With Covid-19 STILL affecting our day to day lives, we have all grown accustomed to wearing face masks. This has garnered a new phrase by some dentists called “mask mouth”.
Mask mouth refers to wearing a mask for many hours of the day, which can lead to dry mouth (decreased saliva) from increased mouth breathing.
As humans, we need an adequate amount of saliva to fight bacteria as well as for it’s cleaning effect of washing away food debris. When we don’t have enough saliva, that can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, and even receeding gums. Not appealing!
So all that said … while some people may blame mask mouth for these issues, many would argue that these issues are a lot more reflective of poor dental hygiene habits, or lack there of.
So, what’s the moral of the story? The moral of the story is this: take good care of your teeth every single day. That, of course, includes brushing twice a day, plus flossing. You’ll also want to drink A LOT of water to stay nice and hydrated and make smart choices when it comes to food and drink.
Whether you are wearing a mask or not, feeling like you have a healthy mouth will depend on you!
Be sure to also see your dentist twice a year for a checkup and cleaning.
Located in Abbotsford? We would love to have you and your family as new patients at Townline Dental. Give us a call today: (604) 744-1513
