DS (5) has bad breath

[Curlybrunette]

Hi all,

I am writing to ask your advice, my ds (5 next month) sometimes has really bad breath, today for instance when we came out of school he was sat in the front of the car next to me and (play) shouted at me and I felt physically sick it was so bad.

I clean his teeth and tongue after breakfast and before bed, but have noticed in a morning that even though we've done his teeth within a few minutes his breath smells.

It has been like this for a while (at least a couple of months) and he isn't at all unwell so I don't think it's tonsillitis or a virus. His breath just smells awful, not like pear drops (I know this can be a sign of diabetes).

Don't know whether I sound awful but because he doesn't appear poorly in any way I am actually more worried about him being picked on at school about it. I have tried to suggest to him that whilst at school he drinks his water quite regularly. I have said this will 'freshen his mouth' as I don't want to worry him by saying his breath smells.

At home he will only drink cordial (I make it very weak) and he does drink a lot. At school they only drink water so I aren't sure whether he drinks much or not.

Thanks
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Ask your dentist

Any sinus issues? Other causes of bad breath besides the obvious teeth,are tonsils,or digestive problems,so I would ask your GP if the dentist says his teeth look fine.My daughter only has bad breath with a sore throat,and then its a distinctive smell,so the GP may have more of an idea from the type of smell.

We're due to see the dentist during half term so I'll ask then.

I think I'll make an appointment to see our GP too, could his tonsils cause a smell even if he doesn't appear to be ill with tonsillitis?

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Is he snoring too? How about coughing at night?

No confuddled I wouldn't say he particularly snores nor coughs

Has he had tonsillitis in the past? That can leave the tonsils enlarged and prone to getting tonsil stones which smell foul. If you get him to open wide and shine a torch at the back of his mouth you might be able to spot them - they take a while to work themselves out, but sometimes pop out if you cough or sneeze.

But could be some hidden tooth problem as well.

Thank you exexpat, I'll have a look, though I can't recall him ever having tonsillitis, he did have about 4 ear infection within a year when he was 2 ish, could this be anything to do with it do you think?

I'm not a medic, but I think the ears/eustachian tubes and tonsils are all part of the same system, so it could be related. But probably best to ask the doctor and dentist.

The ears are connected to the throat so possible to be related.

My question was about postnasal drip. My daughter was put on piriton for it, when she's bad she snores and coughs a lot when lying down. She has dark eyes because her sleep is so disturbed because of it.

Had absolutely same problem with DS1. Really really powerfully bad breath. Had him referred to ENT specialist, who said DS had 'islands of bacteria' at the back of his throat. Said reason was a 'low grade allergy' - allergic rhinitis? Nothing to do with hygiene or teeth.

Can't identify what he is allergic too, though both he and DS2 have propsensity to having blocked noses and ear infections.

Was worried DS1 wold be teased/excluded. Consultant prescribed steroid drops, but as problem was sporadic, didn;t use them but felt happier we knew what it was and had route to follow if it caused problems. Consultant also said try nasal salt sprays, gargling with salt water and making sure he drinks plenty of fluids.

Good news is he has totally grown out of it, simply doesn't happen any more.

Good luck with sorting it out.

No I wouldn't say his sleep is disturbed, he wakes up a little early for my liking but does usually get a solid 11 hours!

I'll definitely book him an appointment at the doctors

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