The smell of your baby’s breath can be an excellent indicator of his or her overall health and well-being, and you’ll want to pay close attention to anything that seems different than usual.
Babies are still developing their immune systems, and so if something as simple as bad breath could indicate that something more serious, like a cold or illness, is going on, you should have your child checked out by your pediatrician as soon as possible. And the good news is you can get rid of bad breath in babies.
Here’s what you need to know about bad breath in babies.
The causes of newborn baby halitosis
You probably know that kids, and adults for that matter, get bad breath from time to time.
The causes can be different depending on your age. If you're an adult with bad breath, chances are it's caused by some sort of problem with your mouth — like gum disease or a cavity.
But if you have bad breath as an infant or toddler, you should be aware that foul-smelling gas could be indicative of something more serious than teething or constipation (though those are both big possibilities).
Food sensitivities and lactose intolerance are both symptoms associated with stomach pain and halitosis, so talk to your pediatrician about other potential causes if these don't seem likely.
What you can do about it
Because bad breath can be a sign of oral health problems, it’s best to speak with your pediatrician about any concerns you have.
If your doctor thinks more-serious issues are at play, she might refer you to a specialist for testing and treatment.
Your baby’s tonsils and adenoids may be enlarged or infected if he has bad breath—but only your doctor can know for sure. Her advice on keeping your baby's mouth fresh will depend on what she discovers during her exam.
It could range from good oral hygiene practices (keeping him off teething toys) to antibiotics or even surgery if other causes like strep throat aren't found.
Don't wait until his teeth come in to start practicing good dental habits. While babies can’t brush their teeth yet, you can still make sure they don’t get tooth decay by starting them on healthy habits now.
Good oral care includes feeding them nutritious foods (instead of sugar-filled snacks), making regular trips to see their dentist and brushing their gums after meals using an infant toothbrush or gauze pad dipped in water mixed with baking soda or salt.
All of these things can help reduce tooth decay as well as gum disease that leads to bad breath later on down the road.
Get medical help if necessary
It’s always best to have your baby checked out by a doctor if you think she has bad breath.
Bad breath is usually harmless, but there are rare cases where babies have serious medical conditions that can affect their breath or cause them to vomit.
The doctor will ask you lots of questions about your baby’s eating habits and what they do while they sleep, so make sure you keep a journal and write down any details that may be important.
You should also tell them everything you know about your baby’s family history so that your child receives appropriate testing. If everything checks out, don’t worry too much about bad breath in babies—it will probably go away by itself eventually!
Conclusion
Although bad breath in babies can be concerning, most cases are benign. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore any symptoms.
If your child has bad breath and you have concerns, bring them to your pediatrician for a professional evaluation.
Don’t dismiss bad breath as just part of being a baby—it could signal something more serious.
