My child has bad breath, what can I do?

We hear this question a lot.  Rest assured, this is not an unusual concern.  In fact, a study published in Pediatric Dentistry showed that 23% of young children had halitosis (bad breath).  Why?  The most common things that cause bad breath are tongue coating, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and tooth decay.    Here’s the bottom line – bad breath is simply the result of bacteria in the mouth breaking down sugars.  Cavities are caused by these same bacteria.  So, the same thing that can protect your child from cavities will alleviate their bad breath.  Good oral hygiene gets rid of the sugar, so bacteria have nothing to “eat”.

Make sure your child is brushing their teeth thoroughly.  This includes the back teeth, which have 3 surfaces in the mouth – top and 2 sides.  It’s also very important for them to brush their tongue.  You may need to supervise.  A good habit to get into is to brush for 2 minutes twice a day.

Your child should also see their dentist twice a year to make sure there’s nothing more serious going on.  Working on these good habits now will help them maintain healthy habits for life!  Looking for a pediatric dentist?  We would love to care for your family!