Many people don't realize they have a problem with bad breath (halitosis) which can be quite unpleasant for others & at times prove to be a major cause of embarrassment.

Because medical problems can be associated with bad breath it is important to watch our children

for any signs of unusual mouth odor.If recurrent bad breath occurs we need to take them to the Dentist for a check-up ASAP. In children ‘bad breath which lasts throughout the day is often found to be the result of breathing through the mouth. This habit dries out the mouth & allows foul smelling bacteria to grow’.

http://www.kidshygieneandhealth.com/bad_breath/bad_breath0001.htm

Once the cause is determined & you are satisfied that the bad breath is either caused through dry mouth or a temporary infection, an older child ‘can use a night-time gargle with a sodium chloride solution (salt water) which may help reduce both bacteria levels & any infection that may be present’.

http://www.curesforbadbreath.com/bad-breath-basics/bad-breath-in-kids-and-spouses/

Facts about BAD BREATH

Transient bad breath or 'morning breath' is common. It disappears on its own usually after cleaning our teeth. I make it a habit of chewing a stick of sugar free gum after cleaning my teeth each morning. This helps to build up my store of saliva which helps to prevent dry mouth, etc.

When we don't brush & floss daily, small particles of food remain in our mouth, collecting between our teeth, on our tongue & around our gums. As the food rots an unpleasant odour remains = ‘Bad Breath’

Other causes of Bad Breath include…

1.     Dry mouth: (xerostomia), may be caused by

• Various medications,

• Salivary gland problems

• Continuously breathing through the mouth

2.     Dieting: due to infrequent eating... or hunger (ketosis) The body reaction to a lack of essential carbohydrates in the diet

3.    Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder such as

• A local infection in the respiratory tract

• Chronic sinusitis

• Postnasal drip; Very young children can sometimes have a bad odor coming from the back of their tongues, which is thought to be associated with post-nasal drip.

• Chronic bronchitis

• Diabetes; EG - A fruity odor to the breath occurs as the body attempts to get rid of excess acetone through the breathing. This is a characteristic sign of ketoacidosis

• Gastrointestinal disturbance; EG - Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)

• Liver or kidney ailment. Eg -'Fetor hepaticus' A breath with a 'dead mouse' or sweet focal smell

• Periodontitis (gum disease), helminthiasis

• Intestinal parasitic infections (worms)

• Eating certain foods - such as onions & garlic as they contain sulfur which is nature's way of creating odors.

The following 4 categories of foods can result in an increase of sulfur production. Each category has a stimulating affect on the bacteria:  

see http://www.therabreath.com/art_food.asp

          1. Drying Agents - Alcohol is the basis of all "adult" beverages such as Beer, Wine, & Spirits. It's also used in some mouthwashes, where it only makes the problems worse… Try antibacterial mouthwashes that don’t contain alcohol.  (We need to  add smoking here to)

          2. Dense Protein Foods - Dairy food is notorious for creating bad breath... milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc. "Lactose Intolerant" people often get a build up of amino acids in their systems which easily convert to volatile sulfur compounds..

          3. Sugars - Fuel for bacteria to reproduce & create more sulfur compounds. In addition, other bacteria can take the sugars & produce glycan strands, which in turn end up causing thick layers of plaque on your enamel & around your gums. This leads to tooth decay & gum disease.

          4. Acids - Coffee - both decaf & regular have acids (Tea is OK); Tomato Juice; Citrus Juices; Pineapple Juice. In order to decrease the production of odorous sulfur compounds, we need to neutralize the acid environment.

How do we Reduce Bad Breath?

The answer is simply by practicing good oral hygiene habits.

• Regular dental visits - cleaning and check-up.

• Brush twice a day… Teeth & tongue

• Use floss between teeth.

• If using a mouthwash or rinse choose an antibacterial type is best.

It's really hard to detect our own bad breath odor... many people will have an accompanying bad taste (eg metallic, sour, faecal).

At Animated Teeth they tell us two effective ways to determine the presence of bad breath for ourselves. http://www.animated-teeth.com/    

Their suggestions are:

• Lick the back of the wrist, let the saliva dry for a minute or two, then smell the result.

• Lightly scrape the posterior of the tongue with an inverted spoon or a piece of dental floss then smell the dried residue.

Personally I value the honesty of a close friend or family member who will tell me that my breath is 'off' rather than picking it up through the expressions on other peoples faces.  

Chronic bad breath is a serious & persistent condition affecting up to 40% of the population in varying degrees.

Sometimes a change in lifestyle & diet can help HOWEVER if chronic bad breath continues I recommend that you see your doctor. Keep a journal of the food you eat & anything else you think may be a contributing factor… Going properly armed can help get to the cause so much quicker.

Increasing your fluid intake can help to combat dry mouth & flush your system of toxins.

Parsley is a natural breath freshener when chewed slowly… try growing some in your garden.

For those who wear dentures, be sure to remove them at night & clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning

Be sure to check out the external links below for extra information.