Whilst face masks have had a significant role in keeping us safe during the pandemic, wearing them has had an impact on our daily oral hygiene and has led to the rise of a new oral health issue referred to as mask mouth. This phrase refers to a range of symptoms that are associated with wearing a face mask for long periods of time. Although it is not an official diagnosis, the expression ‘mask mouth’ has become commonly used to describe the rise in dental hygiene problems that have resulted from our increased mask wearing. Regardless, the rules about wearing face masks remain extremely important and it is crucial to follow these for public safety. However, alongside this, good oral care should be practiced routinely to keep the mouth healthy.
What are the symptoms of mask mouth?
The possible symptoms of mask mouth are:
-Bad breath
-Dry mouth
These symptoms can typically be experienced by long term mask wearing. If left untreated, bad oral hygiene can cause a build-up of bacteria and plaque, potentially leading to inflamed and receding gums or even tooth decay.
What causes mask mouth?
The body produces saliva as a protective barrier with antimicrobial components that fight bacteria. This makes the role of saliva incredibly important for maintaining good oral health as it can help prevent viruses from directly entering the body. Wearing a face mask can decrease our saliva production and cause dryness in the mouth as breathing tends to occur more through the mouth than nose. This lack of saliva creates a perfect breeding ground for
bacteria and viruses to grow.
When the mouth becomes dry, the saliva usually produced to flush food particles from between our teeth is decreased. The sugar in these food particles help bacteria in the mouth thrive and by not practicing good oral health, this build-up of bacteria and food debris can
potentially lead to the damage and decay of our teeth. The increase in bacteria also causes the body’s immune system to work harder to fight this, this can trigger pain and inflammation of the gums. In addition to this, wearing a mask can cause changes in our drinking behaviours as we tend to forget to keep hydrated, adding to the dehydration of the mouth. This prolonged dryness gives room for the growth of odour-causing bacteria leading to bad
breath.
How to prevent and overcome mask mouth?
Mask mouth can be prevented by reducing the amount of time spent wearing a face mask and by practicing good oral hygiene. As wearing a face mask cannot and should not be avoided, when wearing them, regular breaks for fresh air and water should be taken to refresh the mouth. This will not only help to keep the mouth moist and to improve saliva flow but drinking water regularly can also help to flush left-over food debris away from the
teeth.
Having said this, the most important element in both preventing or overcoming mask mouth is to improve our oral hygiene. This can be done through frequent brushing, flossing and use of interdental brushes to break down plaque and keep the mouth clean and healthy.
As well as improving our oral care routines, it would also be very helpful to keep our masks clean. Wearing a dirty mask can hoard bacteria and food debris which is then inhaled back into the mouth. To prevent this, face masks must be washed or replaced regularly.
What products can I use to overcome mask mouth?
There are many dental products on the market that help to keep the mouth fresh and overcome any dryness. These can include but are not limited to the following:
-Gengigel Mouthrinse – Reduces discomfort and soothes dry mouth
-TePe Interdental brushes – Deep cleans and removed plaque between the teeth
-XYLIMELTS Discs – Moisturises mouth by stimulating saliva flow
-UltraDEX Fresh Breath Spray – Delivers instant and long-lasting fresh breath