Post-nasal drip takes place when extreme mucus is produced by the nasal mucosa. The excess mucus builds up in the throat or back of the nose. The term “post” in post-nasal drip describes the “back of” or “behind” the throat. The most typical causes of post-nasal drip are rhinitis (allergic or non-allergic) and sinusitis (acute or chronic).
At some time in their lives, many people have experienced bad breath, which is also referred to as halitosis. Many bad breath begins in the mouth, which consists of millions of bacteria. When these bacteria can be found in contact with food debris, saliva or a post nasal drip, the outcome is foul-smelling breath. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), more than 80 million individuals are impacted by this condition.
Post Nasal Drip and Bad Breath
The AGD notes that a typical reason for bad breath is post nasal drip, which involves mucus secretions from your nose and throat. This will straight impact your breath due to the fact that the secretions are an exceptional food source for bacteria. If you experience sinusitis, which is an infection of the sinus cavity, the thick mucus that happens from the condition leaks back into your throat and adds to bad breath.
Watch out for dairy products, too. Foods as milk, cheese and yogurt can cause mucus to thicken, which worsens post nasal drip and blockage. The mucus can likewise produce a white or yellow film on the tongue. Post nasal drip can make you feel as if there is something stuck in the back of you throat. You may feel that you have to continuously clear your throat.
Can Nasal Drip Cause Bad Breath?
The back of the tongue, which really resides in the throat, is the home of anaerobic bacteria accountable for bad breath. An allergic reaction attack, sinusitis, or rhinitis triggers the production of mucus. Instead of it dripping out the front of the nose, mucus often drains pipes down the throat onto the back of the tongue where bad breath bacteria live. As an outcome, these bad breath bacteria are continuously bathed in mucus secretions. Anaerobic bacteria delight in the amino acids cysteine and methionine (the foundation of the proteins found in mucus, phlegm, and dairy foods). In truth, many people see when they drink too much milk or cheese, they wind up with more mucus/phlegm in their throat and bad breath.
If you still have your tonsils, you might be harboring a greater variety of the bacteria in the crevices of your tonsils. In addition, these crevices can also trap post-nasal drip over time. When the mucus from post-nasal drip collects and blends with anaerobic sulfur-producing bacteria in tonsil crevices, small, odorous developments called tonsil stones begin to form. These are actually “globs” of mucus solidified with time. When they combine with bacterial debris, this leads to an extremely odorous mixture.
How to Stop Bad Breath Caused by Post Nasal Drip
After we found links between bad breath and post nasal drip, we should follow up with the problem. Here are 9 steps how to cure bad breath caused by post nasal drip:
- Get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids, such as water and tea, to help eliminate your bad breath. Water serves to clean your mouth and throat of mucus. When your postnasal drip symptoms disappear, your bad breath will disappear.
- Use an over the counter antihistamine or decongestant to reduce the mucus production in your nose and throat.
- Humidify the air in your house using a humidifier. This adds moisture to the air, preventing you from having postnasal drip and bad breath.
- Avoid spicy foods, as this can intensify your nasal secretions and cause you to have bad breath.
- Brush your teeth and tongue and floss every day. This cleans out the mucus and bacteria causing your bad breath.
- Eat a mint when you have bad breath. Eating a mint promotes saliva production, cleaning your mouth.
- Water your nose 2 to 3 times a day using a nasal irrigation set. Read the guidelines and use as directed. This can help separate thick mucus secretions.
- Moisten your nasal passages using an over the counter saline nasal spray. This can assist separate any nasal secretions.
- Go to your doctor if you suffer from a bacterial sinus infection. He can prescribe antibiotics, and your postnasal drip and bad breath will eventually fix.
Things You’ll Need
- Water
- Tea
- Antihistamine
- Decongestant
- Humidifier
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mints
- Nasal watering kit
- Saline nasal spray
- Antibiotic
