Bad breath is something that as a general rule is associated with adults, however, it is something that occurs very frequently also in children. Generally, one tends to think that bad breath is caused by poor dental hygiene, but that is not always the cause, since this problem can be caused by many different reasons.
Therefore, it is very important not to overlook this situation in children, since the causes of bad breath can be important. Halitosis in children can have its origin in different parts of the body, so it is essential to analyze the child and detect as soon as possible if it is an isolated case or if on the contrary there may be a problem with the functioning of your organs.
Causes of bad breath in children
In most cases, the cause of bad breath in children is in the mouth, especially in the most hidden area of the tongue. That's where food scraps accumulate, in addition to other substances such as mucus. Therefore, the mouth becomes a perfect place for the proliferation of bacteria, which are the cause of bad odor.
Saliva has a very important role, since it is the one in charge of cleaning and eliminating microbes that can proliferate in that humid area. For this reason, when saliva production is reduced, such as at night while you sleep, it is very common to wake up with bad breath. This phenomenon also occurs after talking for a long time, the mouth becomes dry and dehydration favors bad breath, also in the case of children.
There are other causes that can cause bad breath in children, like the following.
A respiratory infection
One of the common symptoms of colds and colds is respiratory infection. Due, sinuses become congested and runny nose appears and the headache, the result of said congestion. However, when the mucus has a yellowish color, it is very possible that there is a paranasal infection.
As a consequence of this respiratory problem, the child has to breathe through the mouth and keep it open for longer than usual. This causes dehydration, the possible proliferation of bacteria and with it bad breath. Throat infections are also the cause of bad breath in children, very common in school age.
Obstruction in the nose
Children are naturally curious, and they do not come with the lesson of danger learned from series. This union turns into a dangerous bomb. Many children tend to pry into the holes in their body, especially the nostrils. It is not uncommon for the child introduces any item into the nose and don't tell you anything. When this happens and the object does not come out of the hole, different infections can occur.
Even if the object introduced is a food such as a bean or a nut, there is an even greater danger. Due to the humidity of the area, food can reproduce and take root. What could cause a deviation in the nasal septum, among others.
Mouth problems
Neglecting oral hygiene is usually one of the most frequent causes bad breath in children. Food accumulates on the gums, molars, and any part of the oral cavity. This especially humid area is the perfect place for bacteria to proliferate and cause various problems. Tooth decay, gum disease, or any injury to the oral cavity causes bad breath and must be treated quickly.
How to avoid bad breath in children
First it is essential that there are good oral hygiene habitsl. Since the first teeth appear, even earlier, it is necessary to clean children's mouths. In this way, you can create the habit of brushing teeth and thus prevent the little one from suffering various dental problems as a consequence.
It is also essential see a specialist regularlyIn this way, you can make sure that your child's mouth is perfect and that there is no problem to deal with. On the other hand, if the problem is associated with any respiratory or throat infection, the child will need antibiotics to cure the root problem. Bad breath will disappear in this case once the infection is eliminated, always with the help of proper oral hygiene.