Childhood Halitosis

We help patients of all ages with all sorts of oral health needs at the New Hyde Park dental office of Dr. Amit Pandya. Adults aren’t the only people who get bad breath, and when children get it, there may be some specific issues which need to be addressed for their oral health as well as their social prospects.

Halitosis, as bad breath is scientifically called, is the result of excessive bacterial growth in the mouth and throat. There may be some condition which is allowing bacteria to grow or preventing the body from fighting infection, but in most cases, the problem is simple lack of hygiene. Children sometimes have difficulty brushing every tooth surface and on their tongues for a full two minutes. These children will require more teaching and supervision and may benefit from the use of an electric toothbrush.

The most common condition which would contribute to halitosis is dry mouth. Besides making it harder to remove food debris, dry mouth disrupts the mouth’s optimal acidity level, hampering the immune system. This could be caused by diabetes or medications, such as those commonly used for psychiatric conditions. Children are also particularly prone to nasal infections, which could result in drip accumulating in their throats and feeding bacteria. Non-alcoholic mouthwash could help with this problem.

The office of Amit Pandya, DDS, is at 1575 Hillside Ave, Suite 207, New Hyde Park, New York, 11040. To schedule an appointment, call 516-233-2135, or visit his website at Going Grin and fill out a contact sheet.