Now that face masks have become a staple in our daily lives, some people have noticed an unfortunate side effect from wearing the protective coverings for long periods of time – bad breath.
The phenomenon, which has been dubbed “mask mouth”, is a real thing according to several Canadian dental associations that have offered tips on how to avoid it.
Mask mouth is the bad smelly breath underneath your mask. Mask-wearing can result in bad breath for a number of reasons, but the main culprit is poor oral hygiene. An increase in plaque and tartar, which is bacteria, can cause the bad smelly breath underneath the mask.
With people cooped up inside and not going out to see people as often, some people may be neglecting their regular oral hygiene habits.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic forced dental offices across much of the country to close for around three months in the spring, which meant many Canadians missed their regular checkups and cleaning appointments.
Extended mask use can affect the balance of bacteria in the mouth. When people breathe while wearing a mask, there is the risk that it can increase the number of bacteria in the mouth over time.
Although face masks can lead to bad breath and other oral health issues, there are simple ways to prevent that from happening while still wearing a covering to stay safe during the pandemic.
Tips to avoid mask mouth
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day
- Flossing between your teeth daily
- Do not forget to brush your tongue
- Swish your mouth with mouthwash before putting on a mask
- Drink more fluids throughout the day to keep the body hydrated
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, marijuana, and vaping since they can cause dry mouth, inflammation, enamel damage, teeth staining, and even oral cancer.
- Avoid sugary foods and acidic beverages.
- Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow
- Regularly wash your reusable face mask or replace disposable masks
- Eat a balanced and nutritious diet
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Learn how to stay safe by enrolling in a mask fitting test which is a requirement for many workplaces and school admissions or the available masks for sale by visiting our face mask sale page.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449