SE Valley Times

• Dr. Andrew Ordon of "The Doctors" says sinusitis is a possible cause of bad breath.
• Sinusitis may also cause other expected side effects, such as tooth pain.
• Treating sinusitis can be both simple and low-risk.

On an episode of the talk show "The Doctors," Dr. Andrew Ordon responded to a viewer's question about whether untreated sinusitis can cause bad breath.

"Yes, for sure," Ordon said on the show. "The minute that those sinuses get clogged up, you have a buildup of mucus; bacteria grow in there. They cause an odor that spreads, not only into the nasal cavities, but down into your mouth. In fact, bad breath is one of the major symptoms of sinusitis."

Ordon has worked as a surgeon for over 30 years. He is a two-time Emmy nominee for his role as cohost of the talk show "The Doctors," which is a daily syndicated talk show featuring medical advice.

Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center says that bad breath isn’t the only symptom sinusitis patients may experience. 

"Facial pain is is very common in chronic sinusitis,” Lee told SE Valley Times. “That essentially stems from the fact that the sinuses aren't draining or ventilating properly. When we start to get infections or inflammation in those cheek sinuses, they start to irritate those nerve roots of the upper teeth. And that can actually feel like a toothache more than a typical sinus infection."

According to Merck Manual, sinusitis symptoms include yellow or green drainage from the nose, pressure and pain in the face, a stuffy nose, bad breath, and coughing up mucus during the day and especially at night. Some people may experience fever and chills as well. 

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure and is often recommended for patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis, after they've exhausted other treatment options. The procedure is fairly straightforward, with few complications reported. Balloon sinuplasty doesn't involve cutting and there is no removal of bones or tissue during the procedure, according to Healthline.

To learn more about sinusitis and balloon sinuplasty, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz from Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center.