Is This Why Your Toddler Has Bad Breath?

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is a condition that even healthy children and adults can sometimes experience.

If you've noticed that your child has bad breath, you should know that there is hope. However it is important to know the root cause of bad breath.

When it comes to bad breath in children, most of the time improper oral hygiene is the culprit. Here are some of the reasons for bad breath in children:

• Poor oral hygiene. If your child doesn't brush his teeth frequently, bad breath can result.
• Dry mouth. Saliva helps to cleanse the mouth. When a child breathes through his mouth (due to a stuffy nose or as a sleep habit), it prevents saliva from washing away bacteria, which promotes bad breath.
• Sometimes a baby or toddler will place a foreign object (tiny toys, food particles, etc.) in his or her nose. A foreign object lodged in the nose can cause bad breath in children.
• If your child consumes foods that have a strong odour, like garlic, onions or suya spices, it can impact the freshness of his breath.
• Swollen tonsils, tooth decay, gum disease and sinus infection can also cause bad breath. Bad breath may be a sign of other infections so if your child complains of stuffy nose or sore throat it could be as a  result of sinus infection which can then lead to bad breath. If you notice bad breath you can check your child’s throat because it could be as a result of swollen tonsils/tonsilitis. If you notice that the tonsils are swollen and red with white spots on them then you have to visit the hospital.

If you notice your child has bad breath, once you are certain oral hygiene is not the issue, grab a torchlight inspect their teeth, gum, nose and throat to get to the bottom of it.