Each time you take in a deep breath, air is not the only thing that enters your nose, especially if you live in modern urban areas. Microscopic particles of dust, bacteria and other matters floating in the air are sucked into your nose as well. These foreign objects are filtered by the mucus in the nasal cavity and barred from entering your lungs. Instead, these foreign particles, together with the mucus, are pushed all the way back until you swallow them. In the stomach, the bacteria can't do much damage because they are immediately destroyed by the stomach acids. The mucus that is pushed to the back of the throat is called postnasal drip and this process is repeated thousands of times throughout any given day. Postnasal drip is a continuous background process that many individuals are not even aware of. Without it, the mucus that collects dust and bacteria from the air we breathe will just sit there at the back of the throat. Eventually, anaerobic bacteria will find their way to the mucus and see it as a potential food source. When the bacteria breaks down this food, foul-smelling chemicals are released and when we exhale, this is translated into bad breath. The anaerobic bacteria that thrive in an environment free of oxygen love the amino acids that are found in mucus, phlegm, dairy, and other high protein foods. The reason being that the mucus protects the bacteria from being exposed to oxygen, it acts like a shield around the bacteria. In fact, many people notice that when they drink too much milk or eat too much cheese, they end up with more mucus or phlegm in their throat. When anaerobic bacteria get exposed to open air, they die. Mucus protects them from this situation by keeping them surrounded. This protection, together with the food that mucus provides, allows these bacteria to propagate and keep producing the bad odor we normally know as bad breath. If you have colds or some other illness that makes you produce more mucus, it naturally follows that you will be more prone to having bad breath. This halitosis-causing mucus can be eliminated by taking antihistamines or other cold remedies. Once you take a sufficient dosage of these medications, the postnasal drip will be reduced, opening up your nasal passages for easier breathing. That's the advantage of cold remedies. However, they also have a disadvantage. In the process of clearing your nasal passages, they also dry out your mouth, which is another likely cause of halitosis. To rectify this situation, all you have to do is drink plenty of liquids while taking your antihistamines and cold medications. If this is not practical, you may also chew gum in order to stimulate the continuous flow of saliva, which is also good for keeping your mouth hydrated, preventing the anaerobic bacteria from thriving. 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. In conclusion, people who suffer with postnasal drip are more prone to bad breath and lousy tastes because the bacteria will start to extract sulfur compounds from the amino acids that make up these proteins. They love the amino acids, which are common to mucous and phlegm, and also in dairy foods. Remember every case of bad breath, is different and there is no such thing as one formula to treat every case of halitosis. Methods that work for one person may not work for another. If you find you are unable to control your postnasal drip, consult your doctor.
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