You look up into the mirror to check your teeth andboomyoure hit with a not-so-great smell.

Aaaand its your breath.

How is this possible?

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(You did just brush your teeth, after all.)

Well, bad breath can come from your throat, too.

Bad breath from yourthroat, in particular, can be from a number of things.

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otolaryngologist withENT and Allergy Associatesin Paramus, New Jersey

Even bad breath from strep throat is possible.

And a stuffy nose only adds to the problem.

When were congested, our noses do not moisturize the air normally.

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Congestion might also force you tobreathe through your mouth, too, which can lead to dry mouth.

One of his picks isNeilMed Sinus Rinse($14.99, Amazon).

Basically, theyre just as likely to make your breath smell unpleasant, says Dr. Abramowitz.

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Try rinsing your nasal passages and drinking plenty of fluids to help thin mucus and breathe easier.

Tonsil stones

Tonsil stones are tiny, rock-like lumps that form in the pockets of your tonsil glands.

Theyre often made up of minerals like calcium, old food, and bacteria, per theCleveland Clinic.

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otolaryngologist withENT and Allergy Associatesin Paramus, New Jersey

(If youre gagging right now, thats totally understandable.)

Along with sounding unpleasant, tonsil stones can also cause bad breath from your throat.

Dry old food with bacteria has a foul odor, says Dr. Abramowitz.

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Its Amazing How Its All Connected.

And if theyre not budging?

What to do about it:

Treating acid reflux should help solve bad breath from your throat.

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Can bad breath from your throat be something serious?

Sometimes chronic bad breath is driven by a more severe problem.

Having a solid oral hygiene routine and keeping your throat hydrated is important.

Basically, it pays to brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly.

Your breath should return to normal fairly quickly.

FAQ

Why do I get bad breath after a workout?

This can typically be solved by drinking some water or gargling some mouthwash when you get home.

Why do I have bad breath in the wintertime?

There are a couple different reasons why you may get a case ofwintertime bad breath.

This dehydration could lead to a case of halitosis as well.

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