3 Simple Tips To Get Rid Of Bad Breath Caused By Gum Disease

The nose is used for breathing but it has another important function as well and that is filtering the air that goes into your lungs. It filters out the dust particles, bacteria and other pollutants on a daily basis. This is collected by the fine hair in your nose called cilia and then along with nasal mucus, goes into the back of the throat. In the stomach the bacteria is destroyed by acid. This is a normal bodily function and most people do not even pay attention to it because the mucus is virtually unnoticeable.

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 are omnipresent in mucus, phlegm, dairy and other high protein foods because they multiply in a non-oxygen environment. The mucus wraps the bacteria and protects it from oxygen and hence they thrive and multiply. When some people drink too much milk or eat too much cheese, they get more mucus and phlegm in their throat and this leads to bad breath.

The sinus is also a home for the bacteria and protein which are found in the mucus. These are broken down into amino acids which is food for the bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria is thus in its element and can go ahead and produce the sulfur compounds which cause bad breath. People who are ill with colds and flu typically have a lot of mucus and may also suffer from bad breath.

Many medicines to treat the problem of cold and flue dry the sinus and nose drips and prevent build up of mucus. Antihistamines are among these medicines. Your nose clears up and it is great to be able to breathe properly again. However, anti-allergy medicines usually also cause a dry mouth which is a major cause of bad breath because it becomes like an oxygen free environment which the bacteria love. When you hare taking antihistamines, you should also be drinking plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. And you should also chew sugarless gum and suck sugarless lozenges to maintain the flow of saliva so that you can avoid a dry mouth and its unpleasant consequences.

It is vital to keep the mucus thin. You do not want to have the feeling that something solid is stuck at the back of your throat that you find impossible to get rid of. If you take steam via a steamer, take a hot shower or go for a sauna, you will find that the mucus become thin and easier to expel. You can add few herbs to the water in the humidifier to help you breathe better. You should also take in lots of hot liquids like soups and teas. If you drink thin soups and peppermint or other herbal teas, you will find they soothe the throat and also help with the post nasal drip.

If you want relief, you can tray a nasal sinus formula or an irrigator to flush out the sinuses, to minimize the post nasal drip. Nasal sinus drops also help in getting rid of mucus build-up. AktivOxigen tablets can be used as a mouthwash or a rinse and because they contain oxygen they help in getting rid of the anaerobic bacterial which produce sulfur compounds which in turn produce bad breath.

Finally, most people who suffer from this kind of post nasal drip are usually liable to get bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth as well. Bacterial build-up occurs and the bacteria attack the proteins which make up part of the drip, and release sulfur compounds which aggravate bad breath. As each case of bad breath is different the way it is treated will also be different. Depending on the cause of your problem one or the other method should work for you. If you are unable to get rid of your post nasal drip or your bad breath, do consult your medical practitioner.