19 Month with Bad Breath

He might be getting tonsil-stones (or tonsilloliths). Does the bad breath actually kind of smell like poop? Basically because of the way the skin folds in the back of the throat with some people, little bits of food can get caught and then bacteria grows. I get them from time to time so I wash out the back of my throat with an oral syringe (I'm not sure how you'd handle it with a 19 month-old).

My youngest had the most horrible breath too...when I spoke to the peds doc about this, she whipped out her light, looked up my daughter's nose + told me she had a sinus infection...made me feel like a horrible mother because her breath had stunk for months + I never even thought it would be because she was sick...never acted like she was + seemed to be able to breathe just fine. You might want to check to see if this is your son's problem, too.

Brushing your child's gums and teeth 3 to 6 times daily seems excessive and might make his mouth quite sensitive. You ought to consult with your pediatrican and/or a pediatric dentist on this issue. Considering how often you are cleaning your son's mouth, the breath problems could be about something else other than hygeine.

You could try a pediatric dentist, we go to Dr. Ternisky who has offices in McLean and Reston. They saw my little one at 18 months when he had a problem with his teeth. They might be more expensive but it sounds like you need the help - could be a rotten molar or something...###-###-####

My daughter started having bad breath around 19 months. I took her to the doctor and she told it was the result of colds, then later it was sinus drainage. It wasn't until she was 3 that a doctor finally took a close look at her tonsils and found out they were enlarged. She sent me to an ear nose and throat specialist who told me that toddlers most often have bad breath due to enlarged tonsils and bacteria getting caught in there. Sometimes it's sinus related, but that also is something an ear nose and throat specialist can help you with. My daughter had her tonsils removed and they found lots of bacteria built up behind her tonsils. She has been sick far less now, sleeps better, and doesn't have bad breath. Hope this helps!

I live in MD and I have taken my 18mth old to the dentist. She was able to count her teeth. Of course they are not going to do any cleaning, but I'm sure they can advise you on what to do. I would call around and make sure that it is a Child dentistry.

Hope this helps

JW

pediatric dentists absolutely take children younger than that. Ideally (though not many of us do this) they should see a dentist when the first tooth comes in. I'm waaay behind...
Anyways, if you look for a *pediatric* dentist in your area, they should be able to help.

Brushing six times a day is too much -- he will begin to resist and when it's time for him to start brushing on his own, he may be very difficult about it; twice a day should be enough. This may not be a mouth or dental issue at all; he may have digestive issues or even food allergies that are causing the smell. Talk to your pediatrician about this. Bear in mind that some of us, like me, are super-sensitive to smells, and it may be that what seems like dreadful bad breath to you isn't nearly as bad to someone else, so get others to check his breath and see what they think. But I'd still talk to his doctor.

Pediatric dentists recommend bringing children in around 18 mos. I don't know where you're located but there is one in Perry Hall who comes highly recommended. Their number is ###-###-####

I suspect it's something systemic. Either an infection or the result of his system not breaking down food completely. I'd look @ digestive enzymes. They have some for children, as well as acidophilus to help keep normal flora in his system.
L. M

Bad breath is often do to digestive issues. It isn't a tooth issue. He may be allergic to something he is eating. I would do searches on bad breath, digestion, stomach, etc.

Bad breath can also be caused by sinus infection, you may not see a runny nose, it may all go down his throat. My oldest started seeing a pediatric dentist in Frederick MD at 18 months. They were wonderful help for us and did great with the kids (who sit in your lap). We went to Frederick Pediatric Dentist (Dr. Camacho).

Good luck.

I think you are brushing way too much. You are getting rid of all the good bacteria and this might be worsening the bad breath!!!

Also, you are going to hurt his sensitive little gums. And he will come to hate brushing and dental exams. At this age, you aren't even really going to be too effective at cleaning sometimes, it is more about the routine and habbit forming of brushing every day.

A good pediatric dentist will probably see him now. I took my daughter for her first visit at two and she did great. The dentist will only do as much of an exam as the child allows but at least will count teeth and look for structural problems. A dentist could at least tell you if the baby's breath is really a concern. You could also ask your pediatrician. Sometimes, bad breath can indicate an underlying health issue, but usually not something I think about with a baby.

Babies do get bad breath sometimes, especially if they are sick or if they are going through a stage where their diets are limited (like only wanting to eat yogurt for a week). I wouldn't worry too much.

But please stop brushing his teeth so much!!

hey lh, i'm not sure what's causing the bad breath but i just wanted to let you know that my 14 month old had to go see his pediatric dentist at 10 months to remove stains from his vitamin drops. in fact they now want him to come in every six months just like my other kids for regular check ups. so i don't think it's too early to go see a dentist if it really bothers you that much. hope that helps oh and by the way his name is dr. michael hasty w/children's denstistry in chesapeake.

Have him checked by his pediatrician. I just learned that my toddler has "pitted tonsils" which can trap food particles and cause bad breath.

I have no idea what could be causing this, other than sometimes if their breath is very sweet or very salty, it can be a symptom of a major medical problem like CF, so if you're concerned with anything else, talk to your doctor. Otherwise, look for a pediatric dentist and make and appt., my son first went at 20 months because he went to my dentist with me one day and she looked and suggested that he see his because of the way his back teeth were coming in. The dentist didn't say anything about his age or his ability to spit. If you're in the C'ville area, Dr. Michel (the dentist not the pediatrician) is a great office. Good luck!!

you could try "growing smiles" in Bel Air. they are a pediatric dentist and they have said they will see kids as soon as they have teeth. They have been really good with my kids.
L.

sounds like it could be post nasal drip. Obviously, you brush the child's teeth enough,..so that shouldnt be the problem. Does your child have any allergy symptoms? Post nasal drip definitely creates odor and the only way to get rid of that is to treat the allergy. All of my children went through this same thing; a natural way to treat it is saline mist through the nasal passages....but a 19 month old may not like that too much. You can also try irrigating w/ water to flush out the passages and back of the throat; and bring it up at the next well baby check; hope this helps.

Hi,
Honestly the last time that happened to my daughter she had thrush - I thought it was odd because I thought you could only get it as an infant but I was wrong. The dentist that you contacted was it a pediatric dentist or just the one you see as an adult. A pediatric one may have an idea - also see what your pediatrician may recommend as well. Good Luck