Over the past several months, seeing facemasks everywhere we go has become the norm. For the foreseeable future, these facemasks will continue to be a part of our lives to help stop the spread of COVID-19. But this change in our daily routines can have a side effect that directly involves your dentist in Holland.
*Up First: A Disclaimer
Even though there are potential ways a mask can affect your oral health, we want to be clear that the following information doesn’t outweigh the importance of continuing to wear a mask in public places. Please continue to wear your mask and use the tips provided to reduce or eliminate the potential risks we discuss below.
Breathing With a Mask
As many of us probably realize by now, we tend to breathe differently while wearing a mask than we do without one. While the mask itself is not to blame for this but rather a change in our habits, it’s important to recognize that changing the way we breathe can affect your oral health. Many people can become mouth breathers while wearing a mask, and while breathing out of our mouths instead of our noses may feel more comfortable, there are some things your dentist in Holland wants you to know about mouth breathing.
Problems With Mouth Breathing
If you take a few deep breaths in and out of your mouth instead of your nose, notice what happens. Your mouth will probably feel a bit uncomfortable, a little bit dry, and you’ll probably feel like you need a drink. This is appropriately known as dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs when there’s not enough saliva in your mouth to keep it moist. It can happen from mouth breathing or even as a result of some medications. Not only is dry mouth uncomfortable, but it can also cause some oral health problems such as:
Bad Breath
Little to no saliva means that bacteria are allowed to linger around in the mouth. These bacteria will feed on anything they can find and release an acidic, bad-smelling byproduct. The result? You guessed it — bad breath.
Cavities
Without saliva, we know that bacteria are left behind to wreak havoc on our breath, but your dentist in Holland also knows that a lack of saliva also means a greater risk for cavities. Saliva not only helps wash away bad breath bacteria, but it also helps neutralize acids that, if left alone, could cause cavities.
Tips to Reduce Dry Mouth Risks
Even though dry mouth can increase the likelihood of bad breath or developing cavities, there are easy things you can do to prevent or limit the effects of dry mouth.
- Drink Water. We should all be drinking plenty of water every day anyway, but we should definitely be drinking more now, especially if you find yourself mouth breathing through your mask. Keeping your mouth hydrated can combat that dry mouth feeling and the potential risks that come along with it.
- Suck on Hard Candy. Yes, your dentist in Holland is telling you to indulge and have some candy. However, there is a catch. Not just any candy will do. Make sure it’s sugar-free candy or gum containing Xylitol. Chewing or sucking on these can stimulate saliva production and keep dry mouth at bay.
- Brush Your Teeth. While brushing your teeth (and flossing them!) regularly won’t necessarily help combat dry mouth, it will help remove bacteria buildup and lower the risk of cavities.
If you’re experiencing the discomfort of dry mouth, we welcome you to call our dental office to schedule an appointment with us today. We’ll be happy to help you find relief.
