Baby with bad breath: 5 causes (and what to do)

Bad breath is more common in adults due to poor oral hygiene, but it can also happen in babies, being caused by various problems ranging from diet to dry mouth or respiratory infections, for example.

However, poor hygiene is also one of the possible causes of bad breath because, even if they don’t have teeth yet, babies can develop the same bacteria that adults develop on their teeth, but on their tongue, cheeks and gums.

The best way to eliminate bad breath in babies is to practice adequate oral hygiene and, if it does not improve, it is advisable to consult your pediatrician to identify whether there is a health problem, starting appropriate treatment if necessary. See how you should do your baby’s oral hygiene the right way.

5 main causes of bad breath in babies

The most common causes of bad breath in babies include:

1. Dry mouth

Babies are more likely to sleep with their mouths slightly open and, as a result, their mouths become easily dry due to the frequent passage of air.

In this way, drops of milk and food residues can dry out and leave sugars stuck to the gums, allowing the development of bacteria and fungi, which in addition to causing mouth sores, cause bad breath.

What to do: Adequate oral hygiene must be maintained, especially after breastfeeding or feeding the baby, thus avoiding the accumulation of milk drops that can dry out when the baby’s mouth is open. Another simple way to alleviate the problem is to offer the baby some water after milk.

2. Poor oral hygiene

Although teeth only begin to appear around 6 or 8 months of age, the truth is that oral hygiene must be carried out from birth, because even if there are no teeth, bacteria can deposit themselves inside the baby’s mouth, causing bad breath and oral problems, such as thrush or cavities.

What to do: The baby’s mouth should be cleaned with a damp cloth or gauze, at least twice a day, until the first teeth emerge. After teething, it is recommended to use a soft brush and toothpaste suitable for the baby’s age.

3. Using inappropriate toothpaste

In some cases, bad breath can occur even when you are practicing proper hygiene, and this can happen because you are not using the right paste.

Generally, baby pastes should not contain any type of chemical, however, some may contain sodium lauryl sulfate in their composition, a substance that is used to create foam and which can lead to dry mouth and the appearance of small wounds. . Therefore, this type of paste can often facilitate the development of bacteria and, consequently, bad breath.

What to do: Avoid using toothpastes that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in their composition, giving preference to neutral pastes that produce little foam.

4. Eating strong-smelling foods

Bad breath can also appear when you start introducing new foods to your baby, especially when using garlic or onion to prepare some baby food. This happens because, as in adults, these foods leave an intense smell in the mouth, making breath worse.

What to do: Avoid frequently using this type of food when preparing your baby’s meals and always practice adequate oral hygiene after meals.

5. Respiratory and throat infections

Respiratory and throat infections, such as sinusitis or tonsillitis, although they are a rarer cause, can also cause the development of bad breath, which is generally associated with other symptoms such as a runny nose, cough or fever, for example.

What to do: If an infection is suspected or if bad breath does not disappear after proper hygiene of the baby’s mouth, it is recommended to go to the pediatrician to identify the cause and start appropriate treatment.

When to go to the pediatrician

It is recommended to go to the pediatrician when the baby presents:

• Fever above 38ºC;
• Appearance of white plaques in the mouth;
• Gum bleeding;
• Loss of appetite;
• Weight loss for no apparent reason.

In these cases, the baby may be developing an infection and, therefore, the pediatrician may prescribe an antibiotic to eliminate the infection and other medications to alleviate symptoms.