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[B79]Bad Breath In Children

by Peter Stewart, Pet

Depending on their age, children can have a habit of putting things up their noses, which may become lodged and lead to bad breath. It's not unusual for children to poke small objects into their mouths and noses. If there is a suspicion of this, it is probably best to allow a doctor to probe and remove the foreign object. There may be an indicator of this activity if there is a discharge from the nose. It's also been reported that small swallowed objects can become lodged in the passages and cause bad breath.

The habit of oral hygiene needs to be instilled in children while they are growing up. It's fairly well established that children are not necessarily fastidious in keeping their teeth and mouths clean, and the presence of old food may provide a good breeding ground for the bacteria that cause decomposition and smelly breath. Children should always be encouraged and taught to maintain the highest standards of oral hygiene, as this is a habit that they will carry with them through their lives.

When considering a case of chronic bad breath in children, the usual factors that create the problem in adults should not be ignored. These would include dry mouth, which creates an environment conducive to the bacteria flourishing. While it should be expected that children would not be so prone to bad breath from chewing tobacco, or from drinking alcohol, they are more prone to diseases that affect the saliva glands, and to getting respiratory or throat and mouth infections. These in themselves may cause direct odor, and they will also aggravate the problem by causing mouth breathing and drying out.

Post nasal drip is a particular problem found in young children which can cause bad breath. The bacteria causing the smelly breath tend to be at home on the back of the tongue, and this is exactly where the nasal drip concentrates. The nasal drip itself is a chemical compound that is reported from research to act as a fuel to the bacteria. It contains protein made up of amino acids that are broken down to hydrogen sulfide and other smells.

If it appears that your child has a persistent bad breath problem, it would be wise to consult your physician for assistance in diagnosing and curing the issue.

One reason most of us wake up with bad breath is that our mouths have been closed and sealed off from a fresh supply of oxygen. For the same reason, you may have bad breath if you haven't talked or eaten in a while. Low salivary flow is same like that in people with Xerostomia, or dry mouth that can also be a factor.

Sluggish saliva gives bacteria a chance to feed on peptides and proteins. One thing that can help prevent bad breath is acidic saliva, because the bacteria responsible for bad breath prefer alkaline saliva. So, while eating sweets is bad for your teeth, it might be good for bad breath because glucose makes saliva acidic.

Emergence of bad breath among infants
About 90% of bad breath comes from oral bacteria, but there are other causes. Tonsillitis and sinusitis are occasional culprits. On rare occasions, respiratory tract tumors can be a source. Just how often-gastrointestinal problems cause bad breath is up for question.

Some experts say that the thin, tube-like esophagus that carries food from the mouth to the stomach is normally collapsed. So smelly gas from a bad stomach couldn't escape. That doesn't preclude foul-smelling belches, however. Fetor hepaticus, or liver breath, is the term for bad breath peculiar to people with cirrhosis, a kind of liver disease. If bad breath persists, the culprit may be certain foods, tobacco, a sinus infection, or gum disease.

Conclusion
If one thinks that the problem may be a sinus infection, see a doctor. And if it's gum disease, a periodontist can help recommend a course of action. Diuretics, antihistamines, and some antidepressants can cause bad breath. If one takes these drugs, keep breath mints on hand.

Rinsing, flossing, and brushing your teeth, gums, inside cheeks, and hard palate can eliminate morning breath. One should use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fine, unwaxed floss. Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) occurs when the muscle surrounding the outlet from the stomach becomes overgrown and obstructs the passage of food into the intestines.

The condition, which generally arises in the first three to five weeks of life, causes projectile vomiting. This can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances that affect kidney function. In most cases, good professional oral care combined with a daily regimen of oral hygiene including interdentally cleaning, deep tongue cleaning and optional use of an efficacious mouth rinse, will lead to improvement.

Article Source : Cause Of Bad Breath

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