In a way, it seems odd. As everyone’s noticed at one point or other, babies never brush their teeth. And yet babies usually don’t have any kind of unpleasant odor coming from their mouth. In fact, the breath of babies is naturally sweet - at least most of the time. Even so, some small children and even a few babies have been known to suffer from bad breath.

One common type of foul smell associated with bad breath in children comes from throat and mouth infections, a signature odor particularly recognizable to mothers.

Very young children can sometimes also have a bad odor coming from the back of their tongues, which is thought to be associated with post-nasal drip. Tooth trouble from lengthy sessions with a bottle containing milk or juice, or overall poor dental hygiene, can also lead to bad breath in some children and teenagers, both of which often find it difficult to impossible to clean the backs of their tongues properly.

Curing bad breath in children is difficult, given the heightened sensitivity many children feel regarding their tongue and gums. The average child is totally unwilling to use a tongue scraper due to the discomfort and unfamiliar sensations involved.

Practical tips for young children and spouses with bad breath

Just as the dentist or school nurse continually tells us, children should brush their teeth properly at least twice a day, using the circular brushing motions that have usually been demonstrated to them in school. In case of small babies, a full-sized toothbrush is obviously impractical, but you can substitute disposable cotton swabs or a clean piece of cloth.
Check for any unusual mouth odor in your baby or child every day. If you encounter any problems, contact your dentist. For older children, a nighttime gargle with a sodium chloride solution (salt water) may help reduce both bacteria levels and any infection that might be present.

Children aren’t the only ones who can turn up with a problematic case of bad breath, of course. Spouses can too — which needless to say, creates a difficult situation in any marriage. Bad breath can go so far as to ruin a close and personal relationship, since a spouse with careful personal hygiene will have great difficulty tolerating a partner with foul breath and a more cavalier attitude toward their teeth. Even a simple act like kissing can go out the window.

Which is why bad breath isn’t just a logistical problem, or a health problem — it can create stress and even rifts in intimate relationships. As a result, a foul-smelling mouth should never be ignored. The problem is important enough to deserve your close attention, as well as that of your dentist.