Bad Breath in 5 year old - Children's Health Message Board

KimberlyV · 03-05-2002, 07:23 PM

I would sure appreciate it if someone could help me out with this one. My 5 year old daughter constantly has very bad breath. She brushes 2 times in a row every morning, and every night before bed. She scrubs her tongue and we have even done it for her. Nothing seems to help. It has been like this for a long long time, but the doctor doesn't seem to have any idea why it is like this. Any ideas as to why she has this problem or what I can do for her? Thanks! Kim

CLee · 03-05-2002, 08:17 PM

Kim, does she have any sinus problems, or sore throats??? I was just wondering. My daughter (almost 7) has been diagnosed with Recurring fever Syndrome, where she gets a fever and an array of symptoms every 4-6 weeks (not every child has them at those intervals) and I think our other daughter is starting with them. One thing they ALWAYS get when they get sick is VERY foul breath. They mention sore throats durring these illnesses and there has been some effectivness in other patients having toncills removed also.ANYWAY.... Maybe this gives you someplace to look!! Cindy (if you are interseted in more info on the fevers, there is some on this "healthboards" under "rare dissorders, PFAPA")

BBMom · 03-07-2002, 12:58 PM

I heard that if they have big tonsils, and if they sleep with their mouth open at night, this could be a cause for bad breath. My daughter also has bad breath...we never had her tonsils out because she doesn't get sore throats very often, but she does have big tonsils and she snores at night. Just a thought.

girlie1112000 · 03-07-2002, 03:07 PM

I have the same problem. I began to notice it when I was in my pre-teens and it was very hard to deal with. I have terrific oral hygiene so it was frustrating to constantly have bad breath. It wasn't until I was about 18 that a dr finally cleared it up for me. It was my sinuses. Anytime that I have sinus drainage it causes horrible breath. I make sure that I sleep with a humidifier to alleviate any sinus problems and I always have breath mints on me. It is just one of the extra things I have to worry about, but I don't let it bug me too much. I have close friends and now a loving husband who are honest and caring enough to politely pass me a mint when needed. My advice, is to ask her dr about any sinus, allergy, or throat problems and don't make her feel like it is something so terrible that it causes her to feel insecure about it.

Carrie

SusanM · 03-20-2002, 10:48 AM

Strep can cause bad breath. You might want to get her checked for it.