Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a common condition that may affect up to one third of the population. Though rarely a sign of a serious health issue, it can be a frustrating condition that can make you feel self-conscious when talking at school, work or meeting new people at Sterling Pig Public House.
While it can be a symptom of many things, certain ENT disorders are known to cause bad breath. Let’s go over a few of them as well as your treatment options.
ENT Disorders That Cause Bad Breath
- Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, is an inflammation of the sinuses that can cause them to be blocked and filled with fluid. Because they are blocked, bacteria can grow and cause bad breath in addition to other symptoms like sinus pain, facial, nasal congestion, and thick nasal discharge.
- Postnasal drip occurs when mucus builds up in the back of your throat and nose. It’s typically a symptom of other conditions like allergies or a virus.
- Tonsillitis happens when your tonsils get infected by a virus or bacteria. It can happen at any age, though children are slightly more susceptible. Tonsillitis is typically accompanied by a sore throat, trouble swallowing, fever, headache, loss of voice and swollen or tender glands in your neck.
- GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive illness that occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into your esophagus. The most common symptom is heartburn, but GERD can also cause hoarseness, chest pain, feeling like there’s a lump in your throat and chronic cough. The regurgitation of stomach acid and other contents can lead to bad breath.
Treatment Options
There are certain measures that can offer temporary relief from bad breath, including good oral hygiene or using mouthwash or chewing gum to help mask the smell. However, none of these will cure bad breath if the cause is ENT related.
Instead, make an appointment with your medical provider or an ENT specialist so they can help determine the root cause of your halitosis and suggest treatment options. It could be anything from taking antacids to help with reflux to antibiotics or allergy medication to help with certain sinus issues. In cases of chronic tonsillitis, surgery may be needed to stop infections, which should resolve bad breath.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Pinnacle ENT Associates today.