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Post-Nasal Drip and Nasal-Sinus Congestion Can Transform Normal Breath Into Bad Breath... And Bad Breath Into Horrible Breath!

  By Dr. Harold Katz
  Founder, California Breath Clinics

• How to Eliminate That Annoying Frog-in-the-Throat Feeling
• Why Your Over-the-Counter Anti-Histamine Can Make Your Breath Worse!
• Why Post-Nasal Drip Can Affect Your Breath… And Also Make It Worse

Bad Breath is closely related to post-nasal drip, excess mucus, sinus problems, tonsils and tonsiloliths (tonsil stones).

In my book, The Bad Breath Bible, I explained that the bacteria that cause bad breath and sour/bitter/metallic tastes are anaerobic. This means that they can live without oxygen. Their goal in our lives is to break down the proteins in the foods we eat. However under certain conditions, they also break down the proteins found in mucus and phlegm.

People who suffer from excess mucus, post-nasal drip, sinus problems and other such ailments are more prone to bad breath and lousy tastes. Why? Using excess mucus as a food source, these anaerobic bacteria extract VSC's (Volatile 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 two amino acids, Cysteine and Methionine, the building blocks of the proteins found in mucus, phlegm as well as dairy products. In fact, many people notice that when they drink too much milk or eat too much cheese, they develop more mucus or phlegm in their throats. For them, this is a natural reaction that, unfortunately, results in more bad breath and a lousy taste in the mouth.

If you still have your tonsils, you may be hosting a higher number of the bacteria that often leads to tonsiloliths, an interesting and very misunderstood phenomenon. Literally translated, it means, tonsil stones. What? That's right, tonsil stones (Read My Article on Tonsil Stones)! They are produced by the accumulation of mucus draining down the back of the throat and the VSC's (Volatile Sulfur Compounds) created by the bacteria that easily invade the nooks and crannies of your tonsils every time you swallow. I have heard hundreds upon hundreds of stories from my patients who asked their dentists what these objects were. "Food particles," was the usual answer, a response very far from the truth!

If you suffer from excess mucus, sinus congestion or post-nasal drip,
here are some remedies:

1. Use medication and/or drugs to dry up your sinuses and prevent mucus buildup, but be careful to avoid a dry mouth, the most likely side-effect of virtually all anti-histamines. Dry mouth is the most common initiator of bad breath. Why? Because a dry mouth mimics an anaerobic environment, a perfect breeding ground for those nasty bugs to pump out those VSC's (Volatile Sulfur Compounds). Be careful about using any anti-histamine too frequently because many are habit forming!
2. Use TheraBreath Nasal Sinus Formula. Twice daily, squeeze 3-4 drops into each nostril. Lightly inhale to move the potent formula through your sinuses. Most people soon experience that wonderful fresh breath and fresh taste feeling. Why? They have eliminated the production of sulfur compounds created by the reaction of mucus and the anaerobic sulfur producing bacteria.
3. For chronic sinus problems, many patients find relief by using my HydroPulse Sinus Irrigator, an amazingly effective nasal-sinus irrigator designed by a leading Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist to flush the sinuses. Hydropulse works even better when you add just 2-3 drops of my AktivOxigen serum into the trough before each use.
4. To minimize the amount of post-nasal drip in your throat and sinuses, and to eliminate bad breath, the #1 side effect of excess mucus, use oxygenating oral care products, such as my TheraBreath, TheraBreath PLUS, AktivOxigen, PerioTherapy and TheraBrite.

Medication and Drugs Might Help Prevent Post-Nasal Drip,
But At What Cost?

There are dozens of over-the-counter nasal decongestants and anti-histamines... all claiming to help relieve nasal congestion and dry up excess mucus. Some are good... but most of them are too good! Too good? Why? As a side effect, they create an extremely dry mouth which exacerbates bad breath. And even in those cases where the dry mouth side effect is minimal, when you stop taking the medication the problem comes back... and almost always with a vengeance! In some cases, your body will actually develop a resistance to all anti-histamines, nasal decongestants and especially nasal sprays. Be careful... because many over-the-counter sprays are habit forming… but definitely not so for any of my TheraBreath formulas! Suffice it to say that over-the-counter products should not be an option to pursue.

Use a Sinus Irrigator, such as my HydroPulse
To Flush Your Sinuses Free From Excess Mucus

Nasal Irrigation is one of the most effective methods to eliminate post-nasal drip and help control sinus infections. My HydroPulse Sinus Irrigator, an easy-to-use home instrument, is an FDA registered device supported by over 37 published medical reports. The HydroPulse's unique irrigation helps to relieve post-nasal drip and restore ciliary function. (Cilia are the tiny hair-like fibers in the nasal sinus passages.) A short period of regular use can stimulate the cilia and restore their natural, protective sweeping and cleansing action.

When you feel your sinus condition coming on… or when you feel your persistent post-nasal drip and excess mucus are back again, use my HydroPulse Sinus Irrigator for 10 consecutive days and your condition will clear up. For best results, we recommend combining my HydroPulse Sinus Irrigator with an oxygenating solution, such as AktivOxigen Serum.

Stop Bad Breath Associated With Post-Nasal Drip,
Excess Mucus and Sinus Problems

For those of you who don't really have sinus problems but do have seasonal or off and on post-nasal drip, the best solution is to minimize the amount of excess mucus in the back of your throat, and then make sure you neutralize the odour caused by this excess mucus.

The proteins in mucus make an excellent food source for the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath. These bacteria feed off the amino acids, Methionine and Cysteine, and create extremely odorous and lousy-tasting VSC's (Volatile Sulfur Compounds) as by-products. These are the odours and lousy tastes in the mouth found in halitosis, the medical condition which you and everyone else commonly calls bad breath.

Here are three TheraBreath formulas that many patients claim are extremely effective at neutralizing the odour caused by post-nasal drip:

• Nasal Sinus Drops
• AktivOxigen Tablets
• Extinguisher Spray

In addition, as the primary ingredients of all our breath treatment programs, we always recommend an oxygenating oral rinse and toothpaste, such as TheraBreath.

Nasal-Sinus Drops Eliminate Odour From The Sinuses

These drops are highly effective at cleansing the sinuses, a very hard-to-reach area, of the VSC's (volatile sulfur compounds) that cause bad breath.

Nasal-Sinus Drops Instructions for Use:

1. Blow your nose before use.
2. Tilt your back head and gently press the sides of dropper bottle to release 3-4 drops into each nostril.
3. Allow nasal-sinus drops to slowly run back through your sinuses and down the back of your throat.
4. Important - Allow drops to remain in your sinus cavity for at least 1-2 minutes. Do not blow your nose for at least that length of time.

AktivOxigen Tablets Create An Unflavoured Oral Rinse

These tablets make an unflavored oral rinse that you can actually swallow. This rinse reaches down into your throat, much deeper than just regular rinsing. As well, the rinse will help break down post-nasal drip congestion and excess mucus in the throat.

AktivOxigenTablets Instructions for Use:

1. Dissolve 1 or 2 tablets (two create a double-strength formula) in the 8oz mixing bottle. Use only the opaque bottle that comes with the system because otherwise the rinse will lose its potency. Shake well for 10-20 seconds.
2. Use before bedtime. Tilt your head back and swallow 1 or 2 capfuls of the rinse. Let it slowly run over your throat and tonsil area for maximum effectiveness.
3. Important - Do not drink or eat anything for 5 minutes after using the AktivOxigen rinse. Many patients claim that for the best results they use it before they leave the house in the morning and again at night, before they go to sleep.
4. Keep the cap tightly closed after use.

TheraBreath Extinguisher Spray With Its Patented 6.9cm Spray Nozzle

The Extinguisher Spray is an extremely popular item. Its patented 6.9 cm Extinguisher Nozzle applicator is very effective at applying the formulas to the back of the throat and tonsils… a common problem area for people with post-nasal drip and excess mucus.

Extinguisher Spray Instructions for Use:

1. Shake well before using.
2. Place the nozzle on the back of your tongue allowing it to hold down your tongue. Point the nozzle to the very back of your throat and tonsil area.
3. Dispense 2-3 sprays or until you feel that the entire area is covered.
4. Use as often as necessary to maintain a fresh, clean feeling on the tongue and in the entire mouth area.