath in the mornings.

This can also cause what’s known as “baby bottle decay.” This is severe tooth decay, usually affecting the upper front teeth. Never put your child to bed with a bottle unless it contains tap water. 

2. They’re Not Caring For Their Teeth Properly

If your child has recently started brushing their own teeth, great! Most kids can brush on their own between the ages of 5-6. But they may not be doing a good job, particularly if you notice smelly breath. 

Smelly breath could indicate bacterial buildup. So we recommend supervising your child, and seeing if they’re brushing for a long enough period of time. They should brush for two minutes, and clean each tooth thoroughly. This will help eliminate smelly breath.

3. They’ve Been Eating Smelly Foods

Some foods just make your breath smell bad. Garlic, onions, and other alliums are common culprits. Dairy, tuna, and some spices and flavorings can cause bad breath. If your child has been eating a lot of these kinds of foods, this may be the cause of the issue, especially if you only notice their bad breath occasionally.

4. They’re Dehydrated, Leading To Poor Saliva Flow

Proper hydration leads to better saliva flow. Saliva helps balance the pH in the mouth and rinses away food particles. But if your child doesn’t get enough water, saliva flow may slow, leading to the buildup of more bacteria and a higher risk of cavities. This also can result in bad breath.

5. They Breathe Through Their Mouth

For the most part, your child should breathe through their nose. Consistent mouth breathing dries out the mouth, reducing saliva flow. Again, this leads to the buildup of bacteria, and smelly, nasty breath.

Mouth breathing is also thought to negatively affect oral development, too, by restricting the proper growth of the upper jaw. If you notice that your child is breathing through their mouth all the time, discuss this with their pediatrician to determine the right next steps to address this issue.

6. They Have A Respiratory Infection Or Another Such Condition 

Bad breath isn’t always caused by oral health issues. It can also be caused by an upper respiratory infection like a cold. Or, your child could be suffering from tonsil stones or tonsillitis (infected tonsils). 

Worried About Bad Breath In Terre Haute? Come To Our Office Today!

Most of the time, bad breath is nothing to worry about. But if your child’s breath smells really bad for days at a time, this could indicate an oral health issue, and we recommend getting the appropriate care. 

So don’t wait. Contact Vivid Smiles online or call us at (812) 803-2340 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sahai or Dr. Paruchuri today. Our children’s dentists can diagnose the cause of your child’s halitosis, and ensure they get the necessary treatment to protect their oral health.