Halitosis or more commonly known as bad breath is one of the most embarrassing oral health condition that most adults are diagnosed with. It is even unnoticed by the individual suffering from it but by the people they interact and speak with. But bad breath or dragon breath is not limited to adults as it is also prevalent on kids. Children are prone to bad breath that is caused by a variety of reasons.
Listed below are common causes of bad breath on children and ways or means of dealing and managing them for a fresher breath.
Food Debris. Food particles often stay longer than they should on kid’s mouth. Children who like to snack on sticky and sugary foods are on the fast track of tooth decay. The longer food particles stay on the mouth, the more the oral bacteria feast and produce acidic by product that give off foul smelling scent. If left unchecked, your kid could have cavities and plaque off of this food debris stuck on crevices and hard to reach areas. One of the best ways to get rid of these food particles is to let your kids rinse after any meal. They could vigorously swish or gargle cool water around their mouth for half a minute when they finish their meal to eliminate food debris left in the mouth.
Dry Mouth. Having dry mouth can cause kids to have recurring bad breath. Dry mouth occurs when the mouth has low levels of saliva or inhibited saliva production of the salivary glands. This can be triggered by dehydration or inadequate hydration. If left untreated, this could increase the number of oral bacteria resulting to having that funky smelling breath. The best thing to do to avoid this is to increase saliva production by getting your kids enough water and feeding them foods like cheese, apples, and carrots. If these tips don’t fix your kid’s bad breath, consult your dentist and visit Brooklyn dentistry as it may be caused by other health condition or medication.
Poor Oral Care Routine. Children aren’t as enthusiastic in oral care routine as adults because they often think of it as a chore; and let’s face it they easily get distracted or get bored. Poor oral hygiene is the number one cause of bad breath in children. Fortunately, proper oral care routine is easy to achieve just by having a clear schedule and a little work. Help kids brush their teeth on the appropriate amount of time that they should. Two minutes each time after major meals is the best length of time to cleanse their teeth. Make sure flossing is done both sides of the tooth and under the gum line so that no food particle would be left and bacteria would not foster on them. Be consistent in brushing schedules and clearly communicate when they brush. Gentle reminders on oral care routine can encourage them to take care of their teeth better as they age.
Halitosis stinks but it can be beaten. Help your kids fight bad breath with these simple steps.