my baby is just 9month old and his breath smell bad...why does it smell like this?

Question

Accepted Answer

Bad breath in a 9-month-old baby can be caused by several factors:

Possible Causes & Solutions: 1. Poor Oral Hygiene Even though babies don’t have many teeth, bacteria can still build up.
✅ Solution: Wipe your baby’s gums and tongue daily with a soft, damp cloth. If teeth are present, use a baby toothbrush with a tiny bit of fluoride-free toothpaste. 2. Dry Mouth (Less Saliva Production) If your baby breathes through the mouth (due to a blocked nose), saliva production reduces, allowing bacteria to grow.
✅ Solution: Keep the baby hydrated, and use saline drops if the nose is blocked. 3. Teething Teething increases saliva but also leads to bacterial buildup.
✅ Solution: Clean the gums and teeth regularly, and offer teething toys. 4. Thrush (Oral Yeast Infection) White patches on the tongue, gums, or inner cheeks might indicate thrush, which can cause bad breath.
✅ Solution: If you notice white patches, consult a doctor for antifungal treatment. 5. Reflux (Silent Acid Reflux) If your baby frequently spits up or has reflux, stomach acids can cause bad breath.
✅ Solution: Keep the baby upright for 20-30 minutes after feeding, and check with a pediatrician if reflux is severe. 6. Respiratory or Throat Infection A cold, sinus infection, or tonsillitis can lead to bad breath.
✅ Solution: Check for congestion, fever, or throat redness. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor. 7. Foreign Object in Nose Sometimes, babies put small objects (like food or toys) in their nose, which can cause bad breath.
✅ Solution: Check the nostrils gently or consult a doctor if you suspect this. When to See a Doctor? If the bad breath is persistent and doesn’t improve with cleaning. If there are signs of infection (fever, congestion, sore throat). If you suspect reflux or digestive issues.

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