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Dentist approved strategies for protecting teeth and gums from “mask mouth”, a dangerous dental condition caused by frequent and extended use of facial coverings.
Dentists have jumped into the fray regarding the contentious issue of mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID. And, what they are seeing is pretty nasty.
Rob Raimondi DDS, a co-founder of OneManhattanDental, said half of his patients are suffering from negative dental issues due to mask-wearing.
He calls it “mask mouth”, a play on words for the well-known term “meth mouth” used to describe the poor oral health of chronic meth users. (1)
How Wearing a Mask Harms Dental Health
Dr. Marc Sciafani, also of OneManhatten Dental, describes the problem as stemming from the mouth breathing that typically occurs when people wear a mask.
Mouth breathing causes dry mouth, which leads to a decrease in saliva. It’s the saliva that fights pathogenic bacteria in the mouth and cleanses your teeth in between brushing and flossing sessions at home.
Dr. Raimondi warns that the effects of mask mouth are serious.
We’re seeing inflammation in people’s gums that have been healthy forever, and cavities in people who have never had them before.
This gum inflammation, known as periodontal disease, is no minor matter either. It can eventually lead to strokes and an increased risk of heart attacks, according to his partner Dr. Sciafani.
Gum disease is particularly dangerous for pregnant women. A study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine found that periodontitis can trigger premature labor and low birth weight babies (2)
Tips to Avoid Mask Mouth
While the dental dangers from wearing a mask are very real, the fact is that they are mandatory in many areas of the world. Hence, many people are forced to wear them for hours at a time at their job.
Fortunately, once you are aware of the health effects to your teeth and gums from wearing a mask, you can take some easy steps to mitigate the risks.
Dr. Sclafani suggests these strategies for protecting dental health from the ravages of mask-wearing:
- Drink more water.
- Cut down on caffeine, which is a diuretic (pulls water out of the body and increases the risk of dehydration).
- Use a humidifier to moisten the air.
- If you use mouthwash, make sure it is alcohol-free.
- Brush or scrape your tongue when cleaning your teeth.
- Do not smoke.
Other Important Strategies
Of course, it goes without saying that if you use cloth masks, daily washing in warm water and mild soap is absolutely imperative! And, never EVER share masks. Research has shown that the bacteria that cause cavities are easily transmitted between people.
Regular use of oral probiotic lozenges to boost the cleansing and protective effect of the saliva is a smart strategy to consider as well.
(1) Dentists say ‘mask mouth’ can cause serious health complications, including strokes
(2) Periodontitis: A risk for delivery of premature labor and low-birth-weight infants
Are there any studies that prove the effectiveness of “mouth” probiotics?
Yes there are … if you check my articles on oral probiotics, you will see them listed as references. Here’s one that came to my mind first although there are several others as well. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/probiotic-strains-matched-by-health-problem/
I wonder why we never heard about this issue before, even though many thousands of health care professionals have been wearing masks on the job without any protest for many years before the pandemic.
I also wonder whether the the high percentage of cases of this phenomenon quoted (50%) could be the result of healthy people just not going to the dentist for routine checkups and cleaning during the pandemic, which skews the percentages.
I agree that wearing a mask in certain settings is important these days and that we all need to be educated on proper techniques, but I’m concerned that the sensational way the media presents the issue is just going to add fuel to the fire of the non-compliant and the mask protesters.
My guess is that dentists never considered mask wearing as a factor for poor dental health before. Also, prior to COVID, healthcare workers did not routinely wear masks ALL DAY LONG. Only surgery staff would wear them for hours at a time and this is a very small percentage of healthcare workers overall. I have several doctors and nurses in my family, and none of them ever wore masks before a few months ago unless a surgical procedure was being performed.
Sarah, as someone who has done a lot of research about breathing and especially the importance of nasal breathing (I tape my mouth closed at night to force nasal breathing), I’m super disappointed that the first tip is not, “become conscious of your breathing and keep your mouth shut inside your mask.” Why not prevent this problem in the first place? You don’t even mention keeping your mouth shut specifically anywhere.
These are dentist approved tips … 🙂 Many people feel extreme anxiety wearing a mask and they simply cannot nose breath as they feel they aren’t getting enough air (which they aren’t). So asking people to do something they emotionally likely cannot is not helpful.
I would say what would be more harmful than mask mouth is not surviving a pandemic. This is only a brief moment in history. Do whatever you can do to survive this moment. You can prevent dangers of mask mouth and deal with the discomfort of wearing masks.
A nurse said, if you don’t like wearing a mask, you really won’t like wearing a Ventilator. The difficulty breathing with a Ventilator is 10 times worse. Image fighting for every breath you take – drowning slowly.
Yes, masks are a pain. But a slow drowning death is worse.
Hi there, and many thanks for your articles. I am one who wears a mask, reluctantly, at work as well. I am not a mouth breather, but I do have some of these symptoms. My dentist is still closed and now I’m forced to find a new one.
I just wanted to also say that mask mouth is one of many health issues, both physical AND psychological, from wearing a mask. Each day I go to work, my anxiety increases, my blood pressure rises, and I fewl like I’m going to have a nervous breakdown or something. And I’m with Isadora, that job is the only time and place I wear a mask.
It also should go without saying that the whole reason for masks is to protect yourself from getting and transmitting to your family and your neighbor (remember love your neighbor as yourself?) a very serious illness, way beyond mask mouth. Over 170,000 Americans have DIED so far, and that’s just confirmed cases. Get over yourselves with whining about wearing a mask around others. Shame on you for complaining. Wait until you or your loved one is in hospital alone and see how you feel then. Then you’ll see what the Twilight zone feels like.
There are also so many people getting bronchitis, headaches, dizziness, trouble breathing even with the mask off, and worse. These “solutions” they come up with have no balance to them in the real world! It is surreal. I also refuse to wear a mask for the moral stand and most places that have it designated as “a must” , say nothing to me! We must start doing what is right. The chances of giving someone COVID from passing them in a store is practically nil!
Thank you for this post. My husband has to go every 3 months to the dentist to get a cleaning because he is a mouth breather. As far as masks are concerned, I agree everyone should wear them in order to not expose others to the virus. Simple act of kindness towards others.
Sarah, the article says the mouth dried out from mouth breathing. From that, if we focused on nose breathing, that should eliminate or reduce the affect of getting a dry mouth.
On wearing a mask in stores, my thoughts are with the staff who see/exposed to hundreds of people per day. For those folks I wear a cloth mask, to help protect them.
I responded to this in another comment … the people who mouth breath are typically feeling anxiety from wearing a mask and are unable to nose breath as they feel they are not getting enough air.
I totally agree, I have started going to stores Without a mask and no one has asked me to put one on mask. I was in 2 different voting locations and wasn’t given a second look. If I’m asked I explain I have a medical condition and the store finds a way to accommodate me. If they can’t I leave and go somewhere else.
There are face shields that cover your whole face, but not your mouth or nose. I have worn it when I have to.
Yes, those are a good option. However, some places require a mask along with them, which is ridiculous!
Oh yes, Sarah, I understand your reason for the post and I was mostly being facetious. It’s just annoying to me that we even have to make articles like this. Wish our country had done with Sweden did… Not mandate social distancing / masks, but strongly suggest. My husband is required to wear one for work but everywhere else we go, we don’t wear one unless we are asked to.
I agree … it’s insane I’m even writing about this. I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone. People need these tips though … the mask wearing for hours on end is really harming some folks.
We are not Sweden, in so many ways, namely size, mentality, culture, education, ethics, and social system i.e. healthcare. The biggest problem here, on this topic, is people’s lack of caring for each other. I get that mask wearing is inconvenient, but Sarah is very right when she says some ppl, regardless of pandemic, are required to mask up for their jobs. To complain about wearing a mask, which has been proven to diminish the risk to OTHERS, is selfish, unpatriotic and immoral.
I have a great idea! Let’s just skip the masks all together! ?
Unfortunately, this is not even remotely possible for many people who would lose their jobs if they refused to wear a mask. No matter where you fall on this issue, it is important to identify helpful information for those who are not in a situation where they can opt out.
I agree totally! I have not worn a mask at all and don’t even own one!