As wearing masks quickly became the new normal, we’re sure you noticed how quickly your breath changed with it. This is commonly referred to as “mask breath”, but in reality, your mask isn’t to blame for this smell. Think of wearing a mask as constantly cupping your mouth to smell your own breath.
Bad breath, properly referred to as Halitosis, is usually a result of decreased saliva production. There are plenty of reasons you could be experiencing bad breath, but we made a list of the most common reasons.
Bad Breath Culprits
Diet is a large culprit to bad breath. Foods like garlic, coffee, fish, eggs, and onion are all known to leave an odor behind. Along with these foods, sweets can also leave an odor. According to CNN, bacteria feeds off of sugar, leaving a foul odor behind. This often happens with gummies and caramels. If you have a sweet tooth, your best option is to go with plain chocolate!- When wearing a mask, you’re not able to drink anything. If you aren’t drinking as much water as you normally do, it can result in bad breath. Drinking water regularly allows for bacteria to be washed away before they multiply and cause your breath to smell.
- When food gets trapped between your teeth and gums, bacteria will begin to break down, leaving a stink behind. If you’re experiencing this, try brushing your teeth and tongue three times a day, flossing, and using a fluoride mouthwash.
- We all know the bad reputation mouth breathers have, and one of them is for having bad breath. At night, saliva production is decreased and mouth breathing or snoring can further dry out the mouth, making your breath even fouler than the normal “morning breath.” The best way to combat the mouth breathing stench is to drink lots of water and continue with a normal healthy dental hygiene routine.
- Many underlying medical conditions lead to bad breath. If you’re experiencing acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, the acid can easily create bad breath. Untreated GERD can develop into serious illness. Bad breath can also be an early sign of an underlying disease that doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms.
Diet is a large culprit to bad breath. Foods like garlic, coffee, fish, eggs, and onion are all known to leave an odor behind. Along with these foods, sweets can also leave an odor. Kiss Bad Breath Goodbye
If over the past year you’ve noticed your “mask breath”, consider making an appointment with your dental provider! During this visit, the dentist will be able to help determine the culprit of your bad breath and be able to recommend some solutions. At Appletree Dental, we are following all safety precautions to keep you and our staff safe.