Bad breath in babies, kids and teenagers

What is bad breath?

Bad breath is when your breath smells unpleasant or unusual.

Bad breath is also called halitosis.

What causes bad breath in kids and teens?

Most children and teenagers have ‘bad breath’ when they wake up. This usually goes away after they have something to eat and drink and clean their teeth. This sort of bad breath isn’t anything to worry about.

Other causes of bad breath in kids and teens include:

gum disease (gingivitis)
tooth decay or tooth abscesses
mouth or throat infections
a blocked nose
sinusitis.

In teenagers, causes of bad breath might also include:

extreme diets – for example, a high-protein diet
eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa
poor dental hygiene, particularly if they wear braces or other orthodontic devices
smoking.

Rarely, medical conditions might make a child’s breath smell bad or unusual. These conditions include illnesses like type-1 diabetes and type-2 diabetes and some lung diseases. Kidney or liver problems might cause bad breath, but this is rare too.

How to get rid of bad breath

Good dental hygiene is the best way to prevent and manage bad breath.

Your child should brush their teeth and tongue twice a day. They can also start flossing or using interdental brushes once they start school.

The following articles have information about cleaning, brushing, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and interdental brushes for children of different ages:

Your child should also get regular check-ups with a dentist. Ask your dentist how often your child needs a dental check-up – it’s usually recommended every 6-12 months.

Make sure your child drinks plenty of water and limits sugary drinks like fruit juice, soft drinks and flavoured milks and caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea and energy drinks.

Does your child need to see a doctor or dentist about bad breath?

You can usually fix bad breath with good dental hygiene at home. But you should take your child to the GP if:

you’re worried about their bad breath
their bad breath is extreme in the morning
you have a family history of any of the medical conditions above
their bad breath doesn’t go away after trying the treatments above.

If a medical issue is causing your child’s bad breath, your doctor will discuss other treatment options with you. For example, if your child has an infection, they might need antibiotics.

If your child has tooth decay, sensitive teeth or discoloured teeth, it’s a good idea to take your child to the dentist.

Frequently asked questions about bad breath in babies, children and teens

Is it normal for a baby’s breath to smell?

Babies can have smelly breath if they don’t swallow all the milk in their mouth after feeding. The normal bacteria in the mouth can start to feed on this, leading to a cheesy smell.

Can teething cause bad breath?

Teething can cause bad breath. When children are teething, they don’t swallow their saliva as much as usual, and they drool more. The old saliva can be smelly. Also, the gums are open where the teeth are coming through, and this can encourage bacteria and cause smelliness.

Why does my child have bad breath after sleep?

It’s normal for kids to have bad breath when they wake up after a sleep. We produce less saliva when we sleep, which means that the normal bacteria in our mouths aren’t washed away.