Halitosis is a definition that doctors traditionally apply to such a thing as bad breath in a child. The effect is observed not only among adolescents whose body undergoes cardinal age-related changes. Often, parents notice that a bad breath appears in a child at 3 years old. The causes of trouble can be very different. The presence of any diseases is far from always to blame. Why is the problem noted? What should an adult do if the child is 1 year old and smells bad from his mouth? We will tell about this in our publication.
Changes in saliva composition
As the famous doctor Komarovsky notes, a child smells badly from his mouth due to a violation of the natural composition of saliva. As a result of such processes, the reproduction of a whole mass of pathogenic bacteria is noted. Microorganisms clog local tissues with their own waste products. In particular, the oral cavity is enveloped by sulfur components. It is this element that causes the appearance of a fetid odor.
When saliva is separated in normal amounts, and the composition of the secretion is not subjected to pathological changes, the bacteria literally have a paralytic effect. It becomes difficult for microorganisms to reproduce in large quantities. If malfunctions are observed, not only the oral cavity of the child is affected, but also the sinuses of the nose, bronchi, and larynx.
To ensure normalization of the composition of saliva, Dr. Komarovsky recommends periodically giving the baby drink warm water with a small amount of dissolved citric acid. A good alternative is a non-gas mineral water diluted with lemon juice. Due to the creation of an acidic environment in the oral cavity, taste buds will come in tone. The answer to irritation will be the active production of saliva. Sometimes a baby just needs to show sliced lemon. If a child has previously tried sour fruit, saliva will begin to separate reflexively.
Diseases of the nose
Pathologies of the nasopharynx are a fairly common cause. The child smells badly from the mouth as a result of the defeat of the maxillary sinuses. There may be an accumulation of an abundance of purulent masses that cause the appearance of a fetid odor. A similar nuisance is observed in the case of angina, when the tissues of the tonsils and larynx become inflamed. When the sinuses are blocked, the baby has to breathe through the mouth. Purulent secrets accumulate in significant quantities, since there is a favorable environment for the reproduction of microbes.
Bad breath in a child can be due to the growth of adenoids. Parents should notice the difficulties that arise in the baby when breathing through the nose. The habit of absorbing air through the mouth is one of the signs of the growth of pathological tissues in the sinuses. The specifics of eliminating adenoids are determined by the attending physician. At the mild stages of the development of the disease, they resort to nasal instillations with moisturizing and anti-inflammatory compounds, the use of vitamins and minerals. Adenoids in the later stages, as a rule, are removed in a medical institution by surgical methods.
Inhibition of the liver
Why does a child smell badly from his mouth? If an aroma resembling ammonia is felt, the nuisance indicates impaired liver function. Malfunctions in the work of the body cause a decrease in metabolism in the child's body. The result is an excess of proteins, which the baby absorbs with food. Insufficient splitting of these elements causes the appearance of an unpleasant ammonia odor.
Gum and tooth diseases
The presence of dental ailments is a fairly common explanation why a child smells badly from his mouth. If the baby does not eat foods with a strong aroma, such as garlic, fish, onions, but the parents observe a bad smell from the oral cavity, then it is time to make an appointment with a dentist. Otherwise, the likelihood of developing caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, pulpitis, and other unpleasant consequences increases.
Usually, after a quality treatment of dental diseases, an unpleasant aroma leaves without a trace. To avoid the return of the problem, it is useful to rinse the mouth with decoctions of medicinal plants, as well as compounds that strengthen tooth enamel.
Stomatitis
Often the child smells badly from the mouth due to the development of stomatitis. The progress of the disease is accompanied not only by the formation of a repulsive aroma, but also by the appearance of ulcers, inflammation and redness on the mucous membranes. It will not be difficult for parents to recognize stomatitis in their own child. The baby will complain about discomfort in the oral cavity, will become capricious, and may refuse to eat. Whitish papules will appear on the lips, tongue, inner walls of the cheeks.
If a one-year-old child smells badly from the mouth, and the phenomenon is accompanied by the formation of ulcers, the most likely cause is the development of herpes or candidiasis. Older babies are more prone to stomatitis of aphthous and allergic nature. Treatment should be entrusted exclusively to a doctor who will determine the specific type of ailment and prescribe appropriate medications. When a child has a bad breath due to the appearance of stomatitis, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic drugs, antifungal drugs are usually prescribed.
Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract
Failures in the work of the digestive tract can be noted as another reason. It smells badly in a child at 4 years old quite often as a result of the appearance of prerequisites for the development of gastritis. In some cases, dysbiosis occurs. Helminths can multiply the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity in a baby. These troubles are usually accompanied by the occurrence of heartburn, discomfort in the abdominal cavity, frequent belching, bouts of nausea and vomiting, and other symptoms of this nature.
If a child has a malfunction in the digestive system, which is complemented by a repulsive breath, parents should not delay visiting a doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable here. The kid must pass a standard set of tests, undergo an ultrasound of the pancreas and liver. In special cases, the doctor may order a stomach endoscopy.
Quality oral care
If the child has a bad breath from 3 years of age or older, parents should monitor their baby for regular brushing. Children do not like to perform a rather unpleasant procedure. That is why over time, the formation of caries and the occurrence of problems with the state of the gums are noted. Parents need to ensure that the child brushes his teeth and rinses his mouth every time after eating, especially if sweet desserts were served on the table.
The bulk of pathogenic bacteria, due to which they smell badly from the child’s mouth, live on the mucous membranes of the cheeks and on the tongue. Evidence of a significant multiplication of microorganisms is the appearance of a characteristic yellowish plaque. If the baby's age allows, dentists recommend using a brush that has a corrugated back surface to care for the oral cavity.
In order to brush their teeth, the child should choose a paste with an intense aroma. At the same time, it is important to abandon the use of rinsing agents that contain alcohol components. Since these substances dry the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
It is useful to change the toothbrush used by the child approximately every 2-3 months. Over time, the surfaces of the hygiene product themselves become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause an unpleasant odor. It is useful to use dental floss when caring for the oral cavity.
Drinking plenty of water
If the child smells badly at the age of 4, parents should use the proven formula: the more the baby drinks fluids, the better. Children should drink clean still water. Sweet drinks should be completely excluded from the diet. Sugar not only creates fertile soil for the propagation of pathogenic bacteria on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, but also destroys fragile tooth enamel. In case of bad breath, the child should drink several glasses of quality water throughout the day.
Chewing gum
Usually parents do not allow babies to use chewing gums. The solution seems understandable if the product contains an abundance of sugar. The use of unsweetened products, according to doctors, is a good way to moisturize the oral cavity. During chewing, the work of the salivary glands is activated. The latter produce an abundance of secretion that prevents bacteria from multiplying on the mucous membranes. Accordingly, chewing gum without sugar will help eliminate bad breath in a child.
Absorption of oral cleansing oils
In order to combat odors from the oral cavity, older children can offer the following remedy. Several times a day, you should use a dessert spoon of sunflower, olive, rapeseed or linseed oil. The substance must rinse your mouth for 5-10 minutes, and then spit. The procedure will help remove pathogens from the surface of the cheeks, gums, teeth and tongue.
Eating Berries and Fruits
A good addition to the above methods of combating bad breath in children is to eat fresh foods rich in liquid and acids. We are talking about apples, carrots, cucumbers, celery. They act like a toothbrush, removing particles of rotting food that gets stuck between the teeth from the oral cavity.
Eliminate the problem will help the use of berries. Cranberries are perfect. It is useful from time to time to drink tea, prepared on the basis of dried rosehips. You can bet on the infusion of strawberries. It is enough to brew a few tablespoons of such berries in boiled water. To offer a healing composition to a child should be a quarter cup 2-3 times a day.
Infusion of oak bark
The infusion of oak bark allows you to get rid of the bad smell from the oral cavity in a child when the trouble is provoked by stomatitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis. Prepare a tool is not difficult. You should take a tablespoon of crushed product and pour a glass of boiled water. The composition must be allowed to cool to room temperature. Rinse the child with a mouth cavity for 10 minutes daily.
Chewing fresh herbs
According to dentists, chewing parsley or mint leaves is a safe method to combat the appearance of bad breath in children. These plants are rich in chlorophyll, which breaks down sulfur compounds that act as a source of fetid odor. After the procedure, the child should rinse his mouth with clean water.
Finally
As you can see, bad breath in children is not always a sign of the development of pathologies. Usually there is absolutely nothing to treat here. The main thing is to correct the diet, regularly brush your teeth, and timely eliminate the inflammatory processes that affect the nasopharynx. It is important to provide the baby with plenty of drink, periodically see a doctor to check the condition of adenoids.