Combat Bad Breath with These Tips

Did you know that after your child brushes their teeth, they might still have bad breath? There are several reasons why there may be a lingering odour in your child’s mouth, including a dental infection or dehydration.

Here are some of the reasons that bad breath could be sticking around and how you can combat it.

1. Not Drinking Enough Water

Is your little one feeling parched without you even realizing it? Well, here’s a cool fact: dehydration can also lead to stinky breath in children. When your child doesn’t drink enough H2O, their mouth produces less saliva. Saliva plays a vital role in naturally cleansing the mouth. To maintain hydration and prevent bad breath, it’s important to encourage your child to drink plenty of water.

2. Not Flossing Often

Not flossing enough or not flossing at all is one of the main causes of bad breath among children. Bad breath can be caused by food particles being trapped between the teeth. When you floss regularly, it removes the built-up bacteria hiding between your teeth.

3. Consuming Foods with Strong Odours

Foods with strong odours like garlic and onions may be the culprit behind your child’s bad breath. If they eat a meal with these ingredients, have your child either brush their teeth or rinse their mouth with some water. Sugar-free gum is also an excellent option to freshen up your child’s breath. It also helps to remove any food particles still lingering in their mouth after a meal. Gum also stimulates the production of saliva in the mouth which will help to keep the bad breath at bay.

4. Dental Infection or Tooth Decay

If your child still has an odour shortly after brushing their teeth, they might be suffering from tooth decay or a dental infection. Harmful bacteria can linger in your child’s mouth if they have a cavity, which ultimately causes bad breath. By scheduling regular dental check-ups at Smileline, you can proactively prevent this problem.

5. Gum Disease

Gum Disease, otherwise known as gingivitis, can smell like sulphur or rotten eggs. If your child has gum disease, they may have swollen or red gums that bleed when they brush their teeth.  Engaging in your child’s dental routine, particularly for younger ones, and regularly brushing their gums can be beneficial in preventing gum disease.

6. Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing can significantly contribute to bad breath in children due to several reasons. Firstly, it can lead to a decrease in saliva production and dry out the mouth. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health as it helps wash away food particles and bacteria that can cause unpleasant odours. When the mouth becomes dry, the self-cleaning function of saliva is compromised, allowing bacteria to proliferate and multiply. The increased bacterial activity can result in a bad taste and odour in the mouth. Therefore, encouraging your child to breathe through their nose rather than their mouth can help maintain proper saliva flow, preserve the self-cleaning mechanism of the mouth, and prevent the buildup of odour-causing bacteria, ultimately promoting fresher breath and a healthier oral environment.

If you’re looking for ways to get rid of your child’s bad breath, check out our recommendations below.

1. Practice Good Dental Hygiene

The best tip to avoid bad breath for your child is to develop good dental hygiene habits at an early age. Make sure that your child brushes their teeth twice a day and flosses at least once a day.

2. Visit the Dentist Regularly

It’s important that your child visits the dentist every six months. Regular visits to the dentist are crucial for maintaining good oral health, as they can help detect and prevent potential issues before they become more serious and expensive to treat. Depending on your child’s overall oral health, some dentists may suggest a visit every three months instead.

3. Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatment for your child can help to reduce tooth decay and avoid dental infection. Fluoride varnish is applied to your child’s teeth during a fluoride treatment and can help to strengthen their tooth enamel. This type of varnish will protect your child’s teeth for a few months, and it’s recommended to reapply it every three to six months.

4. Use a Mouthwash

Don’t be afraid to add a little fun to this part of your child’s bedtime routine. Let your child pick their favourite flavour of mouthwash, but keep in mind that a minty mouthwash works the best to combat bad breath.

5. Switch their Toothbrush

Be sure to change your child’s toothbrush every three to four months. This helps their breath stay fresh and ensures that their teeth are cleaned well.

Bad breath among children can be a common problem, but is managed with some simple tips and techniques. It’s crucial that you encourage good oral hygiene habits like regularly brushing and flossing, drinking plenty of water, and visiting the dentist regularly. By taking these steps, you can help your child avoid bad breath and maintain good oral health.

6. Drink lots of Water

Ensuring that your child drinks an ample amount of water throughout the day can play a significant role in combatting bad breath. Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining saliva production, which is crucial in rinsing away bacteria and food particles that can contribute to foul odours in the mouth.

7. Encourage Nasal Breathing

By encouraging your child to breathe through their nose, you can help reduce the likelihood of dry mouth, which is often associated with bad breath, and enhance overall oral hygiene, contributing to fresher breath.

8. Chew Sugar Free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum can be a beneficial solution for combating bad breath in children by promoting saliva production. When children chew gum, it stimulates the salivary glands, causing an increased flow of saliva in their mouths. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health as it helps wash away food particles and bacteria that can lead to unpleasant odours. Additionally, saliva contains natural enzymes that aid in the breakdown of food remnants, reducing the chances of bad breath caused by leftover food. By encouraging saliva production, sugar-free gum acts as a simple yet effective remedy to freshen your child’s breath and maintain oral hygiene.

For more information on how to keep your smiles bright and bad breath at bay, contact our team at Smileline Orthodontics and Kids Dentistry. Our mission is to provide the best specialty dental care and paediatric dentistry for you and your family.