Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Related Bad Breath

In the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) related bad breath, which we rarely encounter, bacteria deposits are not in the mouth, but around the mouth. These odors mostly originate from areas such as the nasal cavity, sinuses, tonsils, and pharynx due to rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, and other reasons. But the back of the tongue smells like mouth odors originating from the mouth.

Causes of ENT-Related Bad Breath

Ear, Nose & Throat Infections

Bad breath originating from ear-nose-throat can occur even in people who do not have problems such as rotten teeth and gum disease, brush their teeth at least twice a day, and have a clean mouth. Especially if the poorly ventilated nasal cavity and sinuses become infected with bacteria, these bacteria come from there. Then they settle on the back of the tongue and cause a bad odor. This is the reason for most children’s bad breath. It is also the most common cause of strong-smelling bad breath.

Nasal Dryness, Congestion, and Septal Defects

Nasal congestion can cause bad breath because it reduces the ventilation of the sinuses. Similarly, in cases where the lips are not closed due to nasal congestion or any other reason, and in people who sleep with their mouths open, bad breath may occur. Because, due to the dryness of the mouth, the bacteria are not washed with saliva and produce more odor in the dry mouth. Apart from this, septal deformations and nasal dryness also cause bad odors due to their bad effects on the air passage.

Throat Problems and Adenoid Vegetations

Halitosis originating from the ear-nose-throat comes from the upper airway. However, problems with the tonsils and pharynx above the air passage can also cause bad breath. Bad breath is common in people with adenoid vegetation. Because of the narrowing in the air passage, the mouth can stay open and therefore it dries and smells.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Patients with ear-nose-throat bad breath are usually allergic people. When these patients sneeze, an odor originating from the nasal passage is emitted. In addition, most of these people have recurrent paranasal problems and pathologies such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and sinusitis. Therefore, dentists usually direct these patients to otolaryngologists. Finally, fresh breath products (especially, zinc-containing) such as mouthwash (eg, TheraBreath Plus Fresh Breath, Tom’s of Maine Natural Wicked Fresh, etc.) or chewing gum (eg, CB12 Boost Sugar Free, etc.) may symptomatically help those patients.