North Richmond Today

• Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population.
• Chronic sinusitis can cause bad breath and mouth breathing, among other symptoms.
• Balloon sinuplasty is a safe and minimally invasive procedure utilized by surgeons to address chronic sinusitis.

One of the more unpleasant symptoms of sinusitis is bad breath, which can occur due to congestion and mouth breathing. According to Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free, breathing through your mouth can lead to further health issues. 

“Mouth breathing is not effective,” Dr. Ditto told North Richmond Today. “The nasal vestibule is the pathway to your health. In addition, it is an anti-infection system in your body, not only the nose line with a moist mucosa that is sticky to catch particles and so forth, but it also has immunoglobulins and immune cells there to also help initiate early protection from infections. Also, it helps to decrease the flow of these pathogens and allergens into the lungs.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, physical symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, a runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath, or fatigue.

People who suffer from allergies or chronic sinus problems are more likely to breathe through their mouths, which can lead to oral health issues, according to McCarl Dental Group. Mouth breathing dries up saliva, allowing bacteria and plaque to build up on the teeth, which can cause cavities, gum disease, and chronic bad breath. Regularly breathing through the mouth can also, over time, lead to strained jaw joints, snoring, sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils, and a higher risk for airway disorders, including asthma.

According to Cleveland Clinic, breathing through the mouth disrupts the regular flow of saliva, which typically plays a role in keeping your mouth clean. Dry mouth, pillow drooling and malocclusion also can occur from mouth breathing.

People experiencing symptoms of sinusitis lasting for more than a week are advised to seek a physician. An ENT specialist might recommend a saline solution or over-the-counter medication, and if those don't help symptoms improve, they might prescribe antibiotics, a corticosteroid spray or even recommend sinus surgery, according to NHS inform.

According to Richmond Breathe Free's website, Dr. John Ditto earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, where he was recognized for his research. He then received specialized training in ear, nose, and throat disorders at the University of Michigan's Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.