When a one-year-old baby has bad breath that resembles the smell of feces, the first thing to consider is oral hygiene. If the baby does not rinse their mouth after eating or does not consistently brush their teeth in the morning and evening, a significant amount of food residue may remain in the mouth. This residue, when fermented, can produce bad breath, sometimes with a smell similar to feces. Therefore, cultivating good hygiene habits in the baby is crucial, such as brushing teeth regularly and rinsing the mouth after meals, which helps reduce bad breath.
In addition to oral hygiene, attention should be paid to whether the baby has digestive system issues, such as indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea:
Indigestion may occur due to the baby’s digestive system not being fully mature, being affected by cold stimuli, or having an unreasonable diet, leading to impaired digestive function, causing food to remain in the stomach for too long and generating unpleasant odors due to intestinal bacteria. Parents should ensure the baby does not get cold and follow a gradual introduction of solid foods, choosing easily digestible options such as thin porridge, noodles, and so on. If necessary, consulting a doctor about using probiotics to help regulate gut flora and improve digestion can be beneficial.
In cases of constipation, food accumulates in the intestines, particularly the proteins in dairy products can produce ammonia under bacterial influence, which is released through the mouth, causing bad breath. Adding high-fiber vegetables and fruits, such as cabbage, spinach, yam, and sweet potatoes, to the complementary foods can promote intestinal peristalsis and alleviate constipation.
During diarrhea, pathogens in the intestines cause abnormal fermentation of food, leading to bloating accompanied by bad breath that smells like feces. Taking probiotics can help adjust the balance of gut flora. If diarrhea is severe to the point of watery stools, it is important to follow the doctor’s guidance for antidiarrheal treatment and adjust the baby’s diet to easily digestible liquids or semi-liquids, such as dairy products, rice soup, and thin porridge, while ensuring adequate fluid intake.
By implementing these measures, effective management and improvement of the bad breath problem in a one-year-old baby can be achieved.
