Bad breath is not just for grown-ups!

      Children can develop bad breath.  Most of the time it is associated with a cold, sore throat or sinus infection.  In teen-agers, it can be due to poor hygiene associated with braces or retainers or other orthodontic devices. Kids whose noses are blocked tend to breathe through their mouths. This dries out the mouth which can also contribute to bad breath. Further, an infected tooth, an abscessed gum or impacted food that is rotting in a hard-to-reach space between teeth will also smell pretty bad.

What causes the breath to smell bad?, An accumulation of sulfur-containing compounds having long chemical names like hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethylsulfide. Additionally, other smelly chemicals such as indole, skatol and cadaverine may also be present.

Research involving children found the number one cause of Bad Breath to be plaque, that build-up of bacteria and minerals on the teeth that the dental hygienist carefully scrapes off during your checkup. The second culprit? Coating on the back of the tongue. Nearly all the kids improved with increased attention to oral hygiene.

How do you prevent Bad Breath in your children - Regular brushing and flossing (remember that bacteria love to live in the spaces between the teeth that a toothbrush just can't reach), including brushing the tongue. Second, take your child for regular dental checkups to get that sticky plaque removed.

If Bad Breath persists, consider taking them to a pediatrician to make sure they aren't suffering from another easily treated condition like strep throat.  Finally, at present,  there is no data that downing herbal supplements decreases bad breath in kids.

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Last modified: October 17, 2007