How Post Nasal Drip Affects Bad Breath
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2005
by Samora Jinqua
Therabreath
Post Nasal Drip and Its Effects on Bad Breath
Bad Breath is very closely related to post nasal drip , excess mucus, sinus problems, your tonsils, and
tonsiloliths.
The bacteria which cause bad breath and sour/bitter/metallic tastes are anaerobic, meaning they live without oxygen. Their goal in life is to break down the proteins in foods that we eat. However, under certain conditions, they will also start to break down the proteins found in post nasal drip.
Scientifically, the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath "love" the amino acids Cysteine and Methionine, which are the building blocks of the proteins that are found in post nasal drip and even in dairy foods. In fact, many people notice that when they drink too much milk or eat too much cheese they end up with more mucous or phlegm in their throat. This is a natural reaction for many people and unfortunately, ends up causing more bad breath and lousy taste.
If you still have your tonsils, you may be harboring a higher number of the bacteria which can lead to an "interesting" and very often misunderstood phenomenon, called TONSILOLITHS. Literally translated, they are "tonsil stones" produced by the conglomeration of post nasal drip draining down the back of the throat and the volatile sulfur compounds created by the bacteria which easily end up in the "nooks and crannies" of the tonsils, every time one swallows. I can't tell you how many stories I've heard from my patients who asked their dentist what these objects were, and more often than not the answer was 'food particles'. This couldn't be further from the truth!
MEDICATION AND DRUGS MAY HELP PREVENT POST NASAL DRIP, BUT AT WHAT COST?
There are dozens of different over-the counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines you can use to help relieve congestion and dry up a post nasal drip condition, and some of them are very good at what they claim but mostly they are TOO GOOD! They create an extremely dry mouth, which exacerbates bad breath. And even in cases where the dry mouth side effect is minimal, when you stop taking that medication the problem comes back, and almost always with a vengeance! This is because in some cases, your body will actually develop a resistance to any antihistamines or nasal decongestants, especially nasal sprays (be careful, because many sprays are habit forming!)
Suffice it to say, this should NOT be an option that you pursue.
Instead, use a Nasal-Irrigator to Flush Your Sinuses free from Excess Mucus
Nasal Irrigation is probably the most effective method of eliminating post nasal drip and helping to control sinus infections. A short period of regular use can stimulate the cilia (the tiny hair-like fibers in the nasal sinus passages) to restore their natural protective "sweeping & cleansing" action.
When you feel a sinus condition come on, or feel that you have persistent post nasal drip and excess mucus, consistent daily use for 10 days should result in a clearing of the condition.
STOP BAD BREATH ASSOCIATED WITH POST NASAL DRIP, EXCESS MUCUS, AND SINUS PROBLEMS
For people who don't really have sinus problems, just "off and on" or seasonal post nasal drip, then an alternative (and better) solution might be to minimize the amount of excess mucus in the back of the throat and more importantly to make sure you neutralize the odor caused by this excess mucus.
You see, the proteins in post nasal drip make an excellent food source for the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath. The bacteria feed off the amino acids, Methionine and Cysteine, and create extremely odorous and lousy-tasting Volatile Sulfur Compounds as by-products, which are the odors and lousy tastes found in the medical condition halitosis, which YOU (or maybe everyone around you) more commonly knows as bad breath.
Dr. Harold Katz, founder of the California Breath Clinics, is a worldwide expert on the topics of bad breath, halitosis, and dry mouth. To receive your FREE copy of his easy-to-read "Bad Breath Bible" visit: http://www.therabreath.com/web/art/pnd.asp
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Yes, as it informed me what foods I should avoid to relieve post nasal drip. This is particularly important as I have to lie flat for 15 - 20 minutes for removal of cataract.
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