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We’ve now completed two years of the Covid-19 pandemic in India. These two years were no less than a rollercoaster ride for all of us. Since the pandemic entered our lives, wearing a mask has become the new normal. Initially, we were not used to it but now we can step out without our phones but not without a mask!
But is wearing a face mask exposing you to your bad breath? Well, if you can smell it under your mask, you need to find out the cause and the treatment to get rid of it ASAP.
HealthShots reached out to Dr Pradip Shah, General Physician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, to help us understand the various causes of bad breath and what we can do to reduce it despite wearing a mask.
It’s no surprise that poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of bad breath. Poor oral hygiene can lead to the build up of the bacteria in your mouth, and bacteria release sulfur compounds that smell like rotten eggs.
When you drink coffee and alcohol, you allow bacteria to stay in your mouth. This bacteria inside of your mouth produces a foul odour.
Along with coffee, alcohol, or even tea, smoking can also cause bad breath. Smoking damages your gum tissues, leading to gum infection or diseases and this can cause product bad mouth odour.
If you are fasting or eating a low carb diet in order to lose weight, this can lead to an unpleasant odour. A low carb diet alters your body’s metabolism, and this can result in bad breath.
Digestive system issues like acid reflux, constipation, bowel disorders, etc are all reasons behind bad breath under the mask.
Dry mouth is a medical condition also known as xerostomia which can result in a bad breath because it multiplies the bacteria rapidly in your mouth. You should visit a doctor to treat it.
Certain medicines you are taking for anxiety, depression, blood pressure, etc can cause bad breath.
Local mouth conditions such as tonsil infection, postnasal drip, sinus infection, etc are reasons for the foul odour.
These tips are suggested by Dr Shah:
The key to keeping bad breath at bay is drinking lots of water. Dehydration is an enemy of your oral health. Water can help your body to stay hydrated and help in flushing out the food residue and bacteria from your mouth.
Smelling your own mouth breath under the mask may be unpleasant. Thus, it can be corrected by simply using a clean mask every time and changing it frequently. It will not only keep you odour free but also reduce the risk of getting the virus.
Use an alcohol-free and antibacterial mouthwash to rinse your mouth two times a day this will eliminate the bad breath.
Not just once but brush your teeth and floss twice a day followed by rinsing.
While brushing, don’t ignore the tongue. Cleaning the tongue also plays a crucial role in maintaining oral hygiene because it has the ability to reduce bacteria in your mouth. And tongue scraping is the best way!
Certain foods like excessive fish, eggs, garlic, onions, coffee, etc may cause your mouth to breathe badly. So, avoid such foods.
It is important to see a dentist every once in a while. In fact, if your bad breath does not go away then you should definitely visit a dentist.
Avoid certain medicines which you feel are producing bad breath but before doing so always consult with your doctor.
Not only tobacco but avoid the consumption of smoking and alcohol as well because they can contribute to bad breath that will not go away even post brushing.
Limit your sugar consumption because sugar causes decay of teeth. And when tooth decay and cavities occur it can increase the chance of mouth odour.
So ladies, follow these tips and keep your bad mouth odour at bay!
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Aayushi Gupta is a health writer with a special interest in trends related to diet, fitness, beauty and intimate health. With around 2 years of experience in the wellness industry, she is connected to leading experts and doctors to provide our readers with factually correct information. ...Read More
