4 year old with bad breath

[suzikettles]

I've recently noticed (in the last few days) that ds's breath is not great. His teeth are brushed twice a day and I've had a look - no evidence of anything obvious decay-wise in his mouth.

Anyone come across this?

[Itsjustafleshwound]

Sore throat? Tonsils?

[suzikettles]

I've tried to get a look at his tonsils because I suffered badly from enlarged tonsils and adenoids when I was a child (finally had them removed at 13). There's no redness and he says nothing's sore.

I will take him to the doctor obv if it goes on.

[sprinkles77]

1. Is the brushing thorough? Checking properly means using disclosing tablets as well as brushing the tongue. Flossing would be ideal, but probably not realistic in a 4 year old.
   

1. take him to a dentist to exclude tooth decay and gingivitis.
   

1. Recent respiratory infections can cause bad breath: coughs and colds, chest infections, sinus infections, and yes tonsillitis, especially if chronic.
   

1. digestive upset can cause halitosis too: reflux, frequent vomiting and even constipation. Obviously diet has an influence too as with adults.
   

1. a very dry mouth can also cause halitosis: if he's done lots of sport etc and not drunk enough, if he breathes through his mouth, if he is taking any medications that make his mouth dry.
   

HTH

[bulby]

Bad breath is the sure sign dd has a cold/throat infection. It could knock you flat sometimes!

[suzikettles]

Brushing is pretty thorough. I still do it for him and let him have a go himself either before or after I do it myself.

We've got a routine dentist appointment in 2 weeks so will ask her then.

No recent colds, but he has a tendency to breathe through his mouth (as did I until I had my tonsils/adenoids removed) which I guess would make his mouth dry. This is a new thing though.

Thanks for all the ideas. I guess it's got to be one of them.

[mousymouse]

my ds gets bad breath when he is not drinking enough. sometime I have to remind him or he would only drink very little.

[HSMM]

Mouth breathing is a common cause of bad breath.

[suzikettles]

Hmm, thanks. He's not a massive drinker and as I'm not either I don't tend to push it. I'll try to get him to up the liquids for a few days and see if that make a difference.

[StealthPolarBear]

Yes, DS (4) has this too and I ave been meaning to start a thread. On and off he's had it for a while but worse when he has a cold. He was at the dentist in June/July time, all fine.
he doesn't drink much either, esp if playing, I am constantly reminding him to drink water. Might try to up that.