Why Does Your Mask Give You Bad Breath?

Bad breath is usually a major hit to your self-confidence, whether someone else pointed it out to you or you caught a random whiff when the wind blew just right, bad breath is never something you want coming out of your mouth. There are a lot of ways to avoid bad breath. For instance, practicing good dental habits and avoiding smelly food – but, then the pandemic threw a wrench into the situation. While they assist us in staying healthy, masks also make our breath terrible. Is there a reason for this? Yes, and unfortunately, it may not be something we can avoid – completely.

The Downside to the Mask

More people than ever before have been wearing masks, leading many to ask why their breath seems to be getting worse. Fortunately, with a mask – most people aren’t going to notice your breath can clear a room. It is true, however, that your mask may be causing an increase in the bacteria that causes odor in your mouth. As we wear a mask, we are more likely to breathe through our mouths. If we wear a mask for the majority of our day – breathing through our mouths – we become susceptible to a condition called dry mouth. As our saliva decreases in our mouth, we lose the neutralizing agent that protects against bacteria and tooth decay. The end result is bad breath. By the time you remove your mask at the end of the day, your mask may be ready for the trash bin just because of the stench it puts off.

Solving the Puzzle

Wearing a mask is an important element for staying healthy, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer from bad breath every time you put on a mask. Since dry mouth causes bad breath, and masks inhibit dry mouth, the solution to solving the puzzle is preventing dry mouth. Here are some ways to do this:

• Good Dental Hygiene. The first step to good breath and a healthy level of saliva is making sure to have a good dental hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing twice per day and seeing your dentist twice a year will help keep your mouth healthy.
• Stay Hydrated. A smart choice to stay in good health, drinking enough water throughout the day will keep your saliva levels up and your body hydrated.
• Take a Break. Give yourself breaks during the day, in safe spaces, that allow you to remove your mask to breathe freely. Ideally, go outside and take a walk. This is great for your mental and physical health and will help keep bad breath at bay.

In Good Hands

For the time being, masks are going to be a part of all of our lives. As we adjust to this new normal, we encourage you to do your best to stay healthy. A great way to stay in good overall health is to stay on top of your dental check-ups. At Alrez Family Dentistry, we are committed to giving you a healthy, beautiful smile. We also have resources available to help you stay on the right track throughout the year. Schedule an appointment today – we look forward to taking care of your teeth!