Many mothers suffer from bad breath for their children, without knowing the main reason behind this smell that disturbs everyone and causes embarrassment for parents.
This phenomenon has occasional reasons due to lack of personal hygiene , and other reasons related to infection with certain diseases, which in turn cause this smell.
Therefore, in WebTeb, we provide everything you need to know about bad breath in children and ways to deal with it.
Why do children get bad breath?
It is worth noting that the incidence of bad breath for children is higher than that of adults for several different reasons.
Children are known to sleep longer hours and tend to eat sweetened foods more than adults.
It is known that germs need sugars in order to feed and multiply, producing strong acids that penetrate into the mouth.
Thus, we conclude, that there is a direct relationship between the number of hours the child sleeps and the nature of the food he eats on the one hand, and bad breath on the other hand.
Children are known to sleep longer hours and tend to eat sweetened foods more than adults.
It is known that germs need sugars in order to feed and multiply, producing strong acids that penetrate into the mouth.
Thus, we conclude, that there is a direct relationship between the number of hours the child sleeps and the nature of the food he eats on the one hand, and bad breath on the other hand.
There are several reasons that lead to bad breath in children, including:
1- Poor oral and dental health
It is one of the most common causes among children.
The toothbrush may fail to get rid of the accumulated bacteria that grow on the remaining food particles or the protein between the teeth resulting from food debris, which leads to bad breath.
2- Mouth breathing
Children often breathe through their mouths when sleeping or when their nose is blocked.
If your baby is breathing through his mouth, due to nasal congestion , for example, the bacteria in his mouth are likely to grow quietly and without disturbance.
3- Gum disease
Gingivitis or gum disease is also an inflammatory condition that causes bad breath in children.
In short, bacteria are created by active gum disease that causes bad breath.
Your children may develop oral infections or gum disease due to a lack of proper care, and the injuries could be due to high sugar in their diet or due to poor dental hygiene.
Some scientific studies have shown that about 15% of people who suffer from bad breath suffer from gum disease.
4- Diet
Foods such as garlic, onions, or cheese can cause bad breath in children.
A high-protein or low-carb diet can also lead to bad breath.
As the lack of carbohydrates in the body leads to the production of ketones .
Ketones are substances produced by the breakdown of fats. A deficiency in a specific food source leads to lipolysis, and as a result ketones accumulate in the blood.
Unused ketones are released into the body through the air we breathe, giving them an acetone-like smell.
The diet along with poor oral hygiene may eventually lead to bad breath in children.
5- A health or illness condition
Sinusitis , tonsillitis, or even seasonal allergies can cause bad breath.
Also, some children with GERD have an unpleasant breath odor.
6- Tooth decay
Tooth decay leads to the accumulation of germs in the mouth and on the surfaces of the tongue, and decay begins to appear as white spots on the teeth, and at an advanced stage, it leads to the presence of holes in it.
This leads to the formation of small abscesses in the root of the tooth or the gums that cause uncomfortable pain, and the child's mouth becomes foul.
And some scientific studies found that 24% of people who have bad breath suffer from tooth decay and the accompanying accumulation of bacteria in their mouth.
7- Dry mouth
Dry mouth reduces the production of saliva which plays an important role in washing away food particles and bacteria that tend to settle in the child's mouth.
It is known that saliva production stops during sleep, and it is very necessary to clean the mouth from bacteria and food debris.
Therefore, when the child sleeps, saliva is not produced and thus these germs collect in the mouth, which leads to bad breath in children after they wake up.
What are the methods of treating bad breath in children?
There are several steps that you can take with your child to treat bad breath, here are the most important of them:
Adopting healthy habits
The most important healthy habits that can be followed:
Take good care of oral hygiene
Teaching your children about oral hygiene is the first step you must take to prevent bad breath.
Make sure your child brushes his teeth regularly, for at least two minutes each time and after each meal.
Drink water a lot
Make your child drink plenty of water as it stimulates the production of saliva that is beneficial to eliminate remaining bacteria from food debris.
As well as secretion of saliva at the required level, it prevents dry mouth, and thus, bad odor in the mouth.
A healthy diet
Make sure your child eats healthy meals that include fruits and vegetables in their diet while reducing sugar intake.
These foods superbly increase the flow of saliva and prevent dry mouth.
2- Home remedies
The most important home remedies that can reduce bad breath:
parsley
Parsley is a natural freshener, it aids in the digestive process and also reduces gases in the inner intestine that can cause bad breath.
Encourage your children to chew a small piece of parsley after a meal, which may help remove bad breath.
Cardamom and cloves
Spices like cardamom and cloves are mouth fresheners that can eliminate bad breath in children.
Make sure to always consult your doctor before giving a child these natural prescriptions.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps cleanse the body of toxins and also helps you get rid of bad breath.
Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water to gargle.
Have your child rinse the mouth with this solution and keep it up after ten seconds, when he or she is old enough to do so.
Chew sugarless gum
Sugar free gum helps secrete more saliva, avoids dry mouth and thus prevents bad breath.
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