Bad breath in a child

Strong bad breath in a child can occur in children of any age (in some cases even in infants). The medical term for this condition is halitosis.

[ 1 ]

Causes bad breath

There are several reasons for halitosis in a child – the main ones include:

• Certain drinks or foods (such as onions or garlic, corn, cheese, and certain juices) can temporarily worsen the odor. Excessive consumption of sweets can also be a causative factor for the appearance of various pathogenic bacteria in the mouth that emit an unpleasant odor;
• Lack of oral hygiene – since children generally do not like to brush their teeth and do not do it often, an unpleasant odor appears, because without regular brushing of teeth, bacteria begin to accumulate in the oral cavity. The odor can be, among other things, a symptom of caries or problems with the gums;
• Fungi in the oral cavity. With healthy microflora in the mouth, a balance of microbes and fungi is maintained, but if this balance is destabilized, an inflammatory process begins, which is accompanied by a bad smell. An imbalance can occur as a result of improper nutrition (for example, if a child eats a lot of starchy foods). This disease manifests itself in the form of white spots on the tongue, lips or cheeks from the inside. If such signs appear, you need to show the baby to a doctor;
• A child has a coating on his tongue. It is important to remember that in addition to teeth, children also need to clean their tongue, because food particles accumulate in the unevenness of the tongue, which causes bacteria to multiply and a bad smell to appear. The tongue should be cleaned regularly. Babies should wipe it with a damp, clean gauze;
• Mouth breathing – this process contributes to dry mouth, which can result in bad breath;
• Mucus in the sinuses. Mucus accumulating in the nasopharynx and sinuses is a fairly common pathology, resulting in bad breath and an unpleasant taste. Children suffering from chronic sinusitis or seasonal allergies are also susceptible to halitosis, because breathing through the mouth dries out the natural moisture in the nasopharynx, and the accumulated mucus creates a smell. Its occurrence can also be provoked by certain anti-cold or anti-allergy nasal drops;
• Problems with tonsils in chronic tonsillitis. In this case, pathogenic microbes begin to multiply in them, which is why they become loose. Sometimes white-yellow lumps with a strong odor come out of the tonsils. Usually they are food residues stuck in the tonsils and have begun the process of rotting. With such a problem, it is necessary to gargle the child's throat with plain water after each meal. It is also necessary to remove dairy products (cheese and cottage cheese), seeds from his diet;
• Gastrointestinal disorders – due to increased acidity of gastric secretions, the child develops a bad smell from the mouth. Sometimes it occurs as a result of eating food that is too heavy for the baby;
• Fear, stress or strong emotional overstrain - this usually causes the mucous membrane to dry out or, on the contrary, profuse salivation begins. Both of these factors can become the causative factors of bad odor.

[ 2 ]

Risk factors

Factors contributing to the development of halitosis in children:

• The air in the room where the child is located is constantly dry;
• The baby is very active and overly mobile, which causes him to sweat a lot, which causes dry mouth;
• Development of any acute respiratory viral infection (with the flu or any cold, the respiratory organs dry out and a lot of mucus accumulates in them, which serves as a source of additional protein for microbes (which, when broken down, forms sulfur compounds);
• Various chronic inflammatory processes in the respiratory organs – bronchitis, tonsillitis or pneumonia;
• The presence of caries or periodontal disease in the child;
• Allergic rhinitis, which results in excess mucus accumulating in the mouth and nose;
• Inflammation of the adenoids.

[ 3 ]

Symptoms

In case of a disease of the digestive system, accompanying symptoms are flatulence, changes in stool, regurgitation and belching, as well as constipation.

If inflammation occurs in the nasopharynx, among other signs - folds near the lips and nose stand out, and swelling appears under the eyes. Also in this case, the child will snore in his sleep and breathe through the mouth.

In addition, halitosis may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Loose teeth or toothache;
• Unpleasant sensations in the throat (scratching, lump, pain);
• Mucus runs down the back of the throat;
• Breathing through the nose becomes more difficult;
• Nausea, as well as belching and heartburn;
• Dry mouth;
• Feeling of thirst;
• Unpleasant taste;
• Coughing up blood.

[ 4 ]

Forms

There are several types of unpleasant odor that can occur in a baby's mouth.

Acetone or vinegar. This smell, especially if the baby also has a high temperature, is a very dangerous signal. This symptom occurs with non-diabetic ketoacidosis, which often occurs in children of different ages. In this case, you need to immediately call a doctor and until he arrives, give the baby boiled water to drink - in small portions (a teaspoon) and often.

A faint smell of acetone may indicate problems with the pancreas, kidney disease, dysbacteriosis, helminthic invasions, diabetes. Therefore, if such a symptom appears, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible.

A putrid odor usually occurs due to poor oral hygiene, some ENT disease (pharyngitis, sore throat or tonsillitis; against this background, the child has a cough, nasal congestion and a white tongue), caries, stomatitis, esophageal diseases or low stomach acidity (the child often complains of abdominal pain). In this case, you need to consult an ENT specialist, dentist and gastroenterologist, and also make sure that the child brushes his teeth regularly and provides him with a proper drinking regime.

A strong smell of pus is mainly a symptom of chronic inflammation, as well as the growth of lymphoid tissue in the child's nasopharynx. The tonsils are covered with a pus coating, as a result of which plugs appear, creating a bad smell. Additional symptoms include a runny nose, fever, plaque on the throat, and a coated tongue. You should contact a pediatrician, as antibiotic treatment may be necessary.

If a child has a sour smell from the mouth, it is possible that the acidity in the stomach has increased or inflammation has begun there. In this case, the child should be examined by a gastroenterologist - perhaps he has gastritis. Another reason may be the reflux of gastric secretions into the child's esophagus - in this case, he will feel pain behind the breastbone and heartburn.

In case of a sweetish smell, a possible cause may be liver disease. Therefore, it is very important to visit a gastroenterologist as soon as possible - such a symptom may indicate hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver.

A chemical smell can be a sign of a disease of the digestive organs (especially the gallbladder). It occurs when the bile ducts are dysfunctional.

The smell of chlorine mixed with metal is a sign of periodontal disease and high bleeding gums. You should contact a pediatric dentist.

If you smell iodine, you should consult an endocrinologist, as this symptom may be a sign of excess iodine in the body. This condition usually occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to the sea, in case of thyroid disease, or after taking iodized medications. This smell may occur as a result of infection with a bacterium from the Klebsiella group, which enters the body along with unwashed fruits - it can provoke acute gastrointestinal infections.

If the smell of bile appears, you need to perform an ultrasound of the abdominal organs and take the necessary general tests - this symptom may be a sign of poor bile outflow from the gallbladder, cholecystitis and biliary dyskinesia.

The smell of iron in a baby may be a signal of iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, it is necessary to donate blood to determine the level of hemoglobin. If the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to take vitamin complexes that contain iron. The reasons may also be high acidity, gastrointestinal diseases, gastritis and dysbacteriosis.

The smell of urine indicates the development of diabetes or kidney disease. It occurs due to a decrease in insulin levels, as well as a disruption of the carbohydrate metabolism process.

Stool odor is a rare occurrence and is usually associated with hereditary problems. It occurs in the event of a disorder, intestinal obstruction. It can be diagnosed by a gastroenterologist or endocrinologist.

A smell reminiscent of rotten eggs, belching and a white coating on the tongue are signs of liver disease, peptic ulcer, gastritis, and problems with bile flow. In this case, the child should be taken to a gastroenterologist.

If a yeast smell appears, candidiasis is usually diagnosed. Often this smell also accompanies stomach diseases.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Diagnostics bad breath

During the diagnostic process, an analysis of complaints and anamnesis is performed - how long ago halitosis occurred, at what time of day it usually appears, is there a connection with food consumption, are there any diseases (in chronic form) of the gums, oral cavity, nose and its sinuses, liver, gastrointestinal tract; is there difficulty breathing through the nose, etc.

The doctor also evaluates the degree of odor using the organoleptic method (its intensity in this case can be estimated within 0-5). In this case, before the procedure, you cannot use breath fresheners, mouthwash, or drink or eat.

The pediatric dentist examines the tongue and oral cavity (the tongue may have a yellowish or white coating). You should consult a pediatric pulmonologist to rule out lung or bronchial disease, and also a pediatric gastroenterologist and, in some cases, a pediatric otolaryngologist.

[ 7 ]

Tests

A blood test is performed using a biochemical analysis (in this case, the level of glucose, liver and kidney enzymes are analyzed). The patient also has a stool sample taken to detect the possible presence of worm eggs.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnostic procedures are also carried out.

Sulfide monitoring, in which, using a special device called a halimeter, the doctor calculates the number of sulfur compounds in the air that the patient exhales.

Pharyngoscopy (examination of the throat) and laryngoscopy (examination of the larynx) are performed. In the second case, optical instruments are used for a more detailed examination - a flexible fiberoptic laryngoscope and a rigid laryngoscope.

The nose and nasopharynx are examined through an endoscope.

In some cases, to rule out diseases of the paranasal sinuses, a CT scan or X-ray of this area is performed.

Treatment bad breath

If your child develops halitosis, you should eliminate or seriously limit the consumption of sweets. You can replace them with honey and sour fruits (for example, oranges, apples, etc.), because they can increase the secretion of saliva.

If the smell continues to persist for a long time, it is imperative to take the child to a doctor for an examination to identify the cause of this symptom and find a way to eliminate it.

Traditional and herbal medicine

There are several folk methods of treating halitosis in children.

You can rinse your mouth with a decoction of chamomile, sage, mint or wild strawberry. You need to take 1 tbsp. of the ingredient, pour boiling water over it, and then strain it when it cools. Drink 3-4 times a day.

To improve gum health, you should use oak bark - this is a well-known fact. You need to pour boiling water over 1 tbsp of the ingredient and let it brew for half an hour. Then you need to rinse your throat and mouth with this infusion.

To freshen your breath, you can use chewing gum, which is made using a folk method. You need to melt beeswax (100 g) on the fire, then add 10 drops of lemon juice, 3 drops of peppermint oil, and 50 g of honey. This mixture should be stirred until a homogeneous mass is obtained, and then cooled and rolled into balls. The resulting "chewing gum" should be chewed several times a day - it helps eliminate unpleasant odor and has a positive effect on the oral cavity.

Take mint (1 tbsp. crushed leaves) and pour boiling water (0.5 l) over it, then leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse your mouth with the resulting infusion several times a day.

If a bad smell appears due to gastric pathology, it is recommended to take wormwood tincture for 1 month - 1 cup/day.

Read also:

• Hygienic cleaning of teeth
• Cleaning teeth with soda
• Professional teeth cleaning

[ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Complications and consequences

The consequence of halitosis can be social isolation of the child, which can greatly reduce the quality of life and lead to depression.

Prevention

To prevent the development of bad breath in a child, you need to adhere to the following rules:

• It is necessary to thoroughly brush the baby's teeth 2 times a day immediately from the moment the first tooth appears. At an older age, he needs to be taught to use a brush and properly remove plaque from the teeth;
• It is necessary to adhere to a nutrition system that corresponds to the child's age. Introduce fruits and vegetables into his diet, as well as foods rich in calcium and phosphorus;
• Remove chocolate, sugar and other sweets from your diet, replacing them with honey;
• The child should drink plenty of fluids, observing the required daily norm;
• Regular preventive dental examinations are necessary to prevent the possibility of developing caries.

[ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Forecast

Bad breath in a child can be eliminated quickly and without complications if timely and correct measures are taken to identify and eliminate it. Often, it is enough to visit a dentist or gastroenterologist and begin performing the necessary hygiene procedures to restore healthy and fresh breath. If bad breath is ignored, a favorable prognosis should not be expected.

[ 14 ]