Throughout the day, saliva washes away unwanted debris. As soon as a child falls asleep, saliva production drops, and the muscles relax resulting in "morning breath." If the odor is persisting through the day there are some common causes to think about:

• The most common cause is simply poor dental hygiene. Normal bacteria that live in the mouth interact with the leftover food particles. Bacteria, if left to stagnate and proliferate, can cause bad odor in a healthy child.

• Tooth decay can also be a reason. The child should be taken to visit the dentist regularly to have his teeth and gums examined.

• Eating certain foods, especially things like garlic and onions

• Postnasal drip from a cold, sinus infections, or allergies. Breathing through the mouth — due to a stuffy nose, for example — encourage the growth of the bacteria in his mouth.

• Bad breath can signal a throat infection.

• Bad breath could also be caused through sucking a pacifier or sucking the thumb. The object could have an odor from repeated exposure to saliva and oral bacteria. Try and make the child stop the sucking habit. Sterilize those items that he frequently sucks on.

• Toddlers often stuff items in their noses, and then forget about them. If this foreign body is left there, it can begin to rot or cause a surrounding infection.

If your child's bad breath doesn't improve with better dental hygiene, consult your Pediatrician or call 2356 for a further evaluation.