Can Mask Wearing Actually ENCOURAGE Better Oral Hygiene?

Mask wearing by the general population has been recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect us from this very contagious virus. But mask wearing may have another positive aspect that you may not have thought about– it makes us more conscious of our breath!

Authors of a 2020 Brazilian survey of 4,647 individuals noted that 1,572 of those studied said they noticed negative changes in their self-perceived breath odor (halitosis) after wearing a mask. Those changes in self-perception of bad breath odor were significant enough to cause improvement of prior habits and the starting of new ones.

Ways to Keep Breath Fresh

Dr. Ganeles provides tips on keeping our teeth healthy while wearing masks in his article in www.Dr. Bicuspid.com, a leading online site for dental professionals and anyone interested in tooth and gum health. Tips include:

• Maintain oral hygiene at home
• Eat a healthy diet
• Avoid smoking and tobacco products
• Visit your dental professionals regularly
• Use non-alcohol mouthwash as part of morning routine
• Stay hydrated by drinking sufficient water
• Chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva production

 When Bad Breath Doesn’t Go Away

Bad breath that doesn’t resolve can be caused by gum disease or many other issues including:

• Dry mouth in menopause-aged women
• The result of taking some medications
• Seasonal allergies/sinus issues/postnatal drip
• Respiratory tract infections
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Chronic acid reflux/other gastrointestinal issues
• Liver/kidney problems

Don’t Ignore Gum Disease!

Our team of board-certified periodontists at South Florida Center for Periodontics & Implant Dentistry are experts at treating gum disease and understand the dangers associated with it. We’re continually studying the mouth-body connection, and how, as explained by Dr. Norkin, “by treating periodontal disease you often can lessen the Inflammatory burden on the body, thus lowering the risk of other diseases like heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.”

While we will work closely with your regular dentist, you do not need a referral in order to make an appointment. Call us today at 561-912-9993 and let us give you a healthier smile!