We know bad breath isn’t something you can ignore. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by poor oral hygiene, infection or disease, dry mouth from mouth breathing, or diet. When your child has bad breath, the pediatric dentists at Children’s Dental Center of Central Iowa are here to help.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
The first line of defense against bad breath is a good oral health routine. Maintaining optimal dental health will help keep your child’s breath fresh and their smile clean. Make sure they brush their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to fight tooth decay and bacteria that can cause bad breath.
In addition to brushing and flossing, be sure to rule out any infections or diseases, such as sinus infections or gum disease. Also, adjust your child’s diet and steer away from certain vegetables like onions or garlic, or meats, such as fish and red meat, that may increase bad breath when absorbed in the body.
Bad breath may also be due to dehydration. Help your child increase their water intake to stay hydrated and further clean their teeth and tongue. Water can stimulate saliva to help wash out bad bacteria that can make breath smell.
Potential Health Issues
Did you know a child’s breath can be an indicator of their overall health? If your child’s breath smells, it may be a sign of a potential health issue or medical condition, such as acid reflux or enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
Acid reflux can cause bad breath due to the stomach acid being regurgitated. When acid reflux occurs, the partially digested food found in stomach acid can cause your child’s breath to smell. Your child’s pediatrician can address acid reflux and help you adjust their diet accordingly.
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can harbor bacteria in the back of the throat and cause your child to have bad breath. If your child has bad breath coupled with snoring and a sore throat, talk to your child’s pediatrician about meeting with an ear, nose, and throat specialist to help your child get back to optimal oral health!
Way to Improve Your Child’s Oral Hygiene
When it comes to your kid’s dental health, we can help you fight bad breath while building an oral hygiene routine that will last a lifetime. Creating a habit of brushing twice a day and flossing daily will help fight bacteria that cause bad breath. Also, remembering to brush the tongue eliminates even more bacteria during your child’s daily oral health routine.
Helping your child stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet, combined with their dental health regimen, will support the healthy growth of both baby teeth and permanent teeth. Remember to schedule regular appointments with your pediatric dentist to stay on top of potential issues that may cause bad breath so your child can pursue healthy smiles for life!
Contact Us if You Have Additional Questions!
Children’s Dental Center of Central Iowa is here for your child’s smile! Contact our conveniently located Urbandale office to schedule an appointment and we’ll help you improve your child’s bad breath.