Now that we are all used to wearing masks, you might be familiar with the idea of “mask breath.” The equivalent of cupping your mouth to smell your own breath, your mask can hold noticeable odors that aren’t exactly pleasant to smell!
If you have ever seen a professional for bad breath, then you may have heard of the technical term, halitosis, which is usually due to a limited amount of saliva production in your mouth. Although saliva is a natural bodily function that helps keep your mouth clean, we can’t solely rely on that for good oral health.
If you are experiencing bad breath, there are a few culprits that may be causing the odor. Read on to learn how bad breath occurs.
5 Causes of Bad Breath
1. An underlying medical condition like gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux can cause noticeably bad breath. Bad breath can also be a sign of untreated disease. If you still notice your bad breath after cleaning your mouth, it could be a sign of a separate health issue.
2. Diet can play a big role in mouth odor. As reported on CNN, bacteria feeds off sugar and this results in a foul odor. If you enjoy egg, onion, fish, coffee, or sugar you should plan to follow up with a large glass of water to deter any foul smells.
3. Bacteria leftover from un-flossed teeth can leave behind a stench. Make sure to brush your teeth and tongue and floss twice a day to keep your breath minty fresh and bacteria-free.
4. If you tend to breathe mainly through your mouth, you could be affecting salvia production too. If you’re a mouth breather or a snorer, you can combat morning breath by staying hydrated and following a normal dental hygiene routine.
5. Drinking water plays a key role in oral and overall health! If you are wearing a mask, you could be consuming less water than you use to. It’s important to make sure you maintain a consistent water intake to wash away unwanted bacteria.
Say Goodbye to Bad Breath
If you are inhaling stinky “mask breath,” it could be time to make an appointment with your dentist.
Mask or no mask, at Woodmen Dental Group, we are dedicating to keeping your oral health in tip-top shape. Book your appointment today.