How Post Nasal Drip Effects Bad Breath
© Copyright 2005 Dr. Harold Katz
The Effects of Post Nasal Drip on Bad Breath
Bad breath is very closely related to post nasal drip,
excess mucus, sinus problems, your tonsils, and
tonsiloliths.
In my book "The Bad Breath Bible" I discuss how the
bacteria which causes bad breath and
sour/bitter/metallic tastes are anaerobic, meaning they
live without oxygen. The bacteria's 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.
Therefore, those people who suffer from post nasal
drip, sinus problems, and other such ailments are more
prone to bad breath and lousy tastes in their mouth.
The anaerobic bacteria uses the post nasal drip mucus
as a food source and starts to extract sulfur
compounds from the amino acids that make up the
proteins found in all this excess mucus.
Scientifically, the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad
breath "love" the amino acids Cysteine and
Methionine. These amino acids are the building blocks
of the proteins that are found in post nasal drip, and
can even be found in dairy foods. In fact, most 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 a lousy taste in your mouth.
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 mucus draining down
the back of the throat, and the volatile sulfur
compounds created by the bacteria. These bacteria
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!
WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU SUFFER FROM POST NASAL
DRIP, EXCESS MUCUS, AND SINUS CONGESTION?
There are essentially only a few different routes that
you can take:
1. Use medication and or drugs to dry up the sinuses
and prevent post nasal drip mucus buildup - all the
while being careful to avoid a dry mouth, a likely side-
effect of virtually all antihistamines. Dry mouth is the
most common initiator of bad breath because it mimics
an anaerobic environment, perfect for the "bugs" to
pump out volatile sulfur compounds. You should be
careful about using any antihistamine too frequently -
many are habit forming!
2. Use TheraBreath Nasal Sinus Formula. I recommend
squeezing 3-4 drops into each nostril and then lightly
inhaling to move the potent formula through the
sinuses twice daily. Most people can finally experience
that fresh breath and taste feeling after the formula
effectively eliminates the production of sulfur
compounds created by the reaction of post nasal drip
and the anaerobic sulfur producing bacteria.
3. For chronic post nasal drip and sinus problems,
many patients will find relief by using the HydroPulse?.
This is an amazingly effective nasal-sinus irrigator,
designed by an Ear Nose & Throat specialist to flush
the sinuses. It works even better when you add just 2-
3 drops of AktivOxigen serum into the trough before
each use.
4. Minimize the amount of post nasal drip in your throat
and sinuses, and eliminate the #1 side effect of excess
mucus (bad breath!) by using oxygenating oral care
products, such as TheraBreath, TheraBreath PLUS,
AktivOxigen, PerioTherapy, and TheraBrite.
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 post nasal drip
symptoms. 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.
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. You
must be careful, because many sprays are habit
forming - but NOT TheraBreath formulas!
Suffice it to say, using over-the-counter nasal
decongestants and antihistamines should NOT be an
option that you pursue. Instead, I suggest using a
nasal-irrigator such as the HydroPulse? to flush your
sinuses free from post nasal drip mucus.
Nasal irrigation is probably the most effective method
of eliminating post nasal drip and helping to control
sinus infections. The HydroPulse Sinus Irrigator is an
FDA registered device supported by over 37 published
medical reports. The unique pulsatile irrigation of the
HydroPulse helps to restore ciliary function and relieve
post nasal drip. A short period of regular use can
stimulate the cilia, which are 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. For best results, I recommend
a combination of this easy-to-use home instrument
with an oxygenating solution such as AktivOxigen
serum.
TIPS ON HOW TO STOP BAD BREATH ASSOCIATED WITH
POST NASAL DRIP:
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.
There are three key formulas that most of my patients
find extremely effective at neutralizing the odor caused
by post nasal drip:
1. Nasal Sinus Drops - which are highly effective at
cleaning the sinuses (a very hard to reach area) of the
volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
2. AktivOxigen Tablets - which can be added to an
unflavored oral rinse that you can actually swallow.
The solution gets deeper down in the throat than just
regular rinsing, and will actually help break down post
nasal drip congestion and excess mucus in the throat.
3. Extinguisher Spray - an extremely popular nozzle
applicator spray that is very efficient in reaching the
back of the throat and tonsils. These are common
problem areas for people who suffer from post nasal
drip and excess mucus in the throat.
I've been here for the last 10 years to help patients
prevent bad breath, sinus congestion, and lousy
tastes, and I'll be here for many more years to come.
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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