Wishing every Mom a fabulous Mother’s Day!
For the most amazing Moms on your special day, you will always be your family’s heart, soul and smile!
From all the diaper changes, meal times, putting up with temper tantrums, school pick-ups, being the family cheer-leader, looking after and making every day so much fun, YOU really are amazing!!
From each of us at kidstoothotline to you,
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
In the Know for You to Know
You absolutely love your child’s adorable toothy smiles looking up at you. And why not? They’re so precious, so white, so engaging.
When you’re gazing at their smile, have you noticed the spaces between their teeth? These gaps make their teeth so endearing.
Have you wondered why your child has these gaps between their teeth? Is it better to have gaps or no gaps? How do gaps develop? Why do some children have gaps while others don’t? And, are these tooth gaps a cause for concern?
Wonder no more. Today we’ll be looking into why tooth gaps in children’s teeth are good.
Small spaces (or gaps) between baby teeth is normal. In fact, this is something good.
Spacing can occur between the front teeth, or the back teeth, or between all the teeth. When the spaces are in-between front teeth, this is called physiologic spacing. Primate spacing is when the gaps are between the back teeth.
3 reasons for spacing in-between baby teeth:
It’s completely normal for children to have gaps between their baby teeth. In fact, gaps between baby teeth are normal, natural and beneficial to a child’s oral development.
These are 3 signs that spacing is part of normal development:
Baby teeth may be present for a short time, but they carry great importance for the long term.
Baby teeth are important for 3 reasons:
Properly spaced baby teeth give adult teeth the place and space they need to come into the mouth. This can also support a child’s long term oral health.
In contrast, a child whose baby teeth don’t have any spaces or are tight together is actually more likely to experience crowding.
Pediatric dentists check spacing within the context of your child’s overall growth and dental development.
This includes:
Spacing between children’s teeth often naturally close as their permanent teeth come into their mouth. In addition, the pressure from neighboring adult teeth and continued jaw growth can help close the smaller gaps.
While gaps between baby teeth are expected, there are times when they are a concern:
Every child’s smile develops differently.
During the baby teeth stage spacing between teeth isn’t a problem. It’s expected. Small gaps between these teeth create the space needed for larger permanent teeth to come into the mouth properly.
So what do you think? How do you feel about spacing between teeth? Does your child have gaps in-between their baby teeth? Did you have the same gaps? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like Us on Facebook
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We’ve all heard the saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true for children’s dental care. As parents it’s important to know that children’s dental care always begins with prevention.
Preventive dental care plays a crucial role in maintaining children’s oral health as they grow. This is an excellent way to prevent cavities, gum disease, and oral health issues. It’s not only about daily brushing. This involves a broader approach.
So what does preventive care look like for children, and why is it so important?
Knowing there are benefits for preventive care helps encourage families to prioritize them. In addition, preventive care allows for dental problems to be caught before they become serious.
The 3 main advantages of preventive care are:
Starting preventive dental care early in childhood sets the foundation for a lifetime of good dental health and healthy smiles.
By establishing good habits when your child is young and keeping up with this, you’re setting your child up for a healthier future.
What’s important is that the effort you put in now will benefit them for years to come.
You want to continue investing in preventive care for your child as it lays the foundation for sound dental health as they grow. The long term benefits of preventive dentistry reach far into adulthood.
4 long term benefits for children who receive preventive care are that they are more likely to:
These are the top 5 preventive treatments children should receive for strong, healthy teeth:
Brushing and flossing at home are essential. But they are not enough.
Regular professional cleanings are necessary to set a solid foundation for oral health. Plaque and tartar build up are removed. The mouth, teeth and gums are examined for any signs of irritation, tooth decay, and bite problems. If anything of concern is found it can be addressed quickly before there is a chance to get worse.
It’s important to know that these visits should begin when your child’s first tooth comes in or no later than their 1st birthday; and regularly every six months. Also, as your child grows the familiarity of these visits help build their confidence and rapport while creating pleasant and positive dental experiences.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and minimizes the risk of tooth decay.
A simple application during a routine visit can yield many benefits. It’s safe, effective, and a great way to build strong teeth and stay free of cavities. Even though it’s found in the drinking water throughout some communities, it’s still important to have this specific treatment at the dentist’s office.
Sealants are a highly effective preventive treatment. They act as a barrier that keeps food particles and plaque bacteria from settling into the grooves of the teeth, especially the molars.
Sealants can offer years of protection which greatly reduces the risk of cavities.
If your child plays sports, a custom mouthguard is a crucial piece of equipment, especially in contact sports. It can protect their teeth from injury, reduce the risk of jaw fractures and concussion. Sure you can get one at the sports store, but it doesn’t offer the same fit, comfort, and protection.
It’s recommended to have your child examined by an orthodontist around age 7. While your child’s teeth may look straight, these visits can provide insight beyond what you see at the surface.
The orthodontist will evaluate jaw growth, tooth eruption, and bite development. Issues such as crowding, spacing, and mis-alignments can be addressed early. These early interventions can reduce the need for complex orthodontic treatment later on.
If no treatment is needed, making the connection as a part of preventive treatment brings you peace of mind.
Preventive dental care is a shared effort with you as the parent, your dentist; and as your child grows up this includes them as well. At its core preventive dental care is proactive treatment providing your child with good oral health today and into their future.
Treating your child’s teeth proactively instead of reactively helps avoid cavities, gum disease, and the need for multiple or complex procedures.
So what do you think? Do you agree? Are you team prevention? If you don’t agree that’s okay, why you feel the way you do? Is there more you want to know? What are your own experiences with preventive dental care? Did you receive preventive dental care growing up? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like Us on Facebook
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
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As parents we always say “wear your helmet!” Especially when our children want to ride their bike, skateboard or scooter. We also say this when they play baseball, football, hockey or lacrosse.
But, have you ever said “wear your mouth guard!”?
Why would you? One word, protection. While a helmet protects a child’s head, a mouthguard protects their teeth, mouth and their head.
You’re thinking, “how does a mouthguard protect a child’s head?” As parents we’ve heard about concussions. We think about concussions as occurring from a blow to the head. However, a hit to the teeth, mouth or jaw can also cause a concussion.
Now you’re thinking, Why are mouth guards so important? How can a mouthguard help prevent an injury?
So stay tuned and keep reading on how to keep your child’s teeth safe.
A mouth guard is a soft, flexible plastic that fits over the teeth.
It’s used to soften the impact if your child gets hit in the face. Rather than letting the teeth absorb all the impact, the mouth guard distributes the force, reducing the risk of severe dental injuries.
A mouth guard is a protective aid in absorbing and re-distributing the force of the impact that may otherwise cause harm to the jawbone, cheekbones, lips and head. When paired with additional protective gear, such as a padded helmet, it helps to protect your child’s head and mouth.
There are 3 types of mouth guards:
A mouth guard is a mouth protector which helps cushion a blow to the mouth and face. This minimizes the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your child’s lips, tongue, face, jaws and head.
While collision and contact sports, such as basketball and boxing are higher risk sports for the mouth, children can experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.
From a safety stand point it’s wise for a child to wear a mouth guard for any sport or activity where there is a chance of contact. Even non-contact sports can lead to accidents.
If it’s a sport that involves a lot of movement, there’s always a chance of being hit or colliding with another child
Wearing a mouth guard is recommended for:
One.
A mouth guard covers the top teeth, and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of their tongue, lips and cheek lining.
There are certain times when depending on specific needs it may be recommended for your child to have a mouthguard which covers their lower teeth.
A properly fitted mouthguard is especially important for children who have braces.
A hit to the face can damage the wires and brackets or other orthodontic appliances. The mouthguard provides a protective barrier between the braces and their cheeks and lips, limiting the risk of gum and soft tissue injuries.
4 Tips for taking care of your child’s mouth guard:
When it comes to protecting your child’s mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear. And like their helmet needs to be part of their standard equipment from an early age.
So let’s protect those precious smiles and ensure the memories you take home are happy ones.
Did you wear a mouth guard when you played sports? Thinking back, do you think you should have worn one? How old was your child when they started wearing their helmet to ride their bike or scooter? What sports does your child play? Has your child’s coach told you to have them wear a mouthguard? Have you asked your child’s coach about mouth guards? Are you ready to take the next step in protecting your child’s smile when they play their favorite sports? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like Us on Facebook
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As a parent, you know preventing dental related issues is important, and you also know that this is not so simple when your child has Autism.
Whether your child is sensitive to light and sounds or smells and tastes or does not know how to express these feelings; you want them to have a positive experience.
You’re thinking, how do you do this? Once you’ve made their appointment think about telling them a story about going to the dentist. Not just any story. This is a personalized story you’ve written just for them.
Now you’re thinking, why tell them a story about going to the dentist? Story telling is a great way to introduce new or unfamiliar experiences to your child. It’s also a way to re-introduce unpleasant experiences in a positive way.
Since we all love to tell a really good story or listen to one, today we’re helping you write your own dental social story.
Once you’ve made your child’s appointment you know when it’s best to introduce this to them. Your approach needs to be tailored to your child’s individual needs.
Your child may do well if you wait until the day before or day of the appointment to talk to them about their visit. Most children do not. So preparing them starts weeks before their appointment.
Preparing a child with autism for their trip to the dentist well in advance can be very helpful in easing anxiety and having a calm and successful visit.
You’re thinking, what is the best way to prepare them?, and how do I write a social story?
Social stories use positive, simple, straight forward language to describe the sequence of events your child will experience. The stories usually have photos or pictures to help show the things they will see, hear, and do.
After you’ve made your child’s dental appointment consider taking pictures of the street the office is on, the parking lot, the outside of the building, the office’s front door with the dentist’s name.
You might want to stop by and ask if you can take some pictures of the office to include in your social story. Introducing yourself and your child ahead of time helps everyone, especially your child.
This way you’re showing your child what to expect step by step.
Using a scrap book or empty picture book can help you organize your child’s story. You can also use your phone, since children love the phone.
| Steps | What Will Be Happening |
|---|---|
| 1 | We’re going to the Dentist and we’ll be driving down this street. Then we’ll park our car near the Dentist’s office. After we park the car we’ll walk to the Dentist’s office. The office is upstairs/downstairs/on the walk-in floor so we may/may not need to take an elevator ride; or we may/may not take the stairs. When we get to the Dentist’s office we’ll open the door and walk in. |
| 2 | There is a lady sitting behind a desk. She’s the receptionist. She’ll say hello to us when we walk in. After we say hello, we’ll tell her your name. She may ask us to sit down and watch a movie, or play one of the games until it’s our turn. |
| 3 | When it’s our turn the hygienist will call your name. The hygienist is the lady/man who cleans your teeth. Then we’ll all walk together to a room with a few special chairs that look like Daddy’s recliner chair. |
| 4 | The hygienist will ask you to sit down in the chair. The hygienist will tell you that this chair is special because it moves up and down and reclines back almost like a bed, but you don’t have to take a nap. The hygienist will show you the buttons that make the chair move and will show you how the chair moves. |
| 5 | The hygienist will show you how the chair moves back so she and the Dentist can look at all your teeth even the one’s all the way in the back. The hygienist will also tell you that when you’re lying down on the chair you can hold my hand and put your legs straight out. |
| 6 | Then the hygienist will ask you to sit on the chair. After you sit down the hygienist will tell you that she’s going to press the button for the chair to lay down. Let’s ask if you can press the button. |
| 7 | The hygienist will ask you how big you can open your mouth?, and count how long you can stay open wide. The hygienist will show you the big light she and the dentist use so they can see all your teeth. Before she turns the light on, the hygienist will ask you if I want to wear sunglasses because the light is bright or if you want to close your eyes. |
| 8 | The hygienist will show you the special mirror she and the dentist use to look at your teeth. She’ll let you touch the mirror will also show you what the mirror feels like on your lips and tongue and cheeks. Then the hygienist will show you and let you touch the tooth counter she and the dentist use to count and check your teeth. |
| 9 | The hygienist will show you the special floss string she uses to clean in-between your teeth, she’ll let you touch the floss and she’ll show you how it feels in-between your fingers. Then she’ll floss your teeth. |
| 10 | The hygienist will show you the special power toothbrush and special toothpaste she uses to clean your teeth. Then she will let you touch this special toothbrush and she’ll show you what the brush feels like on your finger and then on your teeth. The best part is that the hygienist says you get to pick the flavor of your toothpaste. The hygienist will show you the special tooth vitamins she puts on your teeth after the dentist checks your teeth with his mirror and tooth counter. And you also get to pick your flavor. |
| 11 | The dentist may want to take special pictures of your teeth. The hygienist will explain that these photos are called x-rays and you get to wear a super special emoji apron to take the x-rays. The apron may feel heavy to take the pictures. |
| 12 | When you’re all finished the hygienist will give you a fun bag filled with a brand new toothbrush and toothpaste, and you’ll get to choose a super special prize and sticker. |
| 13 | After you get your prize we’ll go back and make your next appointment with the receptionist. |
| 14 | Then it’s time to say Goodbye and go to our car. Maybe we’ll go someplace special afterwards since you did such a good job. |
| The End |
Remember last week when we talked about positive dental visits? We also talked about a technique called Tell-Show-Do. This is essentially what a social story is doing.
You are introducing your child to their dental visit by Telling them about their visit. You’re explaining their entire visit to them step by step from beginning to end.
When you’re at their visit the Tell is reinforced and then it’s adding the Show and Do.
Social stories help to better prepare your child for their dental visit. These stories walk you and your child through what you can expect at their appointment. Each step shows where they’ll be going and what they’ll be doing.
With practice and preparation, dental visits for children with autism can become more accepted and predictable over time.
I hope this is helpful and reassuring for you as a parent. Every child deserves to have a positive experience at each dental visit.
Have you heard about social stories? Have you written your own social story for your child? Was it helpful? Do you want to start all over again with a new story? Tell us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
In the Know for you to Know
Going to the Dentist is hard. For parents whose child has Autism this can be especially challenging and intimidating.
Dental care and oral hygiene routines at home may go very slowly, can be sporadic or non-existent.
Getting to know your child, your concerns, looking and listening to their cues, and accommodating to their needs makes you and your child feel comfortable and cared for. Over time with compassion, lot’s of patience and determination at home and in the pediatric dental office achieving positive results is possible and will bring invaluable rewards for your child and for you.
But for now, how do you start on the path to achieve a successful dental visit, or just brush their teeth?
Autism is individual and it’s complex. Your child may have medical concerns that your family is dealing with and need to be taken into consideration.
Some children are distant and detached from people and their surroundings, and may or may not be verbal. Other children may have repetitive routines and behaviors, unpredictable body movements, or self-injurious behaviors. There are some children who have sensory, taste and texture sensitivities. Each of these behaviors can complicate dental care and establishing oral hygiene routines.
Before your child’s dental checkup there are several things you can do to help prepare them. These small steps help set the stage for a positive experience by using what we call desensitization.
Desensitization is about familiarity and routine. This helps prepare them for the sights and sounds they’ll experience during a dental visit.
Having a consistent dental routine at home is very helpful. While this may not always mean that tooth brushing and flossing is actually done, it’s the repetition and patience that goes a long way.
Did you know that children should have their 1st dental checkup by the age of 1?
This is especially important for children with autism since they are at a high risk of developing cavities.
A few factors that can increase your child’s level of risk for cavities are the amount of starches, carbohydrates and sugars in their diet, as well as their oral hygiene routine at home.
Seeing your child at this young age allows for desensitization at an age when they’re likely to be less fearful and more cooperative. The younger you bring your child to the dentist, the easier the checkup will be for both of you.
Your child’s dental visit isn’t only about teeth. It’s about respecting their boundaries and proceeding with what they’re comfortable doing.
Sometimes it’s only being able to count their teeth, take x-rays, or brush their teeth. These are all small steps in the right direction. It’s important to celebrate their small victories because they add up and help your child feel more accustomed to visiting the dentist.
For each step of their visit we use the technique known as ‘Tell, Show, Do”.
Tell, Show, Do is a 3 step method where we:
Pediatric dental office’s have all the bells and whistles for making going to the dentist fun. However they still have bright lights, loud noises and unfamiliar people, sights, smells and tastes.
Dental visits and procedures can be difficult for children with Autism who are sensitive to strong smells, tastes, and textures, or do not tolerate people or objects near their ears, face and mouth.
By starting your child’s dental visits as young as possible and incorporating home routines, desensitization and Tell, Show, Do you’re on your way to successful dental visits for your child.
Does your child have Autism? What are your dental obstacles? Do you have dental visit challenges? What tips do you have to share for dental visits? Tell us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
In the Know for You To Know
Happy Holidays!
Wishing you and your family the most beautiful of holidays.
Happy Passover
Happy Easter
Happy Orthodox Easter
From each of us at KidsTootHotline to each of you all our best for an amazing holiday.
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
In the Know for You to Know
You’re going about your regular day. Work, school, after school, dinner, homework. Then you walk into your child’s room and notice they’re playing with their lip. They see you standing there and before you can ask anything, they say “Mom, look at this bubble on my lip.”
When you look, there is definitely a bubble on the inside of their lip. Then you think back and don’t recall anything being there yesterday or the day before that.
After a few questions you find out that this bubble comes and goes, it gets bigger and smaller, thankfully doesn’t hurt, and they run their tongue and teeth over it when it’s there.
But what is this bubble? Where did it come from? Why does it come and go, and change shape?
There is a specific type of bubble that is commonly found in the mouth that acts in this way; it’s called a Mucocele.
So, what is there to know about mucoceles?
A mucocele is another name for a mucous cyst. By nature, cysts are fluid filled sacs.
Mucoceles are frequently seen in children due to their tendency to bite or suck on their lips and cheeks. These habits can lead to trauma not only to the delicate oral tissues but also to the minor salivary glands which lie underneath.
These glands have ducts which provide a path for the saliva to flow into the mouth. When these ducts are blocked the saliva has no where to go. Saliva keeps forming and with no where to go causes the glands to swell. The swollen salivary glands become a mucocele.
Mucoceles tend to be transparent, mucous-filled dome shaped bubbles.
The bubble may be clear or the same color as the mouth tissues. It can take on a bluish or reddish color depending on where it is and how much pressure there is from the buildup of saliva.
Sometimes the surface may become white, rough or scaly due to repeated sucking on the bubble.
Mucoceles are usually the result of trauma in the mouth which injures the tiny salivary ducts lying just under the surface of the mouth tissues.
Lip or cheek biting and/or sucking causes trauma which injures these salivary gland ducts. Saliva keeps on forming normally. It is the ongoing accumulation of saliva under the surface that causes the mouth tissues to bulge. This bulge is the saliva bubble (mucocele) that you see and feel.
Mucoceles may fluctuate in size. They can often grow larger and then shrink. In some cases, they can rupture spontaneously releasing the built up saliva into the mouth.
However, they can reappear if the underlying cause is not addressed.
4 things to know:
Mucoceles can develop in a few places in the mouth.
These areas include the:
Mucoceles are generally harmless and tend to resolve on their own. They can be a source of discomfort and may persist if not evaluated and properly treated.
When treating mucoceles in children, pediatric dentists often opt for a conservative approach. In many cases, the mucoceles will deflate on their own and heal without intervention.
However, if a mucocele persists, becomes painful, interferes with eating and speaking then surgical excision may be necessary to alleviate discomfort and help prevent recurrence.
If your child experiences any of these symptoms, you need to contact your pediatric dentist or pediatrician:
Like the saying goes, the first time you see something won’t be the last time. The first time I saw a child with a mucocele was when I was in the 1st year of my pediatric dentistry residency
I have seen mucoceles many times over the years since then. Each time a child comes into my office with one, I remember back to the first time a Mom brought her daughter in to have “her lip bubble” checked out.
What you learn from textbooks is not always how you see it in person. But this was classic.
A Mom brought her school age daughter into see me since this “cheek bubble” was “there for a while.” They were great with giving me an understanding of the time line, what had changed, and what their concerns were.
The cheeks like the lips have many, many little salivary glands. When 1 or more of these glands is hurt their ducts get squished and the saliva has no place to go so it stays inside the gland.
Saliva is continuously being made so it builds up in each gland. As the saliva builds up it creates a “bubble.”
In this child’s case the bubble was the size of a pencil eraser and the color of her cheek. The cause? Cheek biting. Not just one time. As her Mom said “only when she gets nervous.”
According to Mom, she noticed her daughter was biting her cheek a lot. Then during toothbrushing the previous night, she also noticed the “bubble” was bigger than before and came in the next morning.
I asked Mom why she hadn’t called or come in before? Mom said that since it wasn’t bothering her and it would come and go she wasn’t worried. But when she saw it the night before all that changed and she brought her daughter in. Which we were both glad she did.
Since this mucocele had been an ongoing issue at the time for almost 6 months I gave Mom a referral to the Oral Surgeon. Once I knew the specifics about the Oral Surgeon’s plan for treatment I made them a follow up appointment with me.
A happy Mom with peace of mind and a happy daughter.
Has your child had a mucocele? What (if any) treatment did they need? Did you know about mucoceles before? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
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World Oral Health Day is a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of oral health and promoting good oral hygiene practices.
This day emphasizes the connection between oral health and overall well-being, encouraging parents and people of all ages to take care of their children’s and their own teeth and gums.
So what is there to know about World Oral Health Day?
This is an annual event that focuses on the significance of maintaining good oral health throughout life.
World Oral Health Day’s goal is to encourage and develop better oral care practices.
World Oral Health Day is observed every year on March 20th.
March 20th was chosen to reflect the importance of the number 20 in oral health. Children should have 20 baby teeth, and seniors should aim to have at least 20 of their natural teeth.
World Oral Health Day was launched by the FDI World Dental Federation in 2007 to raise awareness about oral health and its impact on overall health.
For 2026 the motto “A Happy Mouth is…A Happy Life” inspires lasting, positive change by showing the vital role oral health plays in living a healthier, happier life; which begins in childhood.
Oral health is a crucial component of overall health.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to a range of issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, and even systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Systemic disease in adulthood can be traced back to childhood habits.
A positive mouth-body connection ultimately shows how oral health supports well being throughout life.
Oral health matters at every age and stage of life. From a baby’s first tooth to a confident smile in older age, oral health is far more than just healthy teeth. It shapes how we eat, speak, learn, work, and connect with one another.
Oral health is essential to living life to the fullest. It is inseparable from overall health, influencing both body and mind.
At its core is prevention, simple daily habits and regular check ups that can make a lifelong difference.
Celebrating World Oral Health Day is celebrating every life, young and old. Because feeling your best starts with a healthy smile, every day and at every age.
It’s important to prioritize your child’s and your oral health for a very good reason, a healthy mouth is the gateway to a healthy, happy life.
What are your thoughts? Do you think there is a connection between a healthy mouth and a healthy body? Do you believe oral health plays a vital role in living a healthier, happier life? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
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When it’s snuggle time with your child, you expect your child’s breath to smell as sweet as they are. While children’s breath can be very sweet, there are times when your toddler to teen’s breath is plain stinky.
Bad breath, also known as Halitosis not uncommon in children. A comprehensive 2014 study found 37.6% of children have bad breath.
As a pediatric dentist I’m routinely asked about this by parents. Most of the time the conversation starts with: Why does my child’s breath smell so bad?, or The white gunk on my child’s tongue smells really bad, or My teenager is really uncomfortable about their breath.
Today I have answers for you about what causes halitosis, how to take care of it and when it needs to be evaluated by your pediatric dentist or your pediatrician.
Halitosis is the medical term for chronic bad breath.
Everyone, even children get bad breath from time to time. Especially after eating stinky foods like garlic, onions or other strong odor foods.
But if bad breath is ongoing or doesn’t resolve, it could be a sign of an oral health issue or something else going on in their body.
Bad breath isn’t usually a sign of something serious. But if it doesn’t get better despite changes you make to address it, it’s time to see the pediatric dentist or pediatrician.
Everyone breathes through their mouths once in a while, especially when it’s cold and flu season. Even then you’ll notice that your mouth feels dry and chapped.
This is because breathing through the mouth, and especially for children who breathe through their mouths every night when they sleep do dry out their mouth. The drying effect is due to a decrease in saliva production. Less saliva means more dry mouth.
What else can cause mouth breathing? Something stuck in their nose, congestion from a sinus infection, seasonal allergies, or certain medicines like an asthma inhaler. When any of these issues show no signs of resolving anytime soon, it’s time to see your pediatrician.
Tonsillitis is an infection that makes the tonsils appear red and swollen. It occurs due to viruses or bacteria.
On the other hand, enlarged tonsils and adenoids can cause bad breath when they trap nasal secretions, food particles, and bacteria.
Tonsil stone(s) sit on the surface of the tonsil(s). With time it attaches food and bacteria. Since you can’t reach it to clean, what’s on it stays there and attracts more and more. This is the time to see your pediatrician.
Drinking the right amount of water is important to keep your child’s body hydrated. Being well hydrated means that their salivary glands are producing the correct amount of saliva which in turn helps to cleanse their mouth and teeth, helping them to have fresh breath.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research states that saliva helps clean the mouth. When children don’t drink enough water, the amount of saliva in their mouth’s decreases. Less saliva leads a decrease the natural ability to clean our mouths. and an increase in the odor causing bacteria in our mouths.
Poor oral hygiene can cause smelly breath even in children as young as toddlers. The most common places for food debris to hang out is in-between teeth, on the gums, and also on the tongue.
Food debris is more than left over particles of food, it is also the mouth bacteria that attaches onto the food, and all of this together make up what we call dental plaque (or plaque for short).
Ever notice a white coating on your child’s tongue? That’s the plaque that attaches to the natural crevices on their tongue. You know that if the plaque is on the tongue, it’s for sure on the teeth and gums.
Did you know that bacteria causes cavities? Yes they do.
The natural bacteria in the mouth latch onto the plaque. The longer this sits on the teeth and in-between the teeth the more the tooth enamel is broken down, which is how cavities are formed and grow.
Cavities keep growing and the larger it gets the more likely it is to cause an infection. When the infection forms more types of bacteria come to the site and since these bacteria have their own smell the mouth gets even smellier.
If your child has a loose crown or filling, food and bacteria can get trapped underneath, which can also cause bad breath.
The same plaque that sits on the teeth, in-between teeth and on the tongue also sits on the gums and causes their breath to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. Also known as gingivitis, this causes the gums to become red, swollen and bleed during toothbrushing.
Some of the foods we really like are good for us and are happy our children want to eat can cause smelly breath. The most talked about are onions and garlic.
So what to do? After enjoying your oniony-garlicky delights, your child can rinse their mouth with water, brush their teeth, or chew sugar-free gum to freshen up their breath.
The sugar free gum helps to stimulate saliva production to naturally help cleanse their mouths.
Your child may have bad breath if they have certain medical conditions, such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, or other respiratory infections.
If your child has a serious medical condition such as diabetes, kidney disease, gastrointestinal issues, liver disease they may also experience chronic bad breath.
Some children, especially toddlers like to put things into their nose, whether it’s a tiny toy, something they find, or bits of food.
When something gets put into the nose, it causes an increase in nasal secretions like a runny nose, inflammation and a bad smell that can be mistaken for bad breath. This is the time to seek immediate medical attention.
Children can have halitosis for several reasons, and the approach to treatment depends on the cause.
Sometimes it’s a trip to your pediatrician to make sure everything is okay; or sometimes it’s your pediatric dentist you contact.
Sometimes what you’re doing at home is the solution to taking care of your child’s bad breath.
Toothbrushing twice a day in the morning before going to school and at night after flossing. Remember to brush their tongue and use a fluoride toothpaste to help reduce the risk of cavities;
Toothbrush bristles wear down with regular twice daily use and should be changed every 3 months to make sure your child’s teeth are properly cleaned so their breath can stay fresh;
Or use a 2 minute brushing timer;
Brush teeth together and establish your daily routine.
Most children and teenagers have bad breath when they wake up. This usually goes away after they have something to eat, drink and brush their teeth.
Key ways to prevent bad breath for your child is to:
However, there are times when you’re concerned because your child’s bad breath doesn’t go away no matter what you do. This is the time for you to talk with your pediatric dentist or pediatrician.
Have you noticed your child’s breath lately? Are you worried your child may have bad breath? Has your child asked you how their breath smells? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
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