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 you usually can't detect on your own.
Masks that cover the mouth and nose create a closed or contained air pocket, which collects our breath and reintroduces any odors into the nose. If you've only had mild bad breath before, chronic use of masks can make it worse.
When you wear a mask, you tend to breathe through your mouth rather than your nose. That can lead to a decrease in the saliva production, and saliva helps maintain a healthy balance in the mouth, cleans our teeth, and helps fight bad bacteria. When that balance is disrupted, bad breath can result.
7 tricks to avoid bad breath with a 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 bad breath-causing bacteria that naturally live in your mouth.
Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste and clean between teeth daily with floss. you brush too language to kill bacteria that contribute to bad odours, including the back of the tongue, where most of these bacteria are found.
control your diet
Foods like the it and onion They can cause bad breath because, even once digested, the odor-causing chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream and from there to the lungs, where they are exhaled.
All the high protein diets They are also associated with bad breath, as they force you into ketosis, a condition in which your body begins burning fat cells for energy. This creates waste products called ketones, which your body eliminates through your breath and urine.
Avoid dry mouth
It's important to stay well hydrated, as this can help keep your mouth moist and prevent bacterial overgrowth. Although there is no magic number, try to always have on hand water or sugar-free drinks that you can drink often, and don't overdo the caffeine, which can also dry out your mouth.
It is also a good idea chew sugarless gum o suck candy hard sugar-free to stimulate saliva flow.
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 article of clothing, cotton masks must be cleaned regularly. The ideal would be wash the mask every day. You can wash them with your usual clothes or, if washing by hand, soak the cloth mask in bleach for five minutes, 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 the 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 clears your nasal passages of excess debris, 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 enfermedades of the gums y cavities.
If left untreated, the gums will eventually pull away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets that can fill with odor-causing bacteria. you may need more frequent cleanings (for example, every three or four months instead of every six months) to eliminate these stink bugs.
Rule out any other underlying medical conditions
If you've 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, reflux gastric or diabetes.
A common cause is tonsil stones, when food or other debris gets caught in the crevices of the tonsils and hardens and calcifies. Thorough brushing of teeth and tongue and gargling with salt water after eating can help, but if they persist, it may be a sign that you need a tonsillectomy.