Bad breath in children: What to do?

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Many people think that bad breath only occurs in adults. However, children can also suffer from bad breath if they do not have proper oral care and hygiene. So how to overcome bad breath in children?

1. What is bad breath?

Bad breath is also known as halitosis, it can make sufferers feel embarrassed and in some cases can lead to feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem. Today, supermarket shelves are flooded with gum, mints, mouthwash and other products designed to fight bad breath. However, many products are only temporary solutions, because they do not completely address the cause of the condition.
Certain foods, health conditions and habits are among the causes of bad breath. In most cases, proper oral hygiene will help improve this problem. If oral care techniques do not solve the problem, you should see your dentist for advice and timely treatment.
Bad breath varies, depending on the cause of bad breath. Some people may be overly concerned about their breath even though they have little or no bad breath.
There are also some people who have bad breath but do not know they have this condition. Because we can hardly judge what our breath smells like, but it is easy to recognize the smell of others.
When it comes to bad breath, most people will immediately think of adults, but in fact children can suffer from bad breath just like adults.

2. Causes of bad breath in children

Bad breath in children is a phenomenon where mucus secretions remain on the tongue when decomposed, causing an unpleasant odor. If prolonged, it can lead to tooth decay, tooth enamel damage.
Bad breath causes unpleasant odors when children breathe, talk, make children lose confidence in communication. There are many causes of bad breath in children, but 70% of cases are due to the teeth.
Healthy children and adults can also be susceptible to bad breath. Possible causes of bad breath in children are:
Dry mouth: if a child breathes through his or her mouth, as when a child has a stuffy nose, bacteria in their mouth are more likely to grow uninhibited. Foreign body: like a pea, a small toy, or another object a child puts in their nose can cause bad breath. This is especially common in babies and toddlers. Poor oral hygiene: bacteria normally live in the mouth and interact with food particles left between teeth, at the gum line, and above or below the tongue. This will cause bad breath, especially if the food stays in the mouth for a long time. Food: The breakdown of food in and around the teeth can increase bacteria and cause odors. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and spices, can also cause bad breath. After digesting these foods, they enter the bloodstream, are carried to the lungs and affect the baby's breathing. Medications: Certain medications can indirectly cause bad breath by contributing to dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on the baby's breath. Cavities, tartar buildup, or tooth abscesses: These conditions can affect the degree of decay in children of any age and cause bad breath. In addition, gum disease (gum) can also cause many diseases and cause bad breath, but it is rare in children. In addition, children with certain other problems such as sinus infections, tonsillitis, acid reflux or seasonal allergies can also cause bad breath.

3. How to cure bad breath in children

In most cases of bad breath, oral hygiene is the simplest and least expensive measure. If your baby is an infant, try to wipe or brush the gums on any of your baby's teeth after each feed and at bedtime. You should brush gently, roll your tongue to avoid hurting children and do not use toothpaste at this age.
When children go through the infancy stage, parents should brush their teeth at least twice a day and repeat before going to bed. Until your child is 2 years old, just use a dot of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice.
Parents need to take their children for regular check-ups to make sure their children's teeth are healthy and clean. If your child still has bad breath, take him to the doctor to check for another medical condition.
Besides, parents also need to make sure that children need to wash their hands often with soap if they suck their thumbs or thumbs and wash their media regularly.
Finally, don't let your child be self-conscious about his bad breath. Try to deal with the problem realistically, even if it confuses you a bit.

4. Should children with bad breath use mouthwash?

Children with bad breath should not use mouthwash, because mouthwash will only be a temporary solution. In addition, if your child is not yet of school age, he or she may have trouble rinsing his mouth and may not yet have mastered the skill of spitting. To deal with bad breath in children, the simplest way is to ensure that your child is brushing his teeth several times a day.

5. How to prevent bad breath in children?

To reduce or prevent bad breath in children, the following can be done:
Brushing teeth after meals: children brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals . Toothpaste has antibacterial properties that have been shown to reduce bad breath. Flossing: For older children, you can teach your child to floss at least once a day to remove food particles and plaque between teeth, helping to control bad breath. Brush your tongue: Tongue contains bacteria, so brushing your tongue helps reduce odors. In children whose tongue is covered by bacterial overgrowth (due to dry mouth), tongue brushing can improve the condition. In addition, using a toothbrush with a built-in tongue cleaner also brings certain benefits. Avoid dry mouth: To keep the mouth moist, you should give your child plenty of water, avoid soft drinks because this is the cause of the dry mouth becoming more serious. Children can chew gum or suck on candy (preferably without sugar) to stimulate saliva production. For chronic dry mouth, your dentist or doctor may prescribe artificial saliva preparations or oral medications to stimulate the salivary glands. Adjust your child's diet: Avoid giving your child foods that contain a lot of sugar as they have been linked to bad breath. Change your toothbrush often: Replace your toothbrush when it's worn out, you should replace it every 3-4 months and choose a toothbrush with soft bristles.

In addition, parents should also take their children to regular dental check-ups twice a year to have their teeth examined and cleaned, to avoid dental diseases in children.
Bad breath not only makes children lose confidence but also increases the risk of many dental diseases. Therefore, parents need to be very careful when cleaning the teeth of preschool children, this is the stage when children have all their baby teeth but still do not know how to properly clean their teeth.
Children need to provide enough elemental zinc/day for them to eat well, reach the correct height and weight and exceed the standard. Zinc plays a role in affecting most biological processes taking place in the body, especially the breakdown of nucleic acids, proteins... Organs in the body when zinc deficiency can lead to a There are a number of diseases such as neurological disorders, irritability, etc. Therefore, parents need to learn about the role of zinc and guide them to appropriate zinc supplements for their children.
In addition to zinc, parents also need to supplement their children with other important vitamins and minerals such as lysine, chromium, B vitamins,... errands.
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.

References: babycenter.com, mayoclinic.org, kidshealth.org