Before the pandemic, hopefully, a close friend or family member would nicely inform you that your breath was bad. Now we are almost to the one year mark where masks have been mandated and I'm sure at one point you have smelt your own breath and thought... gross, does it always smell like this? The answer no.
Unfortunately, at this time, most of us are experiencing "mask mouth".
On a regular basis, we naturally breathe through our nose, however, wearing a mask makes us feel like we are suffocating, so we tend to breathe through our mouth more. This is where "mask mouth" comes into play.
By breathing in through our mouth, it's causing it to dry out. When our saliva dries out, bacteria begin to form causing bad breath and cavities.
The mask also forces us to breathe in recycled air which makes the bacteria to keep building.
Below are a few ways to help combat "mask mouth":
- Stay Hydrated
- Eat a balanced diet
- Avoid smelly foods (onions, eggs, brussel sprouts)
- Wear a new mask every day or change it halfway through the day.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene
- Use mouthwash after every meal
If you notice your breath becoming worse or hasn't subsided, you should contact your dental office and schedule a routine exam and cleaning!