Thursday, March 18, 2010

Halitosis - Bad Breath



Bad breath can be an embarrassing problem for children, as well as parents. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a symptom of various conditions including: postnasal drip, dry mouth, dental problems, and sinusitis. Halitosis in children is often due to the decomposition of mucus secretions and debris which accumulate on the tongue, in the nose, and between the teeth.

A few causes of halitosis are dry mouth, build up on the back of the tounge, abcess or cavities, gingivitis, or oral fungal infection.

To diagnose your halitosis, you should see your dentist for an exam.

Some treatment includes brushing and flossing, including your tounge. In the case of dry mouth, rinse with water and drink lots of sugar free fluids. You should follow up with routiene hygeine visits with your dentist and see your physician regularly.