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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by spriggy on September 14, 2005, at 11:50:43
My sweet little 6 year old (bless his heart) just has the worst breath. LOL
He's had a few kids' make a comment (even though I brush his teeth AND Tongue before school every morning). Within a few hours after he's had his teeth brushed, his breathe starts to smell again.
Does anyone know what I could do for him? He's at the age where these things really start to bother him.
( I put a little packet of mints in his pocket but he "forgets" about them).
Posted by Deneb on September 14, 2005, at 14:21:21
In reply to chronic bad breathe (my 6 year old), posted by spriggy on September 14, 2005, at 11:50:43
Hmmm...
Maybe your son should have a visit to the dentist or doctor.
I've read that sometimes bad breath could be caused by certain infections and systemic illnesses. It's probably very unlikely for a 6 yr old, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.
Sometimes I get bad breath when I don't eat or drink anything for a long time...maybe he has a dry mouth? Does he tend to breath through his mouth?
I know mouth washes aren't recommended for little kids, but maybe he could try some Listerine or something with your supervision? Maybe give him a pack of sugar free chewing gum to keep his saliva flowing?
Deneb
Posted by ed_uk on September 14, 2005, at 15:51:13
In reply to chronic bad breathe (my 6 year old), posted by spriggy on September 14, 2005, at 11:50:43
Hi spriggy,
AFAIK, bad breath is usually due to dental problems. What does the dentist say?
~Ed
Posted by rainbowbrite on September 14, 2005, at 17:00:09
In reply to chronic bad breathe (my 6 year old), posted by spriggy on September 14, 2005, at 11:50:43
the food and water thing is true but it could also be from a stomach problem, or other medical problems. Isnt there something about teething and breath? Maybe he is getting some new teeth? Do they at that age...Id go to the dentist or doctor about it.
Floss maybe?
Posted by Sarah T. on September 15, 2005, at 1:45:34
In reply to chronic bad breathe (my 6 year old), posted by spriggy on September 14, 2005, at 11:50:43
Hi there, Spriggy,
A few years ago I read that most cases of chronic bad breath are caused by sinus infections. Perhaps you could schedule an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor (otolaryngologist) to see whether there is some infection festering in his sinuses. I also read that many sinus infections are caused by fungi, not bacteria, so that the use of antibiotics may not be the most effective treatment. Didn't you say that you had a bad mold/fungus problem in your house? I believe you said that problem is cleaned up now, but some of the mold spores might have taken up residence in your child's sinuses months ago. If the sinuses are blocked due to bone structure or swelling, then the infection just can't clear out.
Other possible culprits causing bad breath are digestive problems and dental problems, such as food stuck in between the teeth or dental decay. Does your child use dental floss? Years ago, I had a friend who didn't floss. He had terrible breath. He would eat meat, and pieces of meat would remain stuck between his teeth and start to smell. I did get him to start flossing regularly.
I hope you can get to the root of the problem. I think mouth washes aren't much good, except for the first few minutes after you use them. I do think it would be a good idea to get his sinuses checked.
Posted by lunesta on September 29, 2005, at 20:10:33
In reply to chronic bad breathe (my 6 year old), posted by spriggy on September 14, 2005, at 11:50:43
check for candida overgrowth (white coating) nystatin is good andsafe for this. otherwise, make sure he isnt dehydrated in electrolytes etc... give him pedialyte for a week to test that.
Posted by Sarah T. on October 9, 2005, at 0:00:11
In reply to chronic bad breathe (my 6 year old), posted by spriggy on September 14, 2005, at 11:50:43
As Rainbowbrite said, bad breath can also be caused by stomach problems. I just read that ulcers can cause bad breath. By the way, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was just awarded to two doctors who discovered that ulcers are caused by bacteria, H. pylori. Prior to the early 1980's, stress was thought to cause ulcers. Ulcers can be cured with antibiotics.
This is the end of the thread.
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