If you notice a terrible smell when your child get close to you, his or her bad breath is something you want to address. Bad breath is called halitosis in the medical world and it can result from a number of causes.
You want to know what causes bad breath in children so that you can target the treatments in your children. Consider the following because they are the most common reasons for bad breath:
- Poor oral hygiene is not uncommon in kids because they are still learning how to properly care for their teeth and mouth.
- If food particles are left between the teeth, they start to smell because they rot. They can also attract bacteria which will worsen the smell.
- Plaque can build up if kids are not brushing their teeth properly and regularly. Bacteria can live on plaque, causing bad breath and increasing the risk of cavities.
Now you know what causes your child to experience bad breath. It is time to know what you can do to cure bad breath in kids. There are a number of great remedies that you can start using today to cure bad breath and improve your kid’s overall dental health.
- Use Mouthwash
Brushing and flossing cannot get rid of everything in the mouth that can sit around and cause bad breath. Teach your kids to properly swish around and gargle mouthwash to get rid of what is left behind.
Your kids should use mouthwash at the end of their dental routine. For example, they should floss, brush and then use their mouthwash. This ensures the cleanest mouth possible. Of course, make sure that you get a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol so that it does not burn your child’s mouth when they use it.
When your kid uses their mouthwash, make sure that they swish it around their total mouth.
Young children do not need to gargle yet and it may be too difficult for them.
In general, you want to teach your kids to gargle once they reach about 10 years old. After your child uses their mouthwash, they should do a quick rinse with water.
Make sure that your child never swallows mouthwash and explain to them that this is because they want to get the bacteria and particles out of their mouth and body.
Most kids find bacteria gross, so this helps them to learn to spit it out.
You can also have your child use ACT Kids Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash. It has a great kid-friendly flavor and it kills the germs that can worsen your kid’s breath. Having dental hygiene products that are designed for kids ensures that they will use them.
In my previous article I talked about how to choose the best mouthwash for your kid. You can have a look at that article too.
- Clean the Tongue
A lot of bacteria sits on the tongue throughout the day and the tongue is porous, so it can trap bacteria and food particles. While standard dental hygiene that includes brushing and using mouthwash helps a lot, you really need to help your kids to take it a step further.
A basic tongue scraper gets what brushing and rinsing cannot, ensuring a totally clean mouth. Since the tongue gets extra clean, this will take care of any bad breath that has resulted from the tongue holding onto bacteria.
With younger children, you should help them use the tongue cleaner. It is easy and it involves simply placing the scraper and then dragging it forward.
Your child should rinse their mouth with mouthwash afterward to get rid of any particles or bacteria that are now loose and left behind. Clean the tongue scraper well in between uses using an alcohol-based mouthwash.
Dry it thoroughly after cleaning it and store it in a dry place so that you do not have to worry about any bacteria accumulating on it in between the times your child uses it.
Bacteria can build up on the tongue and most kids do not brush their tongue.
MasterMedi Tongue Cleaner makes removing the offending bacteria easy for kids.
See also: How to brush and clean your tongue?
- Probiotic Supplement
There is healthy bacteria all throughout your body that is critical for your overall health. You need to support this bacteria so that it can thrive and keep your child’s health in good standing.
There are a number of probiotic supplements that are designed for kids. These ensure that kids have all of the healthy bacteria that they need to be well.
These supplements come in fun flavors and options like chewable probiotics and gummy probiotics. They taste like candy, so your child will look forward to taking them.
Make sure to completely read the administration and dosage instructions on the bottle. You can also talk to your child’s dentist or pediatrician to get a recommendation.
You want to use a high-quality supplement and use it correctly to ensure safety and the most efficacy.
Making sure that your child’s mouth has adequate healthy bacteria is critical for keeping bad breath under control. Probiotics for Oral & Dental Health is exactly what your child needs. It targets bad breath directly where it is coming from and your kids will find this quick and easy to take too.
- Floss Completely
Flossing is really important and it is something that young children often struggle with. You should teach your kids how to floss as soon as they are able to hold a floss stick. Before this, you should be flossing for them even if they protest it.
When it comes to kids, using a floss stick makes it a lot easier for your child to get to the teeth in the back of their mouth.
Your child should floss as the first step in their daily dental hygiene routine. This removes everything from between the teeth so that it is not able to build up and cause bad breath and cavities.
Brush and then use mouthwash after flossing.
- Use a High-Quality Toothbrush
Picking out your child’s toothbrush is something that you definitely want to put some thought into. You have to make sure that it is a toothbrush that your child wants to use, plus it must be a toothbrush that provides an effective clean.
Ideally, you will look at toothbrushes that work for the age of your child. For example, you want a smaller and softer toothbrush head for younger children so that it properly fits in their mouth. If a toothbrush is not comfortable, your child is not as likely to use it on a regular basis. Lastly, the toothbrush should be one that your child can easily hold and handle.
When it comes to brushing their teeth, your kids must do this at least twice daily. The best way to help them remember is to have them brush their teeth after breakfast and right before going to bed.
You should help your younger children so that you can be sure that they brush all of their teeth thoroughly. You can choose a toothpaste that puts a coloring on the teeth. Your child then knows that they need to brush the coloring away to get a complete clean. This helps to teach kids the proper way to brush at a young age.
It is a proven fact that a fun toothbrush will encourage your kids to brush on a regular schedule.
Get one with your kid’s favorite character or a fun color to help with your kid’s dental health. You can rest assured that your kids will definitely brush their teeth with a toothbrush like this.
- Add Herbs to Foods
Certain herbs are known for helping to improve breath and kill bad bacteria in the mouth. When you are making meals for your family, add the following fresh herbs to help with your child’s breath:
- Parsley
- Mint
- Basil
- Cilantro
These herbs help to neutralize bad odors because they contain chlorophyll. These herbs are flavorful, but not terribly potent, so most kids will eat them without protesting too much.
- Eat More Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are an excellent source of citric acid. Citrus fruits also contain a number of nutrients that will improve your child’s overall health and help to protect their teeth and gums. Since fruits are naturally sweet, most kids are happy to eat them every day. The following citrus fruits work to fight bad breath:
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Limes
- Strawberries
- Grapefruit
- Mandarins
- Tangerines
Having a serving of citrus fruits after a meal helps to remove any bacteria that may build up after eating. It is also a healthy dessert option.
- Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is critical for your child’s overall health, but drinking plenty of water will also help to keep your child’s breath fresh.
Ask your pediatrician how much water your child needs to drink per day since this is dependent on your kid’s age, size and general health. Get them a cool water bottle so that they enjoy carrying it around.
If your kid does not like to drink plain water, add some citrus fruits to the mix. This is a win-win because your child is getting fruits and citrus fruits also help to fight against bad breath.
Choose a mouthwash that your kids will look forward to using. A bright color and a kid-friendly flavor are sure to ensure that your kids look forward to dental hygiene.
- Add Cinnamon
Cinnamon is sweet and something that almost every child will enjoy. It contains an oil that is referred to as cinnamic aldehyde.
This reduces the bacteria that is present in the mouth to kill the bad breath source. It also disguises bad breath, making this a great option that will tackle this problem in two ways.
You can add some cinnamon to your child’s foods, such as cereal, peanut butter and oatmeal. This is perfect first thing in the morning because you can help to ensure that your child has good breath throughout the day.
Thank you for reading this long article, here are 3 BONUS proven way that will help your kids to cure bad breath:
- Lemon Juice Rinse
If you want something natural that will help to freshen your kid’s breath throughout the day, you can make a lemon juice rinse. Take a cup of cool water and a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. You should only use the juice from a fresh lemon for this to ensure the most benefit. When your child’s breath could use freshening up, have them swish this mixture in their mouth for about 15 seconds to kill the bad oral bacteria.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, like lemon juice, is another option to make a natural mouth rinse. Take a full glass of water and add one tablespoon of the vinegar. This will quickly eliminate bad breath when used as a rinse.
You can add a little baking soda to your child’s favorite toothpaste to strengthen its ability to fight bad breath. Just sprinkle the powder on the toothpaste after putting it on the brush. Your child just has to brush as normal to reap the benefits.
Keeping bad breath in check is important and a Bad Breath Checker can help. This is something your kids will not forget to use either, making it an excellent part of any childhood dental routine.
As you can see, bad breath in kids is something that you can easily get under control.
Pick up some dental hygiene products that your kids will enjoy using and mix this with a number of home remedies that are proven to work. This will work to cure bad breath in kids and help your kids to achieve and maintain optimal oral health.
In addition to much better breath, this means that your kids will also face fewer cavities and other dental issues that can eventually impact their overall health and result in the need for costly treatments.
