Nobody likes bad breath, if you do then it’s weird. Bad breath can create a bad first impression. The strong mouth odor can be persistent if you are treating it without addressing the root of the problem. Maybe you have tried everything within your power such as breath mints, mouthwashes, chewing gum, and even improved your oral hygiene but they did not work. The first step you should take if you want to cure bad breath permanently, is to identify and treat the source or cause of the odor.
In most cases, chronic halitosis, also known as bad breath, comes from the foul-smelling gases produced by bacteria that accumulated in the mouth. These foul-smelling gases usually contain high levels of sulfur, which gives them their smelly smell. If your bad breath is as a result of poor oral hygiene or gum disease, the simple way to treat such is to stick to regular brushing and flossing. Specialized tongue brushes and scrapers can also eliminate or reduce the level of odor-causing bacteria and dead cells on your tongue, which can contribute to smelly mucus.
However, halitosis from the nose is very common but often overlooked. You may not know that blocked sinuses often contribute to the cause of chronic bad breath. Smelly secretions from your nasal passages, postnasal drip, sinus infections, or the presence of bacteria in your throat mucus can all lead to bad breath.
Bad breath from nose
Blocked sinuses and nasal infections are among the causes of halitosis, or bad breath, that dentists see often. Naturally, the glands in the nose and throat are specially designed to secrete mucus, a thick substance that moistens and cleanses the nasal membranes. This mucus helps the body to destroy and get rid of foreign inhaled matter such as dust, infectious bacteria, and viruses. The mucus usually mixes with saliva as they drip from the back of the nose down the throat.
Post nasal drip is a health condition that involves the excessive secretion of mucus from the glands found in the throat and nose. When excessive, thick mucus is produced, it can lead to persistent bad breath (halitosis), a bad taste in the mouth, and nasal infections. Proper oral hygiene and sufficient saliva production can help alleviate these symptoms.
Causes of bad breath from nose
1. Post Nasal Drip
According to studies, excessive secretions can cause adverse effects to your respiration and voice. For example they can pill into the voice box (larynx) and breathing passages (trachea and bronchi), causing coughs and hoarseness. (1) Here are some common causes of post nasal drip:
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Certain medications such as blood pressure and birth control pills can cause conditions like sinus infection. It is important to consult a doctor for proper treatment.
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Allergies can cause a sinus infection, leading to postnasal drip and halitosis.
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Sinusitis – the infection that causes inflammation of the sinuses.
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Influenza – common cold or flu.
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A deviated septum
Symptoms of Post nasal drip
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Frequent clearing of the throat when speaking can be a symptom of postnasal drip, where mucus drains from the sinuses and collects in the throat. This can lead to throat irritation and potentially cause halitosis, or bad breath.
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Constant swallowing because of halitosis, you will always feel like there is a lump in your throat caused by nasal polyps, sinus infection, or issues with your mouth.
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Patients suffering from post nasal drip may experience the common symptoms of sore throat and bad breath, also known as halitosis. This health issue occurs when the cilia in the throat and nose become impaired, potentially due to a sinus infection. As a result, inflammation and irritation of the nasal and throat lining can occur, leading to a persistent unpleasant smell.
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Difficulty in breathing – steady accumulation of excessive mucus in the nose, caused by sinus infection and nasal polyps, can make breathing from the nose to be very difficult. In the other hand, sore throat and coughing can make breathing through the mouth difficult too, exacerbating halitosis.
2. Sinusitis and Nasal Congestion
Nasal sinuses, also known as hollow passages, are located within the cheeks, around and behind the nose. They serve to moisten and purify the air entering the nasal cavity. Sinusitis, inflammation of the nasal sinuses, can cause chronic nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, and halitosis (bad breath). Symptoms of sinusitis include throat mucus and unpleasant smell in the mouth.
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Frequent blockage of the nasal passage
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Loss of sense of smell or taste
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Bad taste in the mouth
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Severe headaches
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Sore throat and coughs
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High body temperature (fever)
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Post nasal drip
Remedies for bad breath from nose
Antibiotics are very effective for treating infections caused by bacteria, including those that cause halitosis. In most cases, post nasal drip caused by sinusitis, a common condition that can result in a bad smell from the nose, is treated with antibiotics. However, in severe cases, surgery may be recommended to open the blocked sinuses. Eliminating foods and liquids that trigger post nasal drip is also important in managing this condition. It is advised to avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine, as well as pollen in spring. Here are some effective home remedies that you can try to alleviate these conditions.
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Steam Inhalation: Boil a hot bowl of water and add a few drops of any essential oil to help with nose and sinus issues. Inhaling the steam can effectively control excess mucus production, which can lead to post-nasal drip and halitosis.
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Chew on ginger to combat halitosis and nasal polyps. Ginger’s antiviral and antibacterial properties make it effective in reducing mucus production and aiding sinus clearance. You can chew raw ginger slices throughout the day or prepare a ginger tea by boiling ginger with water.
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Gargle with salt water: prepare a solution of half teaspoon of salt and one cup of warm water. Gargle with this solution several times each day to help eliminate halitosis and nasal irritants. The salt water thins mucus, making it easier for your body to get rid of bad smells and potential infections in the nose.