My 10 year old son seems to have horrible horrible bad breath.
He brushes good in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before bed, but has this horrible bad breath.
I notice mostly in the morning after brushing.
What causes this?
What can we do to prevent it and/or get rid of it?
I am guessing his teachers think he does not brush before school cause that is how bad it is.
I bought my son a tongue scrapper and that seems to be helping.
When he goes to the dentist next, I will ask them about it.
Thanks for all the helpful information.
Does he still have his tonsils? If so, he may have some throat or tonsil stones..
They are these little white nodules that get stuck back there in the tonsils.. They can be gargled out or sometimes lightly brushing back there can dislodge them..
My daughter has bad breath also. She is taking after my husband. It is tonsil stones. I don't know if this is your son, but i have a feeling it is. They build up in the tonsils and they stink! Sometimes they come out on their own and sometimes they have to pick them out. My husband had his tonsils out and it is much better. I am seriously considering having my daughters tonsils out also. Maybe you can see an ENt doctor and get his opinion? Hope i helped a little.
Two possible causes:
1) Have him brush his tongue. Make sure he gets back far on his tongue and has lots of toothpaste. My dentist just told me that 80-something percent of bad breath is from gunk on the tongue.
2) Look at his tonsils. I've written long posts on tonsil stones and cryptic tonsils, and I don't want to repeat it. Just google it. It's white stuff that forms around tonsils and it smells like death.
Does he brush/scrape his tongue? That might help.
Bad breath can also be caused by post-nasal drip or a deviated septum - until you find out the cause it is difficult to determine how to treat it. I would check with dentist first, and then possibly an ENT.
Definately take him to the dentist. If the problem is not rectified after taking him to the dentist, then take him to the doctor. This is not normal and should not be ignored.
It might be intestinal. You might want to call your pediatric advice nurse and ask what she thinks. I had a son like that too. He brushed and gargled all the time... I never took him to the doc and he's fine now.... but I prolly should have checked it out back in the day.
gum disease get him to the dentist
is this suddenly or has it been going on for awhile?
my son has it when he has a sinus infection or cold/allergies that cause lots of post nasal drip. Has he been sick? It could be something he is eating even though he is brushing if he likes lots of strong spicey tasting foods that can do it. He may not be drinking enough. It could be lots of things.
You can also use a tongue scraper to clean the tongue. Also have him use a dental care line that used tea tree oil. including a mouthwash and have him gargle with it for a few moments. So even if it is the tonsil stones- this should take care of them. And if it is a gum issue, the tea tree oil is recommended by dentists. Keep us updated!
Does he floss daily? Might be some food trapped in there!
