Have things been smelling off lately? While it is always possible that those around you have stopped showering or your fridge is on the fritz and your food has gone bad, if this has been going on for some time, there is another option you should consider: The smell is coming from inside your nose.
Below are the most common reasons why there is a bad smell in your nose.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Cavities in your teeth can trap food particles and bacteria. When bacteria breaks down, it can release gases, which smells like sulfur. The four-smelling odor from the gases can travel through the small holes at the back of the mouth that connect to the sinuses and make their way into your nose.
Food particles that become trapped in a cavity can start to decay. This increases your chance of experiencing a bad taste or smell in the mouth.
Unfilled cavities are caused by tooth decay and gingivitis from poor dental hygiene. When you don’t brush your teeth, you will develop a film of plaque, the bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Sinus Infections
Affecting more than 30 million people in the U.S., sinus infections cause the lining of the sinus cavity to become enflamed. This leads to nasal congestion, a condition that affects your sense of smell.
In addition, sinusitis can cause bad breath as well as discolored and smelly discharge.
Typically caused by a viral infection, some sinus infections are the result of a bacterial infection or a fungus.
Consuming Foods, Drinks & Medications
When you eat or drink, tiny molecules travel to your nose and stimulate your sense of smell. Your ability to taste and smell relies on these particulates moving smoothly.
Foods, drinks and medications all release smells as your body breaks them down. Some may stay in your mouth for longer or have a particularly unpleasant smell. The biggest culprits are:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Coffee
- Spicy foods
- Amphetamines
- Phenothiazines
Dry Mouth
Saliva is crucial for keeping your mouth moist and removing unwanted food particulates; it also helps to neutralize acids. When the flow is not adequate, you will develop a dry mouth. This increases your risk of developing bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Dry mouth can also lead to tooth decay.
Digestive Conditions
Acid reflux, a common digestive condition, has been linked to an increase in bad breath and a gross taste in the mouth. In order to treat the bad smell, your doctor will need to determine what is causing your symptoms. Talk to the experts at Augusta ENT today to get started.