My son’s mouth odour

My 10-year-old son’s mouth odour worries me. Even when I brush his teeth for him (as I do now regularly) I still perceive the odour somehow. I also need your advice on what could be responsible for his teeth discoloration and what to do about it.

Babatunde (by SMS)

In most cases of persistent bad breath (halitosis), the smell comes from a build-up of germs (bacteria) within the mouth. These are in food debris, in plaque and gum disease, or in a coating on the back of the tongue. Good oral hygiene will often solve the problem. That is, regular teeth brushing, cleaning between the teeth, cleaning the tongue, and mouthwashes. It is equally important to check for the presence of foreign objects such as cotton buds or pieces of beans or corn in the nostril. Regarding the teeth discoloration, you may need to see a dentist for a proper advice on this.