Is Your Nasal Drip Giving You Bad Breath
The nose is used for breathing but it has another important function as well and that is filtering the air that goes into your lungs. It filters out the dust particles, bacteria and other pollutants on a daily basis. This is collected by the fine hair in your nose called cilia and then along with nasal mucus, goes into the back of the throat. In the stomach the bacteria is destroyed by acid. This is a normal bodily function and most people do not even pay attention to it because the mucus is virtually unnoticeable.
Postnasal drip is a continuous background process that many individuals are not even aware of. Without it, the mucus that collects dust and bacteria from the air we breathe will just sit there at the back of the throat. Eventually, anaerobic bacteria will find their way to the mucus and see it as a potential food source. When the bacteria breaks down this food, foul-smelling chemicals are released and when we exhale, this is translated into bad breath.
Anaerobic bacteria flourish in phlegm and mucus because these substances offer them protection from external threats, and provide them with nourishment that they need. Milk, dairy products and foods that are rich in protein are also very attractive to these anaerobic bacteria.
The sinus is also a home for the bacteria and protein which are found in the mucus. These are broken down into amino acids which is food for the bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria is thus in its element and can go ahead and produce the sulfur compounds which cause bad breath. People who are ill with colds and flu typically have a lot of mucus and may also suffer from bad breath.
Many medicines to treat the problem of cold and flue dry the sinus and nose drips and prevent build up of mucus. Antihistamines are among these medicines. Your nose clears up and it is great to be able to breathe properly again. However, anti-allergy medicines usually also cause a dry mouth which is a major cause of bad breath because it becomes like an oxygen free environment which the bacteria love. When you hare taking antihistamines, you should also be drinking plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. And you should also chew sugarless gum and suck sugarless lozenges to maintain the flow of saliva so that you can avoid a dry mouth and its unpleasant consequences.
Keeping the mucus thin is important. Obviously it is quite uncomfortable to have a chunk of gunk hanging at the back of your throat that you cannot expel. One of the other ways to thinning the mucus is through enjoying a hot shower or sauna and keeping the air moist with a humidifier. You can also add herbs to the water in the humidifier to help you rest. Hot liquids, which seem to be very soothing especially during the winter months, will help thin out the mucus. Try peppermint tea and broths or soups because these are often beneficial in relieving postnasal drip.
If you want relief, you can tray a nasal sinus formula or an irrigator to flush out the sinuses, to minimize the post nasal drip. Nasal sinus drops also help in getting rid of mucus build-up. AktivOxigen tablets can be used as a mouthwash or a rinse and because they contain oxygen they help in getting rid of the anaerobic bacterial which produce sulfur compounds which in turn produce bad breath.
Now you know that if you have colds, you will definitely have mucus buildup in your throat passages. If you do not take measures to eliminate this buildup, they will eventually attract bacteria that will break down the amino acids in the mucus. In this process, volatile sulfur compounds may be produced, which have a smell equivalent to that of rotten eggs. If you don’t want to experience this nasty condition, you must use mouthwash and other oral medications to prevent the accumulation of mucus. If over the counter medications do not work, you can always go to your doctor and ask for a recommendation.
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Tagged with: Bad Breath • Bad Breath Causes • bad breath cure • bad breath diagnosis • bad breath treatment • do you have bad breath • Halitosis • oral health
Filed under: Bad Breath Causes
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