Nobody wants to deal with bad breath by wearing a mask.

But it turns out that if there’s a bad smell coming from your mask; it’s probably coming from your breath. Earlier, you’re probably used to wearing a mask whenever you leave the house due to the reduced shedding of COVID-19. It’s just part of your routine.

Unfortunately, wearing a mask isn’t glamorous for everyone. Some people smell something smelly under the mask, and it comes from their mouths. It is never pleasant to smell someone’s bad breath, let alone smell yours for hours on end. Don’t blame the mask. The stench of your “masked breath” actually reveals an existing oral health problem.

Bad breath, also named halitosis, is usually the result of decreased saliva production. These are common causes of bad breath and how to treat them, so your mask doesn’t smell too bad on your next outdoor adventure. And in most cases, getting rid of mask breath is as easy as identifying the problem and using a quick fix.

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

The most apparent reason for the terrible breath smell through the mask may be poor oral hygiene. When you don’t brush your teeth properly, plaque builds up on your teeth. These clumps of bacteria from between and around the teeth, create undesirable and unpleasant odours. The easiest solution is to brush your teeth properly and floss your teeth regularly. This removes unwanted food particles that cling to the teeth and feeds these undesirable bacteria, causing bad breath.

2. Gum Disease (Periodontal)

About 50% of adults over the age of 30 and 70% over 65 have advanced stages of gum disease. This disease is also called periodontitis. As mentioned, gum disease occurs when plaque builds up on the teeth, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Over time, that plaque turns into tartar. Tartar is more difficult to remove, making it easier for bacteria to stay and affect breathing.

3. Eat a Low Carb Diet

Low-carb diets affect the functioning of your metabolism. In other words, your body digests food differently. When you eat a large amount of protein, it can be difficult for your body to digest. As a result, the body releases sulphurous gases that can cause bad breath, also known as keto breath. To avoid this problem, consider not going on a low-carb diet and instead focusing on your calorie expenditure while consuming the right macronutrients for your body.

4. Smoking and Drinking Alcohol

Hot air dries out your mouth too. The decrease in saliva combined with the smell of tobacco creates a smoker’s breath. Any way to solve this problem? Stop smoking. Alcohol consumption can affect your oral microbiome and give you foul-smelling breath that can make your mask stink.

5. Certain Medications

If you’re facing acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, the acid can easily create bad breath. Untreated GERD can quickly develop into a severe illness. Bad breath can also be an early sign of other underlying diseases that don’t have noticeable symptoms.

6. Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a severe cause of bad breath. Saliva is essential in flushing away bacteria and keeping breath fresh. Unfortunately, many factors can lead to dry mouth. These include smoking, drinking, certain medications, and health problems.

7. Other Causes

A few other reasons can contribute to your bad breath behind your mask. These include allergies, tonsil infections, postnasal discharge, and sinus infections.

We’ve Got You Covered.

If you are facing halitosis, make an appointment with us! Our dentist will be able to treat the reason for your bad breath and give you definite solutions. Here at Armidale Dental Care, we’ve taken precautions to keep you and our staff safe.