Banish bad breath

Bad breath (halitosis) in toddlers tends to surprise parents as
it is generally thought to occur only in grown-ups. Leftover food particles could cause breath odor
in a healthy child. Food particles can be stuck between the teeth, at the gum line, on the tongue,
or on the surface of the tonsils. The resulting bacterial build-up will react with saliva and cause
bad breath.

Here are some causes of bad breath in toddlers:

• Tartar
  build-up
• Tooth infections
• Pacifier use
• Dehydration
• Pharyngitis
  (inflammation of the pharynx)
• Tonsillitis (inflammation of tonsils)

There is no
need for parents to worry of course! Regular dental hygiene can easily take care of the problem.Here are some common solutions to help you deal with your toddlers’ bad
breath:

• Make sure your toddlers are getting adequate fluid intake. This will take care of
  dehydration, if any exists.
• Make sure your toddlers are brushing correctly. If not, teach
  them the correct techniques.
• Use a timer for brushing time to make sure your toddlers brush
  for the correct length of time.
• Talk with your dentist and get your toddlers a routine check
  up.
• Make sure the pacifiers that your toddlers may be using are regularly
  sterilized.

Of course, bad breath in some instances can simply be caused by recently
consumed foods or beverages such as garlic or onions or spicy foods like pepperoni.

There
are other serious cases, however, where your children’s breath may smell toxic. In these
circumstances, immediately check if your toddlers have consumed any chemical or medicine
accidentally kept within reach.

Disclaimer: The above information is commonsense reflection
drawn from general experience. If you are looking for expert medical advice, please consult your
doctor.