This is why your bad breath won’t go away, experts say

Health

By Alexandra Klausner

Have you swallowed a whole series of tic tacs but you still have bad breath? Several factors could be involved, according to experts.

Halitosis, which is the medical term for bad breath, can have a variety of causes, such as because you ate pungent garlic bread.

However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, bad breath that doesn’t go away, called chronic halitosis, could be an indicator that something else is going on with your health.

Well + Good spoke to Jason Abramowitz, MD, an otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Paramus, New Jersey, about four things that could be making your breath stink.

A virus or infection

Bad breath can come from your throat, especially if you are sick.

If you have a cold or other upper respiratory infection, an increase in mucus, designed to help your body expel viruses and bacteria, can make your breath smelly.

“This mucus is usually mixed with some normal bacteria in your throat, which can make it smell bad,” Dr. Abramowitz said.

A dry mouth can also make breathing worse.

“When we are congested, our noses do not hydrate the air normally. This dries up the saliva and mucus in the nose and throat and can contribute to odors,” he added.

Bacteria in your throat, such as those from a strep infection, can also make your breath smell strong.

To treat your halitosis due to a virus or infection, drink plenty of water and rinse your nasal passages to clear congestion.

Allergies

Just like the common cold, allergies can cause nasal congestion and increased mucus which contributes to halitosis.

You can get some relief from your congestion — and your stink — by flushing your nasal passages and drinking water as if you have a virus.

Tonsil stones

According to Medical News Today, tonsil stones are bumps that develop on the tonsils due to a buildup of things like food debris, dead cells, and bacteria. The debris hardens when calcium builds up around it to create a tonsil stone.

Tonsil stones can be tough, but they don’t make your breathing vibrate, they do just the opposite.

“Old, dry foods with bacteria have a foul odor,” Dr. Abramowitz explained.

To get rid of pesky stones, you can gargle with salt water or use a clean cotton swab to remove them, the medical center explained.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux, is another culprit of bad breath.

When you have acid reflux, your stomach contents, such as undigested food, regurgitated bile, and stomach acid, flow into your esophagus. This can lead to odorous halitosis, Healthline explained.

Treating stomach acid with an antacid medication or removing fried and spicy foods from the diet as well as not eating late at night can improve your reflux and breathing.