Why Does My Child Have Bad Breath?

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Halitosis, also known as bad breath, is surprisingly common in children. For parents, bad breath in children can cause anxiety, but once you determine the cause, treatment is available from your Texas dentist.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes of bad breath in children. Children are notorious for saying they brushed their teeth when they didn’t or just giving a quick brush to one or two teeth and calling it a day. To eliminate this possible cause, supervise your child while they brush for a week and see if the bad breath goes away.

Old Toothbrush

if your child is using an old toothbrush, he or she may be reintroducing bacteria into the mouth every time they brush. Be sure to replace toothbrushes at least once a month.

Dehydration

Drinking plenty of water is very important for the body, but it is also important to keep the mouth moist. A dry mouth can cause bad breath in children. Although you might not think it’s possible for your child to become dehydrated, it’s actually very common. Kids are very active, and they lose bodily fluids at a fast rate due to their fast metabolism. See to it that your child drinks plenty of water—not juice—to ensure they are not dehydrated. If their bad breath goes away, then you’ve found the cause.

Acid Reflux

Children sometimes suffer from acid reflux, a condition in which partially digested food can cause acidification of the digestive tract. Children who get acid reflux may also have difficulty breathing due to a lack of absorption of partially digestible food. If this is a problem for your child, ask your pediatrician if you need to change his diet or receive other treatment for acid reflux.

Enlarged Tonsils

An enlarged adenoid layer in the posterior pharynx can harbor many bacteria that can lead to bad breath. Large tonsils can also be a cause of snoring and sleep apnea, and in severe cases, your child may need to be examined. Your dentist in Texas can easily have a look to see if a visit to a pediatrician is warranted.

If your child suffers from chronic bad breath, the first thing you should do is schedule a visit to your Texas dentist’s office. To book your appointment now, please contact us.

5 Tips to Protect Your Child’s Teeth

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As a parent, you may not automatically know what you need to do to protect your child’s teeth. For instance, it’s very common for parents to ignore the health of children’s teeth until the first permanent teeth come in. This is just one mistake first-time parents make. Here are X tips to protect your child’s teeth.

1. Get an Early Checkup

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child has their first dentist visit by their first birthday, or within a few months after the appearance of the first “baby” tooth. It’s important to understand that tooth and gum problems can occur this early in life, even before the first baby tooth erupts. To ensure a good start with dental health, get an early checkup.

2. Avoid Sugary Drinks

Try to avoid letting your youngster sip on a baby bottle of juice too frequently. Remember that even purely natural, no sugar added fruit juices contain natural sugars. This bad habit could lead to tooth decay in your child.

3. Teach Good Habits

Children can learn a lot about good dental care by watching their parents. Be a role model for dental health. Let your child watch you brush and floss after each meal. Instruct your child in how to clean their teeth with child-appropriate toothbrushes and toothpaste.

4. Ensure They Wear Protective Mouth Guards

Once your child is old enough to participate in organized sports, make sure your child wears a protective mouthguard. The unexpected physical impact can chip or otherwise damage teeth, but a mouth guard may keep an injury from occurring.

5. Have Issues Treated

If your child has crooked teeth, an overbite or underbite or some other dental issue, have the issue treated as soon as you can. Left untreated, dental issues tend to get worse, not better. Consult with your child’s dentist to learn about available treatment options so you can plan accordingly.

When your child grows to adulthood, their teeth will be their responsibility. In the meantime, you can do a lot to protect your child’s dental health. Use these five tips to help ensure your child enjoys a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.