Every parent understands the need to groom their child hygienically. Bad breath can cause a child to face some social awkwardness , but it can also be a serious indicator or a symptom of numerous other diseases. Sometimes, the biggest challenge for a parent is to know when the issue is medical and when is it hygiene oriented.
Halitosis is the medical condition that causes bad breath and is also a symptom of numerous different illnesses that range from simple digestive issues like GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) to more serious issues like kidney failure. Combating this condition is essential for both physical and mental health of the child. Apart from the physical signs, halitosis could also impact emotional health resulting in conditions like chronic depression, anxiety and a number of complexes.
The first step to battling this potentially dangerous problem is to understand it.
Halitosis is not the same as a rare occurrence of bad breath. It is persistent bad breath due to some underlying cause. It generally is in the form of bacteria in your child’s mouth, releasing an odor that is unpleasant. This could be caused by improper dental hygiene, poor food habits, or certain medical conditions. Since children generally have bad breath more often than adults, it is often mistaken for halitosis. A child with bad breath can be self- conscious or socially awkward and hence must learn how to take care of his teeth properly.
Here are the most common causes of halitosis in children:
Poor oral hygiene: Bad breath can be caused if your child is not brushing and flossing his teeth properly and frequently enough. If plaque is not brushed away correctly, it could affect the gums. The tongue also harbors bacteria that could potentially cause bad breath, so ensure that your child is cleaning his tongue as well.
Sometimes, halitosis could be a symptom of some other underlying medical condition your child could be suffering from. These include:
Halitosis that stays for long extended period needs medical attention. The sooner your child gets medical attention the quicker the condition will resolve itself.
The most recognisable sign of halitosis is bad breath despite constant brushing or cleaning of teeth, tongue and mouth. But there can also be a different cause for the condition. Look out for other conditions like:
Chronic bad breath or halitosis in children is a symptom of various diseases. The commonly known causes for this condition are a number of ENT issues. Chronic bad breath is also known as recurring bad breath.
Bad breath can significantly affect a child’s social behaviour or face peer isolation. However, an important thing to do is to have a talk with your child and encourage healthy oral practices and help him/her overcome their self-conciousness.
The proper diagnosis of bad breath in children will include a physical examination of the head and neck as well as oral and dental examination. Your doctor might use a device known as halimeter to detect any sulphide gases in the breath. In almost 90% of all cases, bad breath or halitosis is caused by improper oral hygiene leading to cavities and other dental problems.
Since the cause of bad breath varies, the treatment for the condition is dependent on the cause.
There are plenty of home remedies you can use to reduce the bad breath your child suffers from. Here are a few:
These home remedies must be used along with whatever treatment plan your doctor decides on. While trying these remedies, make sure that your child continues good oral hygiene.
Since most of the cases of bad breath in children are caused by poor oral hygiene, you should teach your child how to take care of his teeth better.
Children are usually fussy when it comes to maintaining their oral health. Talk to them about it and explain what the importance of good oral hygiene is.
Most children do not know how to brush their teeth effectively. They must brush for at least 2 minutes and pay attention to all parts of the mouth. Not cleaning their tongue will cause bad breath.
Children tend to sleep longer than adults do. This allows the bacteria in the mouth to build up for longer. Children also eat more items that have high quantities of sugar. These two factors combined usually always guarantees bad breath.
This is not true for all cases. Yes, halitosis has been linked to diabetes, but it has been linked to several other conditions as well. Getting the proper medical treatment is imperative for an accurate diagnosis.
Conclusion: Dental and oral hygiene is very important to everyone but is especially more so to your growing child. Learning important routines of maintaining oral health is crucial for your child. Make sure he visits a child-friendly dentist who will teach him about the different ways to keep his teeth clean. You can then help him at home with his routine. Most often than not, bad breath in children is caused by poor oral hygiene.