Let’s be honest, there are few things that are cuter than a baby who has two or three teeth popping up out of their gums. That not-quite-toothless grin could make anyone smile from ear to ear. But what’s the one thing that can diminish the endearing quality of a teething baby? Bad breath! Baby bad breath can also be a sign of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
At Children’s Dentistry of Las Vegas, Dr. Ben Salar and our entire staff love helping our youngest patients! If you find that your baby’s breath stinks when they’re teething, here are a few suggestions for how to help.
1. Check Their Mouth for a Foreign Object
First things first, check to make sure your baby doesn’t have a piece of food or a foreign object wedged between their cheek and gums. Sometimes, something small can sit in a pocket of the mouth, which emits an odor over time. Just identify the object and gently remove it. Simple!
2. Check for Dry Mouth
Does your child suffer from dry mouth? Baby bad breath caused by dry mouth can be the result of certain medications or of breathing through the mouth more than through the nose. A dry mouth means a lack of saliva, and that bacteria can’t naturally wash away. When a baby’s breath stinks, this bacteria buildup is often the root cause.
3. Check Their Tongue
Hopefully, you’re remembering to brush your child’s new teeth a couple of times a day for two minutes at a time. But are you remembering to brush their tongue as well? The tongue harbors countless odor-causing bacteria that sometimes get forgotten. Gently brush their tongue with a soft-bristled toothbrush for a few seconds at the same time you brush your child’s teeth.
4. Check with Their Pediatrician
Sometimes baby bad breath can emerge due to a cold, flu, or allergies. Bacteria in your child’s nose and throat could be causing unpleasant smelling breath. If you notice signs of any respiratory illness, consider calling your child’s pediatrician to see if they recommend that you schedule an appointment.
5. Check with Their Pediatric Dentist
If your baby’s breath stinks and there are no readily apparent reasons why this is occurring, it’s time to call your child’s pediatric dentist. Remember: your child should have their first dentist appointment within six months after their first tooth emerges or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. A pediatric dentist can help find any underlying issues for your baby’s bad breath.
Visit Children’s Dentistry of Las Vegas
When it’s time for your baby’s first checkup, make sure you schedule a consultation with Children’s Dentistry. We have ten neighborhood locations in the Las Vegas area, making it simple to schedule an appointment that’s convenient for your family.
All of our offices are currently accepting new patients, and each office works with dental insurance plans, including Medicaid. If you have any questions about baby bad breath when your child is teething, contact us for an appointment today.