Bad Breath in Children - What is the Predominant Cause?

Bad breath is very common among children. The most predominant cause of bad breath in children is breathing through the mouth. Mouth breathing causes the mouth to dry out. This provides a perfect environment for the bacteria that causes bad breath to grow.

Dry mouth is the main cause of bad breath in both children and adults. Children tend to breath through their mouth more often than adults and appear to have more instances of colds, allergies, sinus infections and other nose and ear problems.

A child who sucks their thumb or blanket can also dry out the mouth. Older children who smoke or use alcohol also set themselves up for dry mouth.

Nasal blockage is also a frequent cause of bad breath in toddlers. Toddlers will often poke items up their noses and then forget they are there. If you observe bad breath and/or a smelly discharge from one nostril you need to contact your pediatrician for immediate treatment.

It is important to understand that for the most part we will be discussing bad breath remedies that would apply to an average bad breath problem. Serious medical conditions require intervention by your dental physician.

After visiting your dentist, if he cannot find a medical explanation for a persistent case of bad breath, consider trying some of the remedies we present.

You brush should be against the gums at a 45 degree angle. Strokes should be gentle in tooth wide increments. Brush each side and the top. Don't forget to brush your tongue.

Avoid an empty stomach. Yep, that's right! If you don't eat, your saliva production is reduced. You need that saliva to wash away the bacteria and avoid dry mouth.