Bad breath in children: causes. Why does the child smell bad from the mouth: causes, treatment and prevention of bad breath The child smells from the mouth

Usually children smell very nice, especially their own - any parent will confirm this to you. But it often happens that suddenly, in the absence of any obvious illness, an unpleasant pungent odor begins to be felt from the child’s mouth. Why is this happening? And does this smell from the child's mouth indicate the development of some serious infection? And most importantly, what worries parents - how to get rid of such a problem?

A sharp bad breath, including in a child, is called halitosis (or halitosis) in the language of medical terms. Alas, it can be observed in children of any age (sometimes even in infants), and, accordingly, cause a “bouquet” of feelings and worries in parents. What if the really sharp nasty smell from the mouth of a child is a sign of a serious illness?

Causes of bad breath in children

Where does bad breath come from? Doctors have found out that the main "producers" of the unbearable sulfur-ammonia "ambre" are special bacteria, the very essence of whose existence is to break down the proteins we get from food.

Moreover, this act of splitting takes place in us, people, both adults and children, already directly in the mouth. Actually, this is the first step on the way along the long digestive tract. In the process of splitting, some sulfur-containing compounds are inevitably formed, which, in fact, exude a terrible smell.

However, nature foresaw this moment and added a special component to human saliva (namely, a specific type of streptococcus), which, in theory, should neutralize the unbearable “aroma” of sulfur. But in practice, quite often there are plenty of examples when this does not happen. Usually for two reasons:

  • Or there is too little saliva in the mouth;
  • Or there are too many bacteria in the mouth that break down proteins (and there are too many of them when they have something to eat - that is, when food residues or dried mucus constantly accumulate in the mouth).

In adults, there may also be a third explanation - there is enough saliva in the mouth, but it lacks the same "sanitary" streptococcus. However, this reason for bad breath is not related to children - their saliva always has the “correct” composition.

So, the problem of bad smell is always associated with saliva. And attempts to “tie” bad breath in a child to problems with the stomach, gallbladder or intestines are completely unfounded. The problem of bad breath in the mouth concerns only the oral (well, sometimes also the nasal) cavity and is exclusively limited to it.

Factors that contribute to the occurrence of an unpleasant odor in a child:

  • Dry air in the room where the child lives;
  • The child actively moves and sweats a lot (which also contributes to drying out in the mouth);
  • Any (during any cold, or the airways dry out and an excess amount of mucus is formed in them - on the one hand, these are additional proteins for bacteria, during the breakdown of which sulfur compounds are formed, on the other, an obstacle to the "work" of salivary streptococcus);
  • Any chronic inflammation in the airways (whether it is, or, or);
  • Bad teeth with signs of caries or periodontal disease;
  • (in which there is also an accumulation of excess mucus from the nasal and oral cavities);

Bad breath in a child: a symptom of the disease or the wrong menu?

In reality, it's neither! The smell from the mouth has nothing to do with digestion, or with any infections, and indeed with nothing, except for the condition of the oral mucosa.

So, in almost 100% of cases, when a child smells bad from the mouth (up to 13-14 years old), this has nothing to do with any serious illness. Moreover, this phenomenon has nothing to do with any other area of ​​the child's body, except for the oral and nasal cavities. Parents, do not be alarmed: no matter how sharp and bad the child suddenly smells from the mouth, everything is still fine with the gastrointestinal tract system. The reason for "ambre" should be sought exclusively in the mouth, or in extreme cases - in the nose.

So if you went to the doctor with the problem of bad breath in a child, and he prescribed you a “bouquet” of tests (requiring you to study feces, urine, blood - whatever), this doctor, to put it mildly, is mistaken. Everything that is “produced” by the body below the level of the mouth, in this case, it is completely pointless to study.

It is only necessary to find out one thing - why does the baby develop bacteria that should normally be suppressed by the components of saliva? Perhaps there is not enough saliva ... Or perhaps there are too many bacteria (for example, if the teeth are rotten). It is also possible that the child's adenoids are inflamed - mucus accumulates on them and, being subjected to the process of decay, is a source of an unpleasant odor.

How to eliminate bad breath in a child

To eliminate bad breath in a child, two main problems must be solved: eliminate problems with the teeth (if any) and restore salivation. To do this, do the following:

  • periodically give the child to drink water with lemon;
  • organize a humid climate in the room (air humidity should be in the range of 60-70%);
  • check the condition of the teeth at the dentist;
  • if the nose does not breathe - rinse the nose with saline solution (and do this several times during the day);
  • check with an otorhinolaryngologist the condition of the child's adenoids;

So, by and large, contrary to the popular belief of parents, a child’s bad or pungent breath is not a medical problem - there is not much to treat here. The only thing to do is to check the condition of the baby’s teeth and tongue (whether food remains accumulate there), check if there is an inflammatory process in the throat, and finally find out if the child’s nose is breathing normally.

If the baby has complete order on all these points, then the humid climate in the house will definitely help to solve the problem of bad breath, which will restore proper salivation in the child and prevent the mucous membrane from drying out. That, in fact, is all the wisdom of dealing with an unpleasant odor!

Bad breath from a baby can occur for a variety of reasons, from stress to diseases of the digestive system. Most often, halitosis in children occurs due to untimely brushing of teeth, excessive dryness in the mouth and nose, after cleansing and moisturizing it disappears. If the child constantly smells from the mouth, you should immediately consult a doctor. Ozostomy (as doctors call halitosis) can be the first sign of a serious illness, parents should not take this symptom lightly. It is advisable to contact the dentist, check the condition of the teeth and gums of the crumbs. If a unpleasant symptom not gone, contact your pediatrician, do general analysis blood, depending on its results, contact narrow specialists.

The smell from the mouth of a child can indicate a variety of diseases.

Specific pungent odor

Parents should be alarmed by the specific smell from the baby's mouth, which does not go away after hygiene procedures. Limit your baby's intake of sweets, heavy protein foods, provide him with plenty of fluids. Usually, after these events, children's halitosis disappears.

Below we will tell you which smells should cause an instant reaction from parents.

Acetone (vinegar, solvent)

The smell of acetone or a chemical solvent emanating from an infant, especially against a background of elevated temperature, should cause maximum concern to parents. It appears with acetonemic syndrome - a dangerous condition that is quite common in children of different ages. If you suspect its occurrence, you must immediately call an ambulance, before the arrival of doctors, solder the baby with boiled water often and in small quantities (a teaspoonful).

A slight acetone smell can be a sign of kidney disease, malfunction of the pancreas, helminthiasis (worms), dysbacteriosis, diabetes. In any case, it is advisable to immediately consult a doctor.

Putrefactive

Appears with insufficient oral hygiene, the occurrence of ENT diseases (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, in parallel, the child has a white tongue, a stuffy nose, a cough appears), stomatitis, caries, low acidity of the stomach (the baby often has a stomach ache), the presence of diseases of the esophagus . You should contact a dentist, ENT, gastroenterologist, systematically brush your teeth with a children's toothbrush and paste, and provide a drinking regimen.

Purulent

A sharp purulent smell accompanies chronic inflammation and proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the baby's nasopharynx. The tonsils are covered with a purulent coating, plugs are formed that exude an unpleasant odor. The child has a high temperature, plaque on the throat, runny nose, lined tongue. See your pediatrician for antibiotic treatment. After recovery, the breath will again become fresh.

Another reason for bad breath against the background of abundant release of dense yellowish snot may be the presence of some object in the baby's nostril. Contact the ENT to examine your baby's nose.

Sourish

If the baby has a sour breath, this may signal an increase in acidity, an inflammatory process in the stomach. It is necessary to contact a gastroenterologist, check the crumbs for the presence of gastritis. The second reason for bad breath is reflux, or the ingress of gastric juice into the baby's esophagus. In this case, the patient suffers from heartburn, pain in the hypochondrium.

Sweetish

Does the baby have a sugary sweet smell from the mouth? There are reasons to assume the presence of problems with the liver. It is important to promptly visit a gastroenterologist - a symptom occurs with hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver.

Chemical

If the peanut smells of chemistry, it is advisable to check the condition of the digestive organs, especially the gallbladder, this symptom is characteristic of biliary dyskinesia.

Chlorine

The specific smell of chlorine with an admixture of metal notes appears with increased bleeding of the gums and periodontal disease. Contact your dentist and check the condition of your baby's teeth and gums.

Yoda

The appearance of the smell of iodine is a reason to urgently contact an endocrinologist, as it may indicate an excess of iodine that accumulates in the body of a baby. Such a condition can occur after a long stay at sea, after taking iodine preparations, in the presence of a pathology of the thyroid gland. In infants, an iodine shade appears when infected with Klebsiella, a bacterium that enters the child's body with unwashed fruits and affects the stomach and intestines.

Bile

If a newborn smells of bile from the mouth, this may indicate a poor outflow of bile. Consult a doctor, do an ultrasound of the abdominal organs, pass general tests.

Gland

The presence of a metallic taste and smell of iron from the baby's mouth can signal the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia. You should take a blood test to determine the level of hemoglobin, when confirming the diagnosis, take vitamin complexes with a high iron content.

The second reason is the presence of gastritis, high acidity, dysbacteriosis, diseases gastrointestinal tract.

Urine

The ammonia smell speaks of kidney pathologies, as well as diabetes. The reason for its appearance is a decrease in insulin levels, a violation of carbohydrate metabolism.

Cala

It is extremely rare. It is mainly associated with poor heredity, appears with metabolic disorders, sometimes accompanies acute intestinal dysbacteriosis. Diagnosed by an endocrinologist or gastroenterologist.

Rotten eggs

Belching, the smell of rotten eggs, white coating on the tongue are symptoms of gastritis, ulcers, liver diseases, and violations of the outflow of bile. Having found halitosis in a newborn and an older child, you should contact a gastroenterologist.

Yeast

If the baby smells of yeast, this is a reason to suspect the occurrence of candidiasis. Often a sick stomach is also expressed by a yeasty aroma. recognize true reason an experienced general practitioner will be able to, he will also refer you for examination if you suspect a disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

Strange smell from the mouth during SARS

During illness, acute respiratory viral infections, tonsillitis, especially in the presence of high temperature, parents notice that the smell emanating from the child's mouth has changed. Unpleasantly smelling pus covering the baby's tonsils, purulent sinusitis, the presence of an infection in the lung can provoke the appearance of halitosis, which disappears after the crumbs recover. Frequent rinsing of the oral cavity with antiseptic solutions contributes to a quick recovery and getting rid of halitosis.

Causes of halitosis in children

The appearance of halitosis in children of any age can be caused by a wide variety of reasons, ranging from poor oral hygiene to the presence of a foreign body in the nose. It is important to correctly diagnose, determine the true cause of ozostomy and, if possible, eliminate it.

Lack of moisture in the body

Causes increased saliva viscosity, worsening digestion, which can provoke the appearance of bad breath. The breast newborn receives the main liquid with mother's milk, in hot weather it is necessary to give boiled water to drink. A 4-5 year old kid should drink about 1.5 liters of fluid per day, not limited to juices and teas. It is important to give the peanut drink exactly drinking water, which helps to improve digestion.

Poor oral hygiene

With the appearance of the first tooth, the baby should be taught to hygienic procedures of the oral cavity. Children under two or three years of age should have their teeth cleaned by one of the parents. Starting from the age of three, the baby should be taught to brush their teeth properly on their own. Incorrect insufficient cleaning of plaque contributes to the appearance of halitosis, which disappears after a thorough cleaning of the teeth.

Improper nutrition

If a child systematically overeats, eats fatty fried foods, generously seasoned with onions and garlic, a heavy smell from the mouth will haunt him constantly. It is important to establish a baby's nutrition system according to his age-related needs, observing the drinking regimen.

Stressful situation

Strong emotional shock, stress, vivid emotions are a real test for a newborn. They cause dry mouth, which contributes to the occurrence of halitosis. In a stressful situation, it is necessary to give the child a drink of water or sour juice, suck on a slice of tangerine or lemon, such simple steps promote active salivation and make the child's breath clear and easy.

Bad smell in the morning

Babies may experience bad breath after sleeping. It is caused by the fact that at night during sleep, saliva is not secreted, bacteria multiply, provoking halitosis. It is enough to brush your teeth with a brush and paste - and the unpleasant phenomenon disappears on its own.

Chronic nasal congestion

If the baby's mouth smells of snot, you need to pay attention to the condition of the mucous membrane of the nose. In chronic rhinitis, nasal breathing is difficult, dry crusts form in the nasal passages. It is necessary to moisten the surface of the mucosa, monitor the humidity, ventilate the room well and carry out wet cleaning.

The presence of a foreign body in the nasal passages

A strong putrid odor against the background of thick yellow discharge from the nasal passages should alert. These symptoms are characteristic of a foreign object entering the nasal passages - beads, buttons, a piece of fruit. You should consult a doctor or emergency room as soon as possible to remove the foreign body. Otherwise, serious complications are possible, up to suffocation.

Diseases of the teeth and gums

Caries, stomatitis, gingivitis and other dental diseases can cause bad breath. A careful examination will reveal a carious focus in the baby's mouth. Even in the absence of visible damage to the tooth enamel, it is necessary to consult a dentist to exclude the presence of oral diseases.

Diseases of the upper respiratory tract

Angina, tonsillitis, adenoiditis, bronchitis provoke the occurrence of halitosis in children. The pus that accumulates on the surface of the tonsils, in the gaps, on the back of the throat smells unpleasant. It is necessary to treat the cause of the disease, rinse the neck with an antiseptic solution, in difficult cases, antibiotic therapy is necessary.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

When a solvent, sour milk, vinegar smells from the mouth of a little man, indigestion and diarrhea are observed, this indicates problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Consult with a gastroenterologist, sometimes it is enough to correct the diet of the crumbs, and the problem disappears without a trace. In more complex cases, special treatment is indicated.

Smell during teething

When teeth are cut in crumbs, temporary halitosis can be observed, caused by inflammation of the gums and the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria. The baby has red gums, painful and swollen. The dentist will advise special preparations that reduce the discomfort of the baby during teething.

Bad odor treatment

In most cases, ozostomy does not require special treatment. It is enough to systematically thoroughly brush your teeth and gums, review the nutrition system, limit the consumption of sweets, give him enough liquid per day, and the unpleasant symptom will disappear on its own. If after a few days it does not disappear, it is necessary to consult a specialist, undergo an examination and establish the cause of halitosis.

Of particular concern to parents should be the smell of acetone coming from the baby - in this case, it is urgent to call an ambulance or take the baby to the hospital in order to prevent the occurrence of acetone syndrome.

Preventive measures

To timely prevent the appearance of halitosis in your baby, you must follow a few simple rules:

  1. Thoroughly brush your baby's teeth twice a day, starting from the moment the first tooth erupts. It is necessary to teach the baby to use the brush and paste correctly, removing plaque from the surface of the teeth.
  2. Adhere to the age-related nutrition system, introduce vegetables, fruits, foods rich in phosphorus and calcium into the child's diet.
  3. Eliminate sugar, chocolate, other sweets from the diet, replace them with honey.
  4. Encourage your child to drink enough fluids, especially drinking water.
  5. Regularly visit the dentist to exclude the development of caries.

Any adult remembers how nice it smells from small children. Milk. It is lactic acid bacteria that work hard, which do not allow any microbes to develop in the baby's mouth. However, such an idyll does not always happen, the smell from the mouth of a child can be unpleasant. What is the reason for this, how to identify and eliminate the cause, we will try to figure it out. In general, caries is often considered the main cause of bad breath. But after all, such a nuisance also happens with babies (babies), who have no teeth yet. This means that there are many sources of bad smell, and today we will talk about the most common ones.

Causes of an unpleasant odor

It should be said right away that any person - an adult or a child - has a huge amount of bacteria in his mouth, most of which are not pathogenic. Pathogenic, or pathogenic, microorganisms, in the presence of conditions favorable for their development, multiply very quickly and cause in humans various diseases. As a result of a slight weakening of the immune system (as a result of medication, overwork or stress), pathogenic microbes are activated, causing the appearance of a bad smell.

Morning bad breath is also associated with bacteria. At night, saliva production is significantly reduced, which is an excellent opportunity for the reproduction of these microorganisms. Hence the unpleasant morning smell.

  • Food

Some types of food can spoil the freshness of breath for a long time. Eating foods with a strong and unpleasant odor invariably contributes to the appearance of bad breath in a child. These can definitely include:

  1. carbohydrate food, which causes the smell of decay due to its slow processing by the body.
  2. all kinds of fruits and vegetables that cause the fermentation process.
  3. onion and garlic.
  4. sugary foods that help pathogens multiply.
  5. foods that emit a specific odor when digested (corn or cheese, for example).
  • Insufficient hygiene

There is no need to prove anything here. Improper or insufficient oral hygiene will invariably cause bad breath.

Note that children need to brush not only their teeth, but also their tongues. In "toothy" kids, this can be done with a brush in the process of brushing your teeth, in infants - wipe with damp gauze or clean with a teaspoon.

Teach your child to properly brush their teeth, cleaning all the gaps between them, and rinse their mouth after eating.

  • Breathing through the mouth

For some reason, some babies are used to breathing through their mouths. Because of this, the oral mucosa dries out, which also causes an unpleasant odor. The fact is that saliva is able to destroy microbes, and its absence is a very favorable factor for the reproduction of bacteria. Insufficient saliva production can be a pathological condition of the body, and may also occur as a result of dehydration or taking certain medications.

  • Stress

Constant worries or being under stress can spoil the freshness of breath, because in such situations, saliva production decreases.

  • Not drinking enough

Oddly enough, this is one of the reasons for the appearance of a strong smell from the mouth of a child. By drinking enough liquid, your baby will rinse the mouth of food debris and improve the digestion process. Therefore, children older than one and a half years should drink about 1.5 liters of water per day. Note - it is pure, spring water, and not juices or compotes!

  • foreign body

Little explorers can stick anything up their noses. Before looking for the cause of a foul-smelling mouth in something else, check the baby's nose. It is possible that you will find a foreign body there, which caused the smell.

  • Disruption of the digestive system

Indigestion and increased gas formation can cause a peculiar smell in the child's mouth, because. gastric juice accumulates in the body and the level of acidity changes. In children, these problems most often occur during periods of growth: in girls it is 6-7 years old and 10-12 years old, in boys it is 4-6 years old and 13-16 years old.

  • Respiratory diseases

Tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils, tonsils) leads to the accumulation of actively multiplying pathogens, suppuration, mucus formation, and can often be accompanied by a very unpleasant odor.

Bronchitis. Accumulates in the bronchi and bronchioles a large number of sputum that comes out when coughing, which has an unpleasant odor.

A runny nose of an infectious or allergic nature is always accompanied by an abundant formation of purulent masses that decompose under the action of bacteria and have an extremely unpleasant odor.

Bad smell as a symptom of the disease

Bad breath can indicate the presence of certain diseases that have not yet manifested themselves in another way.

  • Rotten smell

Inflammation of the stomach in most cases accompanies a rotten smell that appears in the mouth. The same smell can occur due to gastritis, problems with the esophagus, increased gas formation, dehydration in case of intestinal upset.

The smell of rotten eggs accompanies various liver diseases.

  • Sour smell

If your stomach is too acid, your baby will exude a sour smell from his or her mouth. An acidic smell may also indicate such a nuisance as the release of gastric juice into the esophagus.

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  • The smell of rot

First on the list, of course, is caries. But bad breath can appear as a result of such diseases as: periodontal disease, stomatitis, tonsillitis, periodontitis, herpes, pharyngitis and others.

This smell is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the oral cavity or mucus in the nasopharynx. A plaque on the tongue can also exude a bad smell, the cause of which can only be found out by a specialist.

The child may smell of rot and during a runny nose. The reason is simple - the same overdried mouth (after all, the nose is stuffed up, we breathe incorrectly) and the mucus that has accumulated in the nose.

Inflammation of the adenoids often accompanies the smell of pus. Tonsils (tonsils) can accumulate food debris in their folds, which also invariably leads to a bad smell.

A rotten smell comes from the baby and with low acidity of the stomach.

  • Sweet smell

Food rich in starch, taking antibiotics, radiation therapy, and a temporary decrease in immunity can cause a fungal infection (candidiasis or), which manifests itself as white spots in the mouth. The smell in this case will be sweetish.

The sweet smell of raw liver is a sign of hepatitis or cirrhosis. The liver in a child smells from the mouth and in other pathological conditions of this organ.

  • Ammonia smell

The smell of urine is an absolutely unpleasant phenomenon, but it can indicate existing problems with the kidneys. The stronger the smell, the more problems have accumulated in the body of the baby. There is such a smell because the function of the kidneys is impaired, and they are unable to remove waste products in full.

  • The smell of iodine

The smell of iodine from the mouth is observed in those babies whose body is oversaturated with this trace element. This may be due to a long stay by the sea, for example. Sometimes iodine odors in the mouth are caused by the high sensitivity of the child's body to this substance or its intolerance. In any case, your child's breathing should be the main reason for a complete thyroid exam.

  • Acetone smell

Often, colds are accompanied by the smell of acetone from the mouth in children. The same smell occurs with diabetes mellitus, acetone syndrome and thyroid problems. You need to see a doctor.

  • Other scents

Various "inhabitants" inhabiting the child's body can also cause bad breath. Here we mean pinworms, roundworms and Giardia.
Even a metabolic disorder in the body can ruin a child's breathing. With such disorders from the mouth, the crumbs will winnow boiled cabbage or even manure.

Ways to get rid of bad odor

First of all, the child needs to be examined (visit an ENT doctor, dentist, pediatrician) in order to exclude or confirm the presence of any of the diseases listed above. In this case, measures to eliminate bad breath will be reduced to treating the disease.

If foul-smelling breath is not associated with a disease, then you must first eliminate the irritant and teach the baby the rules of oral care.

  • We follow the rules of hygiene

From an early age, teach your little one to brush their teeth twice a day. Rinsing the mouth after eating should also become a habit for the baby. For more pleasure, you can buy a “delicious” rinse for your child at the pharmacy or use decoctions of chamomile or sage. ( see article links above)

  • We limit sweet

We understand that for some this is almost impossible, but you need to try. After all, the “pleasantness” of your child’s breath depends on your perseverance, and there will be little chance for caries. This does not mean that the child should forget about sweets forever. Not at all. You just need to try to replace them with natural products.

For example, any candy can be replaced with honey (in the absence of a child, of course). Also, instead of sweets, you can offer the child fruits. Ordinary apples have excellent qualities for cleaning the oral cavity. In our case, any other sour fruits are also suitable, which increase the salivation process and help eliminate the nasty smell.

  • Drinking regime

It must be observed, and this is not discussed. Only here it is necessary to approach the choice of drinks with all responsibility. The diet of the child should be dominated by natural products - compotes, juices and tea. But it is best to use ordinary drinking water. Any carbonated drinks should be banned - they cause fermentation in the body and, accordingly, bad breath.

  • Psychological attitude

The problem of bad breath is very delicate and even painful for many children. It is important to create a positive attitude and focus on a good result. Explain to the baby that it is not he who is to blame for the problems, but the state of his body, and do not forget to mention the importance of brushing his teeth.

Try not to voice the problem in public, the child may have a complex or resentment towards you.

Now you know that the cause of bad breath in a child can be both a serious illness and completely harmless factors of a temporary nature. In any case, it is necessary to identify the "culprit" of the bad smell without delay and take timely measures to eliminate it. Remember that any problems in the baby's body, left unattended, will bring you and your baby a lot of problems in the future.

Video

Talks about the causes of the smell of a pediatrician, candidate of medical sciences, mother of three children Tatyana Prokofieva

Komarovsky tells

Well, for everyone, both children and adults, how to get rid of bad breath?

Article last updated: 03/25/2018

Children have an indescribable, delicious aroma that distinguishes them from adults. Infants have a sweet smell of milk, which remains in a child up to a year.

A one-year-old and older child also smells very nice. Loving mothers feel the smell of their babies especially and start to worry if something has suddenly changed in the usual ambergris. Bad breath in a child is also a concern.

Pediatrician

  1. Poor oral hygiene.
  2. Caries.
  3. Other diseases.

Poor oral hygiene

Food after eating is clogged in the spaces between the teeth, accumulates in the root zone and on uneven surfaces. And if it is not removed in time, it begins to decompose, exuding a fetid, rotten smell.

From an early age, the habit of brushing your teeth is laid. It will be great to carry out hygiene procedures together, setting a good example.

In order to get rid of food debris, it is recommended to rinse the mouth after eating with water or special mouthwashes. At least twice a day you need to brush your teeth with toothpaste and a brush.

Teeth brushing scheme

The cleaning process up to 6 years old must be supervised by adults!

The child should hold the brush correctly and direct the bristles from the roots to the tops. In addition to the teeth, it is also necessary to clean the inner surface of the cheeks, palate and tongue, as a large number of bacteria accumulate there.

The gaps between the teeth are held with a special thread to remove food debris that is inaccessible to a conventional toothbrush.

An infant's first tooth erupts at around 6 months of age. From this moment on, teeth are cleaned with a special silicone brush with a limiter or in the form of a fingertip.

Spending only 5 minutes of time in the morning and evening on the toilet of the child's oral cavity is not a problem.

Caries

Quite often, dental caries is accompanied by a putrid odor from the mouth. Three main causes of caries:

  • poor cleaning of the oral cavity;
  • malnutrition;
  • insufficient amount of saliva.

Hygiene is already clear. But what kind of food contributes to the formation of caries? Sweets of all varieties, seeds, sweet sparkling water.

Saliva also performs a mineralizing function, as it contains ionic compounds of calcium and phosphorus. Those, in turn, strengthen the enamel. Saliva also reduces acidity in the oral cavity, thereby protecting tooth enamel from destruction. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that its amount is normal.

In order to prevent the formation of caries and the smell of rot from the mouth, it is necessary to inspect and sanitize the child's oral cavity at least once a year. The first examination of the dentist is carried out at 10 months, when the baby can have from 2 to 6 teeth.

During childhood, saliva is produced in large quantities. Thanks to her, the oral cavity is constantly cleaned and does not allow bacteria to multiply. After all, it is the decay products of bacteria that have the smell of sulfur or ammonia.

It is because of dryness that an unpleasant smell from the mouth occurs in the baby.

Measures to prevent this situation are:

  • air humidification, ventilation;
  • ensuring normal breathing through the nasal passages;
  • to enhance salivation give water with lemon;
  • a child from 5 years old should drink about one and a half liters of water per day (especially in the summer);
  • exclude salty foods, be sure to give fresh fruits and vegetables (they also increase salivation).

Difficult nasal breathing associated with a runny nose or adenoids leads to dryness in the mouth with the consequences described above. The mucous contents from the nasopharynx enter the oral cavity, bringing in its composition harmful bacteria, which also worsen the flavor from the mouth.

Children with chronic tonsillitis are accompanied by a fetid spirit due to suppuration and plugs in the lacunae of the tonsils. Also, small children like to put various foreign bodies into their noses, which exude a fetid odor if they are not detected in time and stay in the nasal cavity for a long time.

All these conditions are a reason to visit an otorhinolaryngologist. Odor from the mouth in a child older than two years due to the presence of adenoids may require surgical treatment.

Other diseases

According to Dr. Komarovsky, breath smells due to the 4 factors described above, while other conditions and diseases have nothing to do with this. But still, you can argue with this.

  • smell of acetone or urine appears when high temperature and intoxication, dehydration.
  • sour smell curdled milk from the mouth occurs in infants when regurgitation. Most often, this phenomenon occurs in newborns or monthly children, since the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus is not sufficiently formed. Any overeating or discharge of gas from the stomach is accompanied by regurgitation. A sour aroma is still characteristic of babies suffering from gastritis and reflux esophagitis.
  • sweet smell- a feature in diseases of the liver and bile ducts.
  • the appearance of an unhealthy smell when breathing occurs in diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia).

Of course, parents will be alerted by the fact that a previously pleasant-smelling baby began to exude unpleasant odors. This is solved independently by ensuring proper hygiene, optimal drinking regimen and adequate air condition in the room.

Parents pay attention to any change in the behavior and health of their children. The smell from the mouth of the child and during the day also causes them bewilderment. This symptom may indicate a health problem, so the concern of dad and mom is sometimes justified.

Why do children have bad breath

is the medical term for bad breath. Bacteria are to blame for its appearance, which emit an unpleasant odor during the processing of protein foods. Regardless of age, this process occurs in the oral cavity. In the process of splitting, the production of compounds containing sulfur occurs. They are the ones that emit the stench.

Saliva can neutralize bad breath. But sometimes even a one-year-old child develops a small amount of saliva or too many bacteria that produce a special flavor.

The following causes of bad breath in a child are known:

  • increased sweating due to the fact that the baby moves a lot: it dries up in the oral cavity and an unpleasant “aroma” appears;
  • chronic disease of the bronchopulmonary system;
  • or gum disease;
  • dry air in the room where the child is located, that is, the room is ventilated very rarely or not ventilated at all.

In most cases, the main cause of bad breath is dental disease. To determine, you just need to carefully examine the baby's teeth. It is important to pay attention to the presence of flux,. The stench disappears after the elimination of problems with the teeth.

It is important to pay attention to exactly how the child smells bad:

  1. smell of ammonia may occur due to metabolic disorders, a large amount of proteins or the presence of gum disease. Sometimes this aroma appears due to the use of a large amount medicines. After the course of treatment, the smell is eliminated on its own.
  2. in the morning - a rather dangerous symptom. It may indicate the presence of diabetes or gallbladder disease. Sometimes such a symptom occurs with severe liver disease or exhaustion of the body.
  3. pungent odor. The reason may be dysbacteriosis. It often occurs after the use of antibiotics. The recovery process is long. It is necessary to take special dietary supplements.
  4. The smell of pus. Most often indicates diseases of the nasopharynx. Purulent stench is formed due to the presence of purulent plugs and plaque on the tonsils. Such phenomena are observed in pharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, nasal congestion and other conditions.
  5. chemical smell. Often occurs due to the use of drugs.
  6. putrid stench. A strong smell of rot appears in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
  7. Sweet smell. Unpleasant and odor often indicates the presence of diabetes. In the case of children, this disease is most likely hereditary. The development of type 1 diabetes is accompanied by a violation of the concentration of glucose in the body. Its synthesis and production is disrupted, which causes a sweet aroma.

Often the reason why the baby has bad breath may be poor hygiene, the use of certain types of foods. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as the root cause occur during the intensive growth of the child. They mostly occur between the ages of 4 and 7, but recur in adolescents.

Dental diseases

In young children under 2 years of age, often the root cause of the appearance of an unpleasant odor may be the presence of problems with the teeth or gums. Children are very fond of sweets and foods that are harmful to the functioning of the digestive tract and the body as a whole. It is even more difficult to induce them. You can teach your baby to this procedure from the appearance of the first tooth.

The parent can preliminarily examine the teeth themselves and determine if there is damage to the tooth enamel or gums.

In the presence of caries, products begin to remain in the damaged tooth, as a result of which the process of decay occurs. If external manifestations are not visible, then the presence of other gum diseases is possible.

The baby may have a strange smell during. They become red and swollen. You need to consult a doctor so that he makes effective appointments.

Which doctor to contact

If your child has bad breath, you should contact your pediatrician. The reasons can be absolutely banal. For example, drinking a small amount of water if the baby takes a lot of sweets or other unhealthy foods. If you eliminate the root cause, the effect will go away on its own.

It is also desirable that the pediatrician listen to the bronchi and lungs. If there is an inflammatory process or the presence chronic disease, it is advisable to undergo an examination at the ENT to identify sinusitis, runny nose and other breathing problems.

You need to get checked out by a dentist. He will tell you if there is a problem in the oral cavity, with gums or teeth. The doctor will also help in the presence of an inflammatory process in the gums, when the teeth are just beginning to erupt.

The need to visit a gastroenterologist arises when problems with the gastrointestinal tract are suspected.

Sometimes it is enough to pay more attention to the hygiene procedures of your baby, to ventilate the room more often.

The treatment prescribed by the doctor should be carried out to the end, that is, the entire course, and not just until the unpleasant symptom is completely eliminated.

Medicines should be used only under the supervision of a doctor. Doing it yourself is prohibited. Children from 6 years old can buy rinses that will eliminate the unpleasant "aroma".

You need to make sure that the room was constantly Fresh air. To do this, you should do airing several times a day.

If the cause of the smell is a problem in the nasopharynx, then in the absence of contraindications, rinsing the nasopharynx with saline and warming with salt can be used.

If the doctor has not noticed health problems, then you can eliminate the unpleasant symptom if you perform the following manipulations:

  1. A small child in the period from the appearance of the first tooth to 3 years of age should be brushed with their parents.
  2. Refrain from eating sweets. Children are very fond of different goodies, but they still do not know how to limit themselves and do not understand why this is necessary. You can replace sugar with honey. Honey not only does not harm the body, but contains a large amount of trace elements and vitamins.
  3. You can increase the amount of saliva by eating an orange or an apple. But do not forget to wash vegetables and fruits well before eating.
  4. Give your child enough water to drink.
  5. The use of vitamins. You need to take a vitamin complex twice a year. The pediatrician will recommend the best.
  6. Strengthening immunity. In order for the baby to rarely suffer from colds, it is necessary to pay attention to his immunity.

Opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

Komarovsky claims that the smell in the oral cavity at the age of 2 years can be caused by drying in the nasopharynx.

The doctor says that especially often such symptoms can appear after eating garlic or onions.

But sometimes the cause can be hidden in serious diseases in the body. In any case, it is necessary to initially go to the doctor in order to eliminate suspicions or confirm them and start treatment on time to avoid complications.

In the video, Dr. Komarovsky talks in detail about the smell of a child from the mouth:

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