Why does sinus drainage cause bad breath

Postnasal drip usually isn't related to bad breath. Instead, bad breath most often results from the breakdown of food in your mouth, bacteria in the tissues of your mouth or tonsils, dental problems, dry mouth or, rarely, an underlying disease. It is possible that your bad breath could be a result of a sinus problem, such as an infection. But in that case, you'd likely be experiencing symptoms in addition to postnasal drip.

To determine what's causing your bad breath and what can be done, your situation needs more evaluation. Nasal tissues make mucus all the time to help moisten and clean the nasal passages. Each day your nose and sinuses produce about two cups of mucus. Most is swallowed throughout the day.

The amount of mucus can be increased by a cold, influenza, allergies or irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke. The mucus can also be thickened due to dehydration or infection. Acute or chronic sinusitis.

Share on Pinterest A person may experience a bad smell in their nose if they have acute or chronic sinusitis. Dental issues and poor oral hygiene. Certain foods, drinks, and medications. Dry mouth. Smoking and tobacco use. Digestive conditions and other medical conditions. Share on Pinterest Dehydration may cause conditions that result in a bad smell in the nose.

Share on Pinterest Certain lifestyle changes, such as practicing good dental hygiene, may help reduce the risk of developing a bad smell in the nose. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. How do I know if I have a cold or sinusitis? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Bridge of nose pain: Causes and how to treat it. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. What causes a smell behind the ear?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ana M. What's wrong with breathing through the mouth? Hyposmia: Why do people lose their sense of smell? Your body is designed to clear excess mucus from your nose. The mucus mixes with saliva and drips harmlessly down the back of your throat. Usually, you swallow it without even noticing. You are aware of it building in the throat or dripping from the back of your nose. This is called post-nasal drip.

Swallowing problems may also cause solids or liquids to accumulate in the throat. This may complicate, or feel like, post-nasal drip. Overflow secretions can spill into the voice box larynx and breathing passages trachea and bronchi. These secretions can cause hoarseness, throat clearing, or coughing. Successful treatment of the post-nasal drip will usually clear up these throat symptoms.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses. It may be a short-term, acute infection. It can cause chronic nasal congestion and greatly affect your quality of life. Nasal sinuses are located within the cheeks, around and behind the nose. It is believed that their main function is to warm, moisten and filter the air in the nasal cavity.

They also help us vocalize certain sounds. The signs and symptoms of sinusitis vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and which sinuses are involved, but symptoms may include:.

Nasal polyps are soft, jelly-like overgrowths of the sinus lining that look like grapes on the end of a stalk. They do not always cause symptoms, but as they usually grow through the tunnel that connects the sinuses to the nose, they can cause a blocked nose.

If the tunnel becomes too blocked, sinus infections can occur. These infections can cause bad breath due to run-over of mucus — post-nasal drip. There are some tell-tale signs that your bad breath is caused by post-nasal drip. All these situations can cause bad breath due to the build-up of microbes, foreign objects, and metabolites.

Treating post-nasal drip is easier if the cause has been identified, as treatment varies depending on the cause. Decongestants may be helpful but should be used with caution as they may aggravate high blood pressure, heart conditions, and thyroid disease.

Steroid sprays can be used safely under medical supervision. Oral and injectable steroids rarely produce serious complications in short-term use, but must be monitored carefully when used for over a week, as serious side-effects can occur. Luckily, there are also some more natural ways to relieve post-nasal drip and, in turn, alleviate the bad breath caused by post-nasal drip.

Gargling with salt water is one of the best home remedies to ease post-nasal drip. It helps thin the mucus , making it easier for your body to get rid of it. It also flushes the irritants out of the nasal passages. Steam inhalation, with or without essential oils, can help to control excess mucus production that causes post-nasal drip, but it is not recommended for very small children.

Nasal irrigation also helps clear excess mucus and remove irritants from the nasal passage, preventing further infection. Ginger is a natural decongestant with antiviral and antibacterial properties.

It helps reduce mucus production and aids clearance. It also alleviates chest congestion, sore throat, common symptoms of post-nasal drip. Here are five other, more surprising ways to fight bad breath :. If you have lingering bad breath, it's not a bad idea to visit your dentist, said Chetan Kaher, a dentist in London. Once certain types of bacteria set up shop on your teeth, they can form a plague that has to be physically removed by professionals, Kaher said.

These plagues can break down teeth, not only causing cavities but also creating bad breath odors, he said. Halitosis can also be caused by cavities themselves and rotten teeth, so it's important to rule out these possibilities by visiting the dentist, Spiegel said. Another leading cause of bad breath: smelly secretions from your nasal passages.

Sinus infections, or the presence of bacteria in your nose and sinus cavities, may also give off noxious odors. Using a saline nasal wash can help alleviate this problem, Spiegel said.