West Florida News

• 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. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free, early intervention with sinusitis can help with issues like this. 

“I find that in certain conditions, early intervention is key because once you go down a road where you have had chronic infections for a long period of time, you can actually impede the sinusitis signs permanently,” Dr. Blair told the West Florida News. “Early intervention is definitely better than waiting and I find that people who act quickly have usually better outcomes than people who wait.”

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.

Dr. Matthew Blair earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Miami, according to the Gulf Coast Breathe Free's website. He obtained his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010 and completed his internship and residency in otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Michigan. Dr. Blair achieved board certification in 2015.