Wearing a face mask is now mandatory when you head outside. It's a primary preventative measure against Covid-19. However, while it can prevent virus contraction, it can also dry your mouth making a conducive environment for bacterial growth.
Have you noticed that your breath smells unpleasant while wearing a face mask? This is due to the following reasons:
- Increased dryness of the mouth
- inadequate dental hygiene
- Eating too much sweets
- Eating garlic and other sulfides-rich foods
How To Prevent Bad Breath While Wearing Face Masks:
It's important to wear your face mask to protect yourself against the virus, but it's not necessary to endure bad breath until the pandemic is over. Here are some preventative dental tips to keep your breath fresh behind the mask:
Brush at least twice a day for two minutes and don't forget to floss to minimize oral bacterial growth.
- Gargling mouthwash with methylpyridinium chloride or chlorhexidine-content can help kill the remaining bacteria that linger in the nooks and crannies of your mouth.
- Drink water frequently to maintain the saliva flow which can also help wash off bacteria in the mouth.
- Avoid breathing on your mouth when wearing your face mask. This increases mouth dryness.
- Reduce your sugar-intake by limiting your sweets. Bacteria love to feed on sugar and this helps them propagate quickly.
- Avoid eating smelly food for they can make your breath smell worse.
- If you have cavities, this could also result in bad breath. See your dentist if you think you have tooth decay to help find a solution to address it.
If you have persistent bad breath, contact Oyster Point Dentistry. We can help you figure out a solution to your dental problem.
