Halitosis, or bad breath, is a common and mildly embarrassing condition that can lead to other health problems. While children may not have the same oral hygiene challenges that adults do, they still need to keep their teeth and gums healthy to avoid cavities and gum disease, and bad breath. The first step to treating bad breath is to figure out what causes it by learning more about the condition. Bad breath can be a frustrating problem for everyone, including children. Here are some possible reasons for it.



1. A Buildup of Plaque

If your child's teeth aren't brushed effectively on a daily basis, they're more likely to have buildup on their teeth which leads to bad breath. Plaque is a yellowish film that collects on teeth. It can eventually lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath because bacteria grow in plaque. Besides using oral hygiene practices to reduce all the problems caused by plaque, it’s important to consult a dentist, too. If you are in the Ottawa area and you need to find a dental provider, then the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa offers high-quality oral health care for children.



2. Sinus Infections

Sinus infections are a common health concern that can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses. These infections, too, can cause bad breath. There are many home remedy treatments available, but they all have one drawback: they can take a long time to work effectively. It's best to visit a doctor to create a treatment plan.



3. Infected Tonsils

Tonsils are small glands that are part of the immune system. They protect the airway by filtering bacteria and viruses before they reach the throat. When tonsils get swollen, it's cause for concern. Healthy tonsils often mean fewer infections and less risk of complications, so it's important to monitor your child's tonsil health with regular check-ups.



4. An Underlying Health Condition

Bad breath is a hallmark symptom of certain diseases and conditions. Some of the more common causes of bad breath in children include liver problems, kidney failure, stomach infections, oral cancer, and diabetes. Get immediate medical attention if you suspect that there might be an underlying health condition.



5. Insertion of a Foreign Object

If your toddler's or baby's breath smells like it has a persistent odor, one possible explanation is the insertion of foreign objects in their nostrils. The small size of a child's nostrils makes it easy for them to insert small objects such as beans, beads, and toy accessories out of curiosity. When these objects get lodged in a child's nasal passages, it can cause a variety of problems including nosebleeds and bad breath.



6. Dry Mouth

The most common symptom of dry mouth in children is speech problems. Speech difficulties can be caused by many things, such as certain medications, teeth grinding and even the condition called Sjögren's syndrome.



7. Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing can cause halitosis. Odor-causing bacteria exist all around us, and saliva is the body's natural defense against them. A lack of saliva due to mouth breathing can cause halitosis, tooth decay, and cavities.



8. Decaying Food

Children's breath can sometimes smell a bit foul, especially in the morning when their mouth might have been holding onto food particles that have built up on the tongue throughout the night. 



9. A Recent Meal

If your child has recently eaten red meat, cheese, fish, onion, or garlic, then their breath may just smell bad.



Treating Your Child’s Bad Breath

Here are three effective ways to treat bad breath.



1. Brush Teeth

It is so important for children to start brushing their teeth twice a day. Supervision is important when they are first learning about brushing their teeth. It's helpful to have your child brush with you in the bathroom until you are confident that they can do it on their own.



2. Daily Flossing

Flossing daily can help remove food particles and plaque buildup in your teeth. Most people floss every day, but the habit is not enough to maintain good oral health.



3. Regular Checkups

The Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa offers parents a wide range of procedures and treatments to eliminate bad breath in their children. We offer treatment for infected gums and damaged teeth or other factors that could cause bad breath. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to determine the best route of action for eliminating your child’s bad breath.