Most of us are very aware that cavities and tooth decay can cause halitosis—so what could possibly cause bad breath in a kid who has a perfect set of new teeth? While it is certainly true that cavities are potential sources of bad breath, there are certainly more possibilities to consider when trying to figure out the source of halitosis in a child. Some of the more common causes of bad breath include:
- Periodontitis As A Manifestation of Systemic Disease
- Dry Mouth
- Diet high in protein, sugar, or complex carbohydrates
Periodontitis is a known cause of bad breath because it is an infection that afflicts the gingival and bone tissue surrounding our teeth. As the condition worsens, chronic bad breath becomes more acute and it will cause teeth to loosen.
While it is typically found in adults over the age of 35, it is possible to develop the condition as a kid if caused by a larger systemic disease such as diabetes. In this form, it is called Periodontitis as a manifestation of a systemic disease and children are possible candidates, especially with diabetes rates on the rise in youth. Therefore, if you cannot seem to understand why typical bad breath solutions are failing to stop the problem, consult with your pediatrician immediately.
Dry mouth is a very common source of bad breath problems—even in children. The cause of bad breath, in nearly 85% of cases, is a form of oral bacteria that lives in the mouth. Typically located on the back of the tongue and other soft tissue in the mouth, oral bacteria feed upon food particles missed during normal oral hygiene. The bacteria secrete sulfur compounds that actually cause the odor associated with bad breath.
A dry mouth will cause the bacteria population to grow faster than normal because saliva typically washes away the excess food particles and sulfur compounds when we swallow. Plus, since saliva is rich in oxygen and the bacteria responsible for causing bad breath problems do not like well-oxygenated environments, a dry mouth means that these harmful microbes can breed faster—and thus produce more sulfur compounds and bad breath.
If your child is very active, you may want to increase their fluid intake to see if that helps cure the bad breath. Another option before switching to medications would be to use a bad breath natural remedy. When increased fluid intake and natural remedies fail to be effective bad breath treatment and you can find no other cause, consult with a pediatrician or dentist immediately as some larger medical problem is likely at play.
Finally, believe it or not, bacteria tend to prefer certain foods over others. When a diet is rich in proteins, sugars, or complex carbohydrates, the population of bacteria in the mouth tend to grow faster. So, try reducing the level of these foods in your child’s diet and supplementing with raw vegetables. Although the bacteria will still grow and feed upon food particles, it will be at a lower rate and should reduce the bad breath in the kid.
