Encouraging good dental care in your children from an early age helps them develop habits that stay with them into adulthood. In addition to taking your kids to the pediatric dentist twice a year for routine cleanings and checkups, learning about the common causes of bad breath helps them enjoy better oral health. Below are common reasons children experience foul breath. 

What Are Reasons for Bad Breath in Children? 

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

Children are not always eager to brush their teeth, which allows food debris to remain in their mouths. Dental plaque feeds on food particles, especially sugary food particles, and generates cavity-causing acids. To encourage teeth cleaning enthusiasm in your kids, allow them to choose their own toothbrushes and toothpaste. Kids’ dental products come in a wide variety of colors and often feature favorite children’s characters. It also helps to put on tooth brushing songs and brush as a family, since kids often imitate their parents. 

2. Eating Pungent Food 

Some foods are known for producing odors as they break down and enter the bloodstream and lungs, including onions, tuna, spices, and garlic. If your children eat anything odorous, their breath will not smell as fresh until the food passes through their systems. Mouthwash, tooth brushing, mints, and gums help dampen the odors but do not completely eliminate them. 

3. Sinus Infections

When fluid builds up in the nasal passages and throat from sinus infections, bacteria accumulates and makes the breath smell less than fresh. Other throat issues can cause foul breath problems, including swollen tonsils that provide space for bacteria to collect. Breath problems clear up along with the infections, which might require visiting the doctor, depending on the severity of the symptoms. 

4. Dry Mouth

Children who breathe through their mouths, suck their thumbs, or do not drink enough water can experience dry mouth symptoms. A dry mouth lacks the saliva necessary to wash away food particles and bacteria, allowing related debris to remain in the mouth and contribute to tooth decay. Certain medications can also cause dry mouth side effects, including paroxetine and fluvoxamine. Solving a dry mouth issue naturally depends on the cause, such as having your children drink more water or practice nasal breathing. 

If it’s time to schedule pediatric dentist visits, contact Pediatric Dentistry of Onalaska LLC. Based in Onalaska, WI, and serving the Tri-State area since 2002, these pediatric dentists focus on keeping children comfortable and relaxed. Call (608) 781-9114 today to make appointments, or visit the website for service information. Like the pediatric dentists on Facebook for more oral care tips.