Do Masks Cause Bad Breath?

When we resumed dental care at Smile Studios in Redmond, we immediately observed that many patients’ gums were more inflamed than at their last visit.  We also had an increased number of patients complaining of bad breath and bleeding gums.  Our initial thought was that many of our patients were overdue for their cleaning visit, and we attributed these issues to this factor alone.  However, further observation of patients and their symptoms led to the realization that masks are causing peoples’ mouths to dry out, which can lead to gum disease, stinky breath, and tooth decay.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most Americans went from never having worn a mask to wearing one every time they’re in public.  Masks help protect the wearer and those around them by covering the mouth and nose.  However, this can also cause the person wearing the mask to breath through their mouth, rather than their nose.  Mouth breathing causes ‘dry mouth’, or a reduction in saliva in the mouth.  Saliva is critical to oral health because it neutralizes bacterial acids and protects against tooth decay.  With insufficient saliva, tooth enamel becomes more vulnerable to demineralization. This contributes to bad breath.  Mouth breathing also leads to gum inflammation and bad breath. 

In addition, wearing a mask impedes drinking water as frequently as you otherwise would.  This lack of hydration, combined with an increased consumption of alcohol and caffeine, can lead not only to bad breath, but also to deteriorating oral health.  It is important to remember that oral disease – particularly periodontal or gum disease – has a harmful effect on the whole body and contribute to strokes and even heart disease.

What can you do to keep your breath fresh and protect your dental health?

Wearing a mask in public is vital to keeping our community safe right now.  In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, Dr. Subherwal recommends the following tips:

– Increase your intake of water – take private breaks from your mask to drink water
– Decrease caffeine consumption
– Brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and floss daily
– Brush your tongue daily or use a tongue scraper
– Schedule regular dental checkups

If you have any concerns such as bleeding with brushing or flossing, we encourage you to make an appointment with us at Smile Studios in Redmond. In the meantime, we encourage your to keep hydrated. Please click the link below to book online.