Bad breath in children: what's the cause and what can you do?

Enjoying a cosy cuddle with your child when you suddenly get a whiff of something unpleasant? My child has bad breath – is that normal? Parents ask themselves this question as soon as they notice more frequent episodes. The causes of bad breath in children are just as varied as in adults. A visit to the paediatric dentist can often help.

In this blog article you will learn …

• … what causes bad breath in babies and children
• … which home remedies help
• … when you should see a (dental) doctor

According to statistics, about 15% of children in Switzerland occasionally suffer from bad breath. Whether it’s acetone or foul breath – there are different bad breath smells in children. This can provide an initial indication of the cause.

Does your child have bad breath? Then have a look at their daily tooth brushing routine first. Food leftovers between teeth or on the tongue create the perfect environment for bacteria. These decompose food residues and produce foul-smelling sulphur compounds.

Other causes of bad breath in children:

• Does your child drink too little or sleep with their mouth open? Dry mucous membranes can cause bad breath.
• If your child’s breath smells, it might trigger a cold or inflammation of the sinuses or tonsils.
• In rare cases, bad breath in children may indicate diabetes mellitus or liver disease. Allergies or food intolerances are more common causes.

If your toddler has bad breath, this is often due to milk. A baby or toddler’s mouth usually smells rather sour, almost like gone-off milk. In their first few months, babies drink only (breast) milk. This is made of protein, which bacteria in the mouth feed on. So a slightly sour milk odour is normal.

If your infant has bad breath and frequently snores, this is due to dry mucous membranes. A different sleeping position may help, as may drinking enough in the morning.

We’ll find the cause so your child can breathe freely again. We work closely with your paediatrician as required.

Make an appointment for your child directly:

There are a few home remedies that help children and adults alike with occasional bad breath. These include lemons or fennel tea:

• Lemon is a natural antiseptic and disinfects the oral cavity.
• Fennel tea strengthens the immune system.

If your children have dry mucous membranes in particular, you should remind them to drink throughout the day.

Sugar and bad breath in children

Sweets and snacks can damage healthy teeth and cause bad breath. Bacteria love sugar. If your child is reluctant to brush their teeth, these bacteria will multiply rapidly. Bad breath can be an indication of hidden inflammation or tooth decay. Visiting the paediatric dentist and having low-sugar foods may help here.

If your child’s bad breath doesn’t disappear within a few days, you should see a doctor. Please make an appointment with us, too, if your child suffers frequently from bad breath:

• Recurring bad breath can have various causes.
• The cause of bad breath is usually in the mouth.
• If it is the tonsils or an infection, we work closely with your paediatrician.

Bad breath in children even though they brush their teeth

Proper dental care for children is important for preventing tooth damage, inflammation and bad breath. This is often hard amidst the everyday busyness of life, especially if your child is reticent about brushing their teeth. Improper or superficial dental care can lead to harmful bacteria multiplying.

At our practice in Egerkingen, we take time over your child. Our dental hygienists and preventive care assistants will patiently show your child how to make brushing their teeth fun as well as effective.

We assist your whole family with their dental care. Find out more about our services for your children here:

Your paediatric dentist in Egerkingen

Or make an appointment directly: