Causes
Most children have ‘bad breath’ when they wake up. This will usually go away after your child has something to eat and drink and cleans her teeth. It isn’t anything to worry about.
There are many other possible causes for bad breath, including mouth or throat infections, a blocked nose, sinusitis, gum disease (gingivitis), and tooth decay or abscesses.
In adolescent children, causes of bad breath might also include extreme diets (for example, high-protein diets or anorexia nervosa), poor dental hygiene (particularly if your child wears braces or other orthodontic devices), or tobacco use.
Rarely, breath that smells unusual might be caused by medical problems such as lung disease (including bronchiectasis and lung abscesses) or diabetes.
When to see your doctor
See your doctor if you’re worried, or if your child’s bad breath doesn’t go away after trying the treatment strategies below.
Treatment
Treatment of the cause should help sort out your child’s bad breath.
Your child could try using an antibacterial mouthwash and paying attention to dental hygiene. This includes cleaning his teeth and tongue, and flossing between teeth.
