What About Bad Breath In Children?
There are specific reasons for the cause of bad breath in children. There are several factors that can influence the production of bad breath, and some of them are especially likely to be found in children.
Depending on their age, children have a habit of putting things up their noses, which can end up lodged and produce bad breath. It is not uncommon for children to put small objects into their mouth and nose.
If there is a suspicion of this, it's probably better to allow a doctor to probe and remove the foreign object. There may be an indicator of this activity if there is a discharge from the nose. It's also known that ingested small objects can become lodged in the passages and cause bad breath.
Oral hygiene habits should be instilled in children while they are growing. It is fairly well established that children are not necessarily keeping their teeth and mouths clean and the presence of old food may be a good breeding ground for bacteria that causes decay and foul breath.
Children should always be encouraged and taught to maintain the highest standards of oral hygiene, as this is a habit that will carry with them throughout their lives.
When considering a case of chronic bad breath in children, the usual factors that create the problem in adults should not be ignored.
These include dry mouth which creates a favorable environment for bacteria thriving. While it is expected that children would not be as prone to bad breath from chewing snuff, or drinking alcohol, they are more prone to diseases affecting the salivary glands, and to get respiratory or throat and mouth infections. These in themselves can cause direct odor, and also compounds the problem by causing mouth breathing which also drys out the mouth.
Post nasal drip is a particular problem in young children that can cause bad breath. The bacteria that cause bad breath odor tend to be at home in the back of the tongue, and this is exactly where the nasal drip concentrated.
A runny nose itself is a chemical compound which is reported to act as fuel for bacteria. It contains proteins consisting of amino acids that are broken down into hydrogen sulfide and other odors.
If you think your child has a persistent bad breath, it would be advisable to consult your physician for assistance in diagnosing and curing the issue.
