Is Your Postnasal Drip Making You Suffer From Bad Breath?
| November 25, 2008The human nose is a natural filter picking up dust particles, bacteria and other air pollutants on a daily basis. With the normal production of mucus, the debris collected is then swept to the back of the throat by millions of tiny hair like structures called cilia. These cilia line the nasal cavity and then are swallowed. Once in the stomach the acids destroy any dangerous bacteria. Although this sounds pretty disgusting, it is a routine bodily function that most people do not notice because the mucus is very thin.
Under normal circumstances this does not cause any problem. But if the mucus stays at the back of the throat, the anaerobic bacteria will do its work, breaking down the proteins present in the mucus and phlegm. Once the bacteria start this, they liberate the sulfuric compounds which are released along with the breath and cause bad breath. The post nasal drip thus transforms natural breath into foul breath.
The anaerobic bacteria that thrive in an environment free of oxygen love the amino acids that are found in mucus, phlegm, dairy, and other high protein foods. The reason being that the mucus protects the bacteria from being exposed to oxygen, it acts like a shield around the bacteria. In fact, many people notice that when they drink too much milk or eat too much cheese, they end up with more mucus or phlegm in their throat.
Mucus typically contains abundant amounts of bacteria and proteins from the sinuses. These proteins are then broken down to amino acids that the anaerobic bacteria feast upon. The mucus also protects the halitosis-causing bacteria from being exposed to oxygen because anaerobic bacteria cannot survive in the presence ofoxygen. Being harbored by mucous, allows the bacteria to thrive and produce bad breath odors. Individuals suffering from a cold or flu commonly generate large amounts of this mucus.
Antihistamines and medications developed for the relief of postnasal drip dry up the sinuses and prevent mucous buildup. This is a good thing because now you can breathe out of both sides of you nose instead on only one or none. The antihistamines, however, may also cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is another source of bad breath because it mimics an anaerobic environment. The way to eliminate dry mouth if it is necessary to take antihistamines or other medications that have a drying effect, would be to remain hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of fluids, preferably water. Another way to maintain saliva production if you are experiencing dry mouth would be to chew gum.
If you have a particularly bad case of the colds and oral medications are not enough to get rid of mucus or postnasal drip, you can look at other options. For instances, you can take a warm shower while using a humidifier to keep the air around you damp. Adding a few herbs to your warm bath water can also be helpful. After your warm bath, you can try sipping hot soups with peppermint or other herbs that can help thin out your bothersome mucus. This is very useful especially in cold weather when it is extra difficult to cough out phlegm and mucus.
There are many other products that can be used to reduce mucus buildup at the back of your throat. Nasal sinus drops are commonly prescribed by doctors, as well as certain oral medication. AktivOxigen tablets are such kinds of medication. These tablets are melted in water or a mouthwash solution to wash the back of the throat with oxygen that will kill the odor-causing bacteria. They are also effective in reducing the smell of volatile sulfur compounds.
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.






