Should toddlers have bad breath?

[LaCerbiatta]

My dd (2) sometimes has bad breath in the morning, specially if her nose is blocked. Is it normal? I worry it might be a sign of something more serious, like diabetes? She is very well otherwise, so I'd find it hard to believe, but should I take her to doctors anyway?
I'm also careful with her teeth. They're brushed practically everyday and I try that she doesn't have sweets and doesn't eat between meals.

Sometimes bad breath is also a sign of digestive problems, if people are seriously constipated they get breath that stinks like sh** because they are so backed up. If its a morning thing its likely due to the bacteria that's been working overtime in your little one's mouth overnight.

I can't understand how toothpaste manufacturers would say once a day was sufficient. Twice a day is a must imo.

Toothpaste manufactures say once a day because floride is a posion and dangerous for children to be having.
We use a non flouride toothpaste because DS like to brush his teeth all day

Then it shouldn't be in any toothpaste! It is only poisonous in large amounts.

its banned in other countries and it is still a poison in any amount just not a leathel one in small amounts

constipation?

My DD gets this. The paediatrician said it happens when they breathe through the mouth, speecially at night, and mucous membranes dry out. DD gets it often after having a cold and it can stay around for ages. Saline drops help but the best thing is using a nebuliser (they use them a lot here, I live in Italy, not sure if they're quite so common in UK)

give 'em garlic, then they've got an excuse.

Ds's tends to smell a bit, well, like bad fish paste. Not sure why.

Fluoride is a poison but also necessary to build strong teeth. I don't see the point in using a toothpaste without it tbh. I prefer to brush dds teeth once a day only.

I was actually going to ask the dentist about giving her fluoride supplements, I think it's ok from 2 years. Many people think it's outrageous that the water here is not supplmented (I don't know enough about it to have an opinion), so I worry she doesn't get enough...

Thanks Sputnik, I think that's what dd has. What is a nebuliser? Is it like a humidifier?

Normal to have bad breath in the am particularly if have a blocked nose. Reason is exactly as Sputnik explained....lack of saliva. If one breathes through ones mouth, it will become drier. Saliva has mild anti-bacterial properties, and the lack of it will cause an increase in the amount of bacteria causing bad breath. Just make sure his teeth are brushed well with a low-flouride toothpast in am and pm.

yes, if fluoride is the thing you're worrying about get some non-fluoride stuff to brush twice a day, or brush with that the second time - I do thin k twice brushing is vital - ds has always done this and he is 10 without any fillings (touch wood)

If you don't like to brush her teeth twice a day with Flouride t/p I would recommend you brush once without anything at all.

By the age of 2 (if not before) children should have their teeth brushed twice a day. before bed & after breakfast, it is the most effective way to control plaque build up.

The smell is more likely to be if she mouth breathes. I do this & have smelly breath in the AM, no matter how well I brush the night before.

TBH, the best thing is good oral hygiene & a good diet, fluoride suppliments aren't always necessary. They can cause problems if used too much.

Sorry, not clear...once a day with the toothpaste & once a day with nothing but water.

I think that in the morning you should brush yourb teeth before breakfast, not after. I saw a doctor on TV once explain that in the morning teeth are sensitive and more 'exposed' so food, specially juice and sugary foods will have a worse effect. If teeth are brushed first then the fluoride in the paste will build a protective layer.

that's good news- I usually brush my teeth first thing, before breakfast - think dh does it before and after !!
Ds used to be a bit manic at teeth cleaning and brush sdo vigourously and for so long that I'd hav e to tell him to stop and he got through many brushes, all flattened !

Brushing before breakfast means that the bacteria that your breakfast generates are sitting on your teeth ALL DAY! There fore they have 12 hours (or more) to have a detrimental affect on your teeth. Not good. At last if you brush after eating your will won't have bacteria on them all day.

Sugar & juice are amoungst the worse things for teeth anyway, so your teeth will always be exposed to them.

Fluoride doesn't work in a single hit. But also, as soon as you eat/drink your breakfast you have washed that 'protective layer' away...so what good is it anyway?

After breakfast brushing has been recommended by all the dentists I have worked for & alot of others too!

It makes more sense!

your teeth won't

And really, doctors don't actually KNOW that much about teeth anyway!

Havn't read all of thread so don't know if it's been mentioned but my dd suffers very regularly with constipation and she gets bad breath with it, I think because she's so blocked up and it backs up.

Hubby brought home some smilers 0-2 toothpoaste for the baby and it does say brush twice a day.

the colgate smiles toothpaste, does say use once a day, and dh is paranoid about it (we live in an area with fluorided water) so we use just water once a day, and toothpaste at night.

Well, went to the dentist (for me) yesterday and asked his opinion. He said: from 2 years old, brush 2x a day with adult toothpaste, that that's the reccomendation now. In the morning use 1mm of toothpaste and let dd brush herself so she gets used to it and at night use 2mm and do it myself so it's done properly. He also said to indeed brush after breakfast.

I think sandcastles is probably right. Doctors don't really know too much about it....

Not sure which toothpaste you have them, EPPM< as ours def says twice.

NAB: read here on FAQ and tips, question nr 2.