Are your Sinus Problems the cause of your Bad Breath?
One cause of bad breath that I’ve previously mentioned on this blog is from mucus from the nose dripping down into the mouth and lodging at the back of the throat causing an odour. If this is the cause of your bad breath, what can you do about it?
There are a few different ways you can deal with this problem:
- Use a sinus medication that is designed to dry up the nasal cavities.
- Irrigate the nasal passages with a salt water (saline) mix. This is helpful for clearing out excess mucus and the salt helps fight bacteria naturally and safely.
- Use oral care products that have been oxygenated. These are great for postnasal drip problems and can help get rid of the excess mucus that causes bad breath.
What causes this bad breath?
The problem is caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria which produces the mucus and phlegm that then drains into your throat and causes an odor. These nasal bacteria love to feed on high protein / high fat foods like milk, cheese and dairy products.
Usually this problem only occurs when you are already run down or unwell (which is why most sinus problems and sinusitis is worse when you are already sick). Sinusitis can also cause inflammation of the nasal passages which then attracts more bacteria, and the problem continues.
If you do have a postnasal drip problem then there are many great nasal sprays on the market that can help. Try and avoid any with the chemical benzalkonium in it as this has been reported to worsen sinus conditions and therefore bad breath. A simple saline solution like I’ve mentioned above will do the job just as well, be safer and much less expensive.
While you are trying to clear up your sinus passages, you should also keep up a good oral care routine using products that are antibacterial. They can help remove excess bacteria in your mouth and the back of the throat making sure that your bad breath is under control.
If your condition persists, it’s worth seeing your health care professional to see if there is any other problems that could be contributing to your bad breath.