5 ways to fix stinky mask breath

Is your mask giving you bad breath?

Thousands of people put on their masks this morning and came to a terrible realisation – their breath is a bit smelly. If you’re catching the odd nasty whiff when wearing a mask then the bad news is that it’s caused by you and not the mask. The good news is that it’s actually very easy to fix! Read on to learn about the main causes and our top 5 tips on how you can get back to clean, fresh breath.

What causes bad breath

Bad breath can be caused by chronic health conditions, smoking, dieting or problems with your teeth and gums. But medical reasons aside, in many of us it’s down to bacteria feeding off leftover food particles in our mouths (think between your teeth, lodged against your gums, etc…) The best course of action is to eliminate the simple causes and in the rare event that the problem persists, book a consultation with a professional.

How to fix bad breath

We’re going to assume you’re already thoroughly brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes. If you’re not, then start now and work through the rest of the list afterwards!

  1. 1. Clean between your teeth with either dental floss or a special “interdental” brush

This will clear tiny bits of food from the tight nooks and crannies that even the fanciest electric toothbrushes can’t reach.

  1. 2. Clean your tongue
The tongue is covered in tiny bumps which can trap food particles and bacteria. Either clean it with your toothbrush or buy yourself a tongue scraper.
  1. 3. Chew sugar-free gum
Chewing gum stimulates saliva which naturally “washes” your teeth and helps prevent bad bacteria building up.
  1. 4. Don’t skip lunch (or breakfast or dinner)

As food and liquid intake decreases, the body can respond by slowing saliva production. This can cause dry mouth and allow bacteria to build up, so eat well and drink plenty of fluids.

  1. 5. Use an alcohol-free antiseptic mouthwash

Alcohol-based mouthwashes kill more bacteria, but they also kill off the good bacteria that improve saliva production. Stick to alcohol-free for best long-term results against bad breath.

Bad breath is embarrassing but it can be an easy and cheap thing to fix. Floss, tongue scrapers, interdental brushes and mouthwash are all widely available at low prices. And our own Dr Denti Mouthwash Tablets come in a convenient dissolvable tablet form giving you a dentist clean feeling in the comfort of your own home. Follow our tips and the next time you pop your mask on you’ll be smelling nothing but minty freshness.