THE BEST TIPS FOR FIGHTING BAD BREATH IN CHILDREN

 Does your little one have bad breath? Don’t panic! It’s not necessarily a sign of a health problem. Often, halitosis can disappear with a few simple care tips. Here are all our tips for combating bad breath in children.

WHY DO SOME CHILDREN HAVE BAD BREATH?

Bad breath in children is quite common. It can be due to various factors, such as poor dental hygiene, an imbalance in the gut flora, or the consumption of certain foods. In other cases, mouth breathing is to blame.

WHY ARE CHILDREN AFFECTED?

Children can suffer from bad breath, just like adults. Therefore, it's important to understand the cause of a child’s halitosis to help restore their digestive and oral balance. Let’s explore this in more detail.

DIETARY CAUSES

As you know, good health begins with diet. In other words, the quality of the food you offer your child is very important. If their diet does not meet their nutritional needs or digestive capacity, they may have difficulty digesting their food, often leading to halitosis.

That’s not all! Certain foods are known to cause temporary bad breath. These include sugary drinks, sodas, onions, and garlic.

POOR DENTAL HYGIENE

When a child has bad breath, it’s often a sign of poor oral hygiene. The child may not brush their teeth often enough, or their technique may be inadequate. The consequence? The formation of dental plaque, which leads to the growth of unpleasant-smelling bacteria. As you can see, tooth brushing is crucial when a child suffers from halitosis.

GOOD TO KNOW:

In some cases, it’s not the dental hygiene that’s at fault but the toothpaste’s composition. In cases of bad breath, it might be helpful to switch to a more natural formula.

CAVITIES

If a child has bad breath, it’s important to make a dentist appointment to check their teeth. Some children may have cavities that don’t cause discomfort or pain but encourage the growth of bacteria.

TEETHING

Sometimes, babies have bad breath when teething because they produce a lot of saliva, which can encourage bacterial growth. This is completely normal, but it’s important to clean the first teeth with a brush designed for young children and a bit of water to remove bacteria.

IMBALANCES IN THE GUT FLORA

Children can have bad breath when their gut microbiota is weakened. This is often the case after taking antibiotics or when their diet is unbalanced.

MOUTH BREATHING

Did you know? Children who breathe through their mouth can have bad breath. Want to know why? Mouth breathing dries out the mucous membranes, which encourages the growth of foul-smelling bacteria. You see, saliva plays a crucial role in regulating oral flora and controlling acidity in the mouth.

HOW TO FIGHT BAD BREATH IN CHILDREN: OUR ADVICE

You’ve just discovered the main causes of bad breath in children. Now, here are some tips to help relieve your child. Of course, these suggestions do not replace a medical consultation, and you should consult your GP or paediatrician if halitosis persists or is particularly severe.

MAKE HERBAL TEAS

To eliminate bad breath in children, you can brew herbal teas with plants known for their refreshing properties. For example, you can infuse thyme or spruce for 15 minutes. Herbal infusions can be consumed as drinks or used as mouthwash after meals.

BUY A FUN TOOTHBRUSH

Encourage good dental hygiene by buying a fun toothbrush for your child. You can choose one with their favourite characters. Whatever you choose, teach your child to brush their teeth for about 3 minutes in the morning and evening. You can use a timer to help them.

GOOD TO KNOW:

If your child has bad breath, you can teach them to use dental floss to remove food particles.

GET XYLITOL CHEWING GUM

This natural sweetener is particularly effective for neutralising acidity and dental plaque! Xylitol is derived from birch bark and certain fruits and vegetables. It’s used to make chewing gums that freshen breath and remove food particles when there’s no time or opportunity to brush. You can find this type of gum in supermarkets or pharmacies.

CONSULT A NATUROPATH

To help your child, you could consult a naturopath. During the consultation, you’ll learn how to support their digestion by adjusting their diet. You might also discover some natural supplements that support gut microbiota.

From this article, you’ve learned several tips for combating bad breath in children. As you can see, you should monitor their diet quality and encourage good dental hygiene. Also, teach your little one to adjust their breathing to limit the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

In any case, if halitosis persists or is very bothersome, make an appointment with a healthcare professional for a check-up and to establish an appropriate treatment plan.