Face Mask Tips For Bad Breath And Dry Mouth

August 26, 2020
Face mask tips for bad breath and dry mouth during COVID-19 pandemic

If you’re following the face mask protocols, you may have noticed the stinky smell that develops while you’re wearing a mask for hours. The COVID-19 quarantine started the face mask culture and it comes as a double-edged sword. While face masks prevent the spread of the virus, it also affects the dryness in our mouth which is the perfect environment for bacteria to flourish.

Why do I have bad breath every time I wear my face mask?

Have you ever wondered why, even if you have no known dental problems,  your breath still stinks while wearing a mask? Well, many reasons contributes to that which include:

  • Increased dryness in your mouth
  • Underlying undetected medical and dental condition like dry mouth
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Munching on too many sweets – bacteria’s favorite
  • Eating sulfides-rich foods like garlic

Helpful face mask tips to get rid of bad breath and dry mouth during COVID

It’s uncertain how long we’re going to have to wear face masks to protect ourselves. However, that doesn’t mean you have to endure stinky breath while this pandemic lasts. Here are some face mask tips to save yourself from passing out due to stinky breath:

  • Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day: Keep brushing and flossing to prevent plaque and decrease the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
  • Gargle mouthwash that contains cetylpyridinium chloride or chlorhexidine:  These antibacterial components kill the bacteria left in your mouth after brushing your teeth.
  • Hydrate often: Drink water to maintain the flow of saliva that can also help kill bacteria in your mouth. 
  • Stop mouth breathing: We unconsciously tend to breathe through our mouths while wearing masks. However, this increases the dryness in our mouth which breeds more bacteria that cause bad breath.
  • Limit your sweets and eating smelly foods and drinks: Sugar is the superfood of bacteria and eating sweets only make them propagate faster as you take every bite. Also, foods with sulfide-content make the breath even worse, so try not to eat them when you’re going to wear your mask for a while. 
  • Tooth decay: You might have developed a tooth decay that causes bad breath. Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you suspect that you have tooth decay that is causing stinky breath.

When stinky breath still persists, Locust Family Dentistry can help

If you tried the face mask tips above and nothing works, there can be other underlying dental conditions that need the attention of a dental professional. Dr. Wael Zeitouni wants to get to the bottom of the stinky smell as much as you do, so we provide:

Locust Family Dentistry provides comprehensive dentistry in Locust and its neighboring communities. Schedule an appointment now so we can address your dental issues as soon as possible. Your safety is our priority.