The answer is simple - YES! Since early 2020, the public have complied with the wearing of facemasks when in shops or out in public to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
What we have noticed in Northumberland Dental Care, is that many patients were complaining of halitosis or bad breath. So, patients who have never experienced bad breath were noticing it for the first time, and patients who are prone to it, were noticing it was worse!
When we investigated, we realised that many of these patients had missed their routine clean and check up in 2020 for various reasons. Facemasks are a barrier against out mouth, and behind them we breath through our mouth to help get more air into our lungs. This dries out our mouth in the same was the we keep our mouth open at night when we sleep . Excess plaque and tartar on our teeth and gums meant that some patients have more odour-releasing bacteria in their mouth, which emit a smell that we commonly know as "Bad Breath".
There are many other causes of bad breath, but of the cause of your bad breath if excess plaque and a dry mouth - we would strongly recommend you do the following
See your dentist or hygienist for a thorough cleaning of your teeth
Drinks lots of water
Eat lots of fresh vegetable to help remove plaque from your teeth
Brush your teeth twice a day with a minty toothpaste, floss, use mouthwash
Avoid strong flavored foods like garlic and onions
Listen back to our very own Dr Jennifer Collins on Today Fm recently talking about the topic!
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