Bad breath is not a problem that affects only adults: children can also have it. The causes that generate it in the little ones are usually somewhat different from those of adults, although there are factors that influence halitosis regardless of the age you have, as is the case of digestive problems.
Eliminating bad breath in children requires specific solutions depending on the cause that has generated the halitosis. These are situations in which it is possible to use both medical and conventional treatments as well as natural ones. In we explain how to eliminate bad breath in children effectively.
Causes of bad breath in children
Bad breath in children can appear from different causes, such as digestive problems, although most of them are usually related to otolaryngology problems:
- Tonsils: having angina produces bad breath. And it is that the disease is in the throat and the agents that have caused it are the main cause of halitosis. In addition, sometimes anginas have holes in which food remains accumulate that, when not removed, cause the bad smell to appear.
- Hypertrophy of the adenoids: behind this complex name is what, in reality, is known as “vegetations” that are in the back of the nose, just above the throat. In this area, it is common for thick mucus to accumulate, although clusters of food debris also occur. This causes halitosis to appear.
- Sinus infection: Sinus problems (recognized by sore throat, runny nose, and burning nose), may also be behind halitosis. And it is that the nostrils and throat keep liquids, which are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. This leads to that bad breath that does not go away no matter how extreme hygiene.
- Fungi in the mouth: the fungi generate as a kind of white layer that covers the tongue and the cheek area on the inside. They can appear due to a lowering of defenses in the baby or child or by an infection due to their presence in nipples or other objects.
- Foreign body: Children tend to taste and smell everything. And also, to play and make laughs with anything they have around them. This means that, sometimes, they introduce into the nose some objects that they cannot then take out and that, with the passage of days, are causing halitosis. These objects can be of any kind: from a piece of eraser that includes the pencil at one end or a piece of wax paint.
- Food: lack of proper hygiene or if cleaning of the teeth and mouth is not done well are also clear causes of halitosis in children. The reason is none other than that food ferments, generating a bad smell. Cleanliness is even more important if children have cavities, because food scraps can also be stored in them.
- Ketosis: Bad breath usually appears when children go a long time without eating because they have vomiting or are diabetic. In these cases, ketosis occurs because you do not have the precise amount of sugar in your body. This is always accompanied by bad breath.
How to have good hygiene to eliminate bad breath in children
Regardless of the cause that has originated the bad breath in children, one of the best remedies there is to perform good oral hygiene. This must always be done. To do this, it is recommended that children (if necessary, with the help of the father or mother depending on age) do:
- Brush your teeth after each meal with brushes that are suitable.
- Do not forget to also wash your tongue and gums. Usually, they tend to brush only their teeth, but it is a mistake.
- Use mouthwash for further cleaning, although they should always be adapted to children. In these cases, it is best to consult with the doctor or dentist.
You may also be interested in How to Teach a Child to Brush Their Teeth.
Home Remedies for Bad Breath in Children
In those cases, in which there is a medical problem such as vegetation, angina or fungi in the mouth, among others that we have mentioned above, it will be necessary to go to the doctor to follow a clinical treatment. Anyway, there are a number of plants and products that can be used to prepare mouthwashes, which are used like conventional mouthwashes, or used in other formats such as chewing gum or toothpaste. The best ones are:
- Echinnaccea: it is one of the best plants, because it helps to increase the defenses and prevents the appearance of infections in the area of the mouth, nose and throat. It is prepared in infusion to gargle.
- Sage: it is a natural essence that helps eliminate bad breath, especially when it is related to problems that can come from the digestive system or the mouth due to inflammation of gums or bleeding. In addition, it has properties to fight bacteria.
- Calendula: it has antibacterial properties, which has made it a key and essential ingredient in many mouthwashes and even toothpastes.
- Myrrh gum: this resin from trees in Africa and Asia, has many health properties as it is antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, healing and analgesic, which is ideal for treating pharyngitis or other infections.
- Parsley: This herb is a natural antiseptic, thus helping to reduce bad breath. In the case of children, having a very characteristic flavor and that they do not usually like, it is better to use it in the meals they take.
- Cardamom seeds: contain cineole, which is a potent antiseptic. In this case, the child will have to chew a few seeds for a few minutes after each meal.
- Magnolia flower: Used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, recently research from the United States has discovered that its extract has great power to end bad breath. This product is found in chewing gum and toothpastes.
- Apple cider vinegar: it has antibacterial properties, being very useful for gargling. However, its use should not be continued because it damages the enamel of the teeth and the esophagus area.
- Baking soda: its power to eliminate bad breath in children focuses on changing the pH level inside the mouth, helping to eliminate germs or bacteria that cause bad breath. Its use is mixed with a little water to gargle.
What to eat to combat bad breath in children
Sometimes, bad breath is related to stomach problems or by the food that is ingested. In fact, there is a direct relationship between halitosis and food intake. And what do you have to feed the child? The answer is easy: a diet rich in leafy greens because they contain more chlorophyll; also, fruits such as apples, which are a food that favors the hygiene of the mouth in a natural way. In addition, water should also be drunk.
What NOT to Eat to Cure Bad Breath in Children
But you should never give him:
- Processed or hyper-processed foods.
- Products rich in refined sugars.
- Foods with a lot of fats.
- A diet in which you eat too much protein.
These tips on how to eliminate bad breath in children are very useful, but from we recommend that you always go to a doctor or pediatrician to determine what is the cause of your halitosis and put the treatment or indicate the most suitable guidelines to treat it and end that bad smell in your mouth.
