Baby Bad Breath: Most Common Causes and Remedies
There is something special and sweet when it comes to the newness of life and the nice smell of a baby’s soft skin. The majority of parents instantly fall in love with their little one and the scent of their new baby is treasured forever. However, it can be disturbing when you go to kiss or cuddle your child and you are hit in the face and nose with an unpleasant stench that comes from your baby’s mouth. While each and every parent expect to come across some nasty odors with regards to dirty diapers, many parents do not expect their baby to have bad breath. If you are currently experiencing bad baby breath, then continue reading to find out what causes it and how it can be prevented.
During the course of this article, we are going to dive into the most common causes of bad baby breath and the potential remedies to cure it. Almost every baby will go through a stage of having bad breath and, as a parent, you can quickly begin to blame yourself. It’s likely that you are trying to think of the causes of the baby’s bad breath, but you might not necessarily arrive at the correct answer. Being a relatively new parent, you will probably be spending most of the day with your baby. You might start wondering, is it the food the baby eats? Or perhaps it is the milk the baby drinks? Could it even be gum disease or other periodontal disease? Well, this article is for the parents that have been asking themselves those very questions about their baby’s stinky breath.
The majority of people see bad breath as a result of poor oral hygiene. And while that may be the case for adults and teens, foul odor in babies isn’t always caused by the same thing. Bad baby breath is probably more frequent and prevalent than most people think and not necessarily a serious oral issue. The good news is that there are a lot of simple remedies that can take care of the unpleasant odor swiftly.
Causes of Bad Baby Breath
Bad breath is usually caused by increased bacterial growth in the mouth, it could be present on your gums, and also on your tongue. While some bad baby breath is caused by major medical problems, most causes of bad baby breath can be improved and eventually cured by taking a closer look at the tendencies and movements of the child. Take a second look at the hygiene habits that you have started so that it won’t return in the future.
The causes of bad baby breath include:
Dry Mouth
This is one of the reasons for bad breath in babies. Some babies go to sleep with their mouths open because they have a stuffy nose (catarrh). If they do that, then they give way for more opportunity for bacteria to enter the mouth and increase while they grow, thereby leading to the unpleasant smelling of the mouth.
Foreign Object
Once a baby learns to walk, talk, and grab they will most likely pick up anything and everything that they come across. Some if not all babies are caught mishandling small objects/items at some point or another and it is very common for babies to try and put things in their mouths. If they put a small object or toy into their mouths without you realizing there may be an issue with breathing as well bad breath.
Poor Hygiene
The build-up and growth of cavities and tartar can solely affect children and babies at any age which will essentially lead to bad breath. It is best for you to go with the adequate recommendations for oral hygiene for the age of your child. At the time when they have no teeth and are still very young, parents can continue to massage their gums as well as clean their tongue to help bad breath.
Smelly Food
This one also applies to adults.If your child takes in food that has ingredients such as garlic and onions, their breath will change and become quite pungent for some time after the food has been eaten.
Illness
There are conditions such as tonsillitis, sinus infections, and seasonal allergies that could cause bad breath which will require medical intervention depending on the severity. It is important to contact your pediatrician if the issue still comes up after you change methods.
Reflux
The regurgitation of a baby’s food also causes bad breath. All babies of the world spit up reflux; however, if your baby is healthy and growing, you need not worry yourself as it will pass eventually.
Remedies of Bad Baby Breath
Some experts have agreed that the best way to prevent baby bad breath is to be aware at all times of your child’s oral hygiene. It is also important to note that staying on top of your child’s oral hygiene must start when the child is still very young, because it does not only prevent baby bad breath, but it also sets your child on the pathway to good oral hygiene in the future.
Do not use mouthwash, it will only increase the problem because most young children will swallow it. It is incredibly strong and you should also make sure that anything that goes to your baby’s mouth must be washed first including your baby’s hands, thumbs, teddy bears, and blankets. It seems obvious, but these should all be cleaned frequently to prevent the spread of germs and bad breath. For those of you that make use of pacifiers, you should also ensure that they are sterilized frequently in the dishwasher or in boiling water.
Finally, preventing any form of bad baby breath can be done by closely monitoring and taking your baby regularly for dental appointments and check-ups. This will ensure that their mouth continues to stay squeaky clean and healthy ready for when the teeth start to come through. If the remedies do not work, then it is best to visit your doctor or dentist.
Do not be worried or dwell on it if your baby has bad breath. It is completely natural and to be expected. Just be watchful and always check your baby’s mouth frequently. Getting them used to a good and healthy oral hygiene routine will help any bad breath and get them used to looking after their teeth on their own. If you teach your baby and children a good oral hygiene routine at a young age, then it would follow them up at the later stages of their life.
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