Since the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world, face masks have become an essential part of our daily lives. While they help protect us from the virus, they can also cause a not-so-pleasant side effect: mask breath.

Wearing a mask for an extended period can cause bacteria to build up in your mouth, leading to bad breath. In this article, we will discuss how to combat mask breath and keep your breath fresh while wearing a face mask.

What is Mask Breath?

Mask breath, also known as “mask mouth,” is a term used to describe the unpleasant odor that can develop in the mouth when wearing a face mask.

While wearing a mask, the warm and moist environment within the mask creates a breeding ground for bacteria. As you breathe, talk, or cough, the bacteria in your mouth and throat become trapped, leading to bad breath.

Causes of Mask Breath

Several factors contribute to mask breath. They include:.

: Poor Oral Hygiene

If you don’t practice good oral hygiene, bacteria can accumulate in your mouth, leading to bad breath. Wearing a mask exacerbates the problem, as the bacteria have nowhere to go.

Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain good oral hygiene habits such as brushing twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash.

: Xerostomia or Dry Mouth

Dry mouth occurs when there isn’t enough saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps to wash away bacteria and food particles that can cause bad breath.

When wearing a mask, breathing through your mouth can cause your mouth to become dry and exacerbate bad breath.

: Diet

The food and drinks you consume can influence the odor of your breath. Foods like garlic, onions, and spicy foods can cause bad breath. Additionally, sugary foods and drinks can cause a buildup of plaque, leading to bad breath.

How to Combat Mask Breath

The following are some ways to combat mask breath:.

: 1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

One way to combat mask breath is to practice good oral hygiene. Several ways to do this include:.

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss once a day to remove food particles and plaque between teeth.
Use mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen breath.
Clean your tongue with a scraper or brush as bacteria can accumulate on your tongue, leading to bad breath.

: 2. Drink Plenty of Water

Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth hydrated. Water helps to wash away bacteria and food particles that can cause bad breath.

: 3. Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks

Avoid consuming foods and drinks that can cause bad breath. Examples include alcohol, coffee, garlic, onions, and spicy foods.

: 4. Chew Sugarless Gum

Chewing sugarless gum helps to stimulate saliva production, which can help wash away bacteria and freshen breath. Additionally, some sugarless gums contain xylitol, which can help reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath.

: 5. Avoid Smoking

Smoking can cause bad breath as it dries out the mouth and can lead to gum disease, which can exacerbate bad breath.

Conclusion

Wearing a mask is necessary to protect yourself and others from the COVID-19 virus. However, it can also lead to mask breath.

By practicing good oral hygiene, staying hydrated, avoiding certain foods and drinks, and chewing sugarless gum, you can combat mask breath and maintain fresh breath while wearing a mask.