While face masks have helped keep us all safer from contracting and spreading COVID-19, people who consistently had healthy teeth and gums are now showing new dental problems and it’s not because of unhygienic practices but because of face masks.
Using face masks has increased the dryness in our mouth which helps bacteria and viruses propagate. Saliva serves as a protective barrier and has antimicrobial components that help fight bacteria.
We aim to keep our patients safe by preventing the conditions below that we are seeing more frequently:
Gum disease
Gum disease can start with a dry mouth or plaque buildup and slowly damages the gums and bone structure in the mouth. It begins without early warning signs or pain and only becomes apparent when symptoms like inflamed and receding gums start to show.
Inflamed gums
Inflammation is our immune system’s response to the attack of bacteria and viruses. It is never a good sign and can mean that the abundance of bacteria in our mouth is attacking the gums due to the lack of antimicrobial components of saliva. If left untreated, it can lead to periodontal disease.
Increases tooth decay
Due to the dryness in the mouth caused by face masks, there isn’t enough saliva to flush food particles in our teeth. With bacteria thriving in the presence of sugar, they will start to breed from the food particles and cause tooth decay.
Bad breath
Halitosis or bad breath is due to the odor-causing bacteria present in our mouth and prolonged dryness in the mouth makes it much worse. You may notice this when there’s a change in the smell of your breath whenever you’re wearing a facemask for hours and your mouth starts to dry up.
Tips
Be mindful of dry mouth, make it even more of a priority than ever before to keep up with your oral hygiene. I know we sound like a broken record, but, DRINK LOT’S and LOT’s of filtered water too. Most people don’t consume enough water and by staying hydrated, you can improve your overall health.
If you are noticing any changes in your gums, have regular bad breath, or have any pain in your mouth, it’s time to make a dentist appointment! We are always here to answer any questions over the phone also.