When it comes to masking discomfort, you probably never thought bad breath would be at the top of your list. But more than 80 million people suffer from chronic halitosis, a condition that you normally can't detect on your own.
The masks that cover the mouth and nose create a closed or contained pocket of air, which collects our breath and reintroduces any odor into the nose. If you've only had mild bad breath in the past, chronic mask use can make it worse.
When you wear a mask, you tend to breathe through your mouth rather than through your nose. That can lead to a decrease in saliva production, and saliva helps maintain a healthy balance in the mouth, cleanses our teeth, and helps fight bad bacteria. When that balance is disrupted, it can result in bad breath.
7 tricks to avoid bad breath with the mask
Stay on top of your teeth
Thanks to social distancing and working from home, many of us have put personal hygiene on the back burner. But if you're not taking care of your pearly whites, you encourage the growth of the bacteria that cause bad breath that naturally live in your mouth.
Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste and floss between your teeth daily . Also brush your tongue to remove bacteria that contribute to odor, including the back of your tongue, where most of these bacteria are found.
Control your diet
Foods like garlic and onions can cause bad breath because, even once digested, the chemicals that cause the odor are absorbed into the bloodstream and from there to the lungs, where they are exhaled.
High- protein diets are also associated with bad breath, as they force you into ketosis, a condition in which your body begins to burn fat cells for energy. This creates waste products called ketones, which your body eliminates through urine and breath.
Avoid dry mouth
It is important to stay well hydrated, as that can help keep your mouth moist and prevent bacterial overgrowth. While there is no magic number, try to always have water or sugar-free drinks on hand that you can drink frequently, and don't go overboard with caffeine, which can also dry out your mouth.
It's also a good idea to chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy to stimulate the flow of saliva.
Wash the mask frequently
When you wear a mask, respiratory particles from your breath land on it and can eventually cause an unpleasant odor.
Like any other clothing item, cotton masks need to be cleaned regularly. Ideally, you should wash your mask off every day. You can wash them with your regular clothes or, if hand washed, soak the cloth mask in bleach for five minutes and then rinse well with water.
Address your allergies
People with seasonal allergies are significantly more likely to have bad breath than those without them, according to a September 2016 study published in the European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases.
This is because postnasal drip, the movement of mucus from the sinus cavities to the back of the throat, can cause bad breath by providing a food source for bacteria.
You can help protect against this by frequently using a saline nasal rinse, which cleanses your nasal passages of excess dirt, as well as other medications to help control your allergies, such as steroid nasal sprays and antihistamines.
Visit your dentist
Up to 80 percent of people with gum disease also have bad breath, according to an October 2015 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry.
The same bacteria on the teeth and gums that cause bad breath also cause gum disease and cavities.
If left untreated, the gums will eventually separate from the teeth, leaving deep pockets that can fill with odor-causing bacteria. You may need more frequent cleanings (for example, every three to four months instead of every six months) to remove these stink bugs.
Rule out any other underlying medical conditions
If you have been to your dentist and are aware of the importance of brushing and flossing every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as sinusitis, gastric reflux or diabetes.
A common cause is tonsil stones, when food or other debris gets trapped in the crevices of the tonsils and hardens and calcifies. Washing your teeth and tongue well and gargling with salt water after eating can help, but if they persist, it may be a sign that you need a tonsillectomy.
