Wearing a mask can give the unpleasant sensation of ... finding out that you have bad breath.
But this problem can quickly be eradicated thanks to a few adapted hygiene measures, explains Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon invited to the Sans Rendez-Vous table, on Europe 1.
Since wearing a mask has become mandatory in public places, dentists have seen an increasing influx of patients complaining of their bad breath.
Is the mask involved?
Doctor Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon and member of the French Union for Oral Health (UFSBD) gives an update at the microphone of Mélanie Gomez in
Sans Rendez-Vous
, on Europe 1.
>> READ ALSO -
Let's chew more healthy products to avoid dental problems!
According to Dr. Lequart, it's a fact: wearing a mask increases the phenomenon of bad breath.
Indeed, "when we wear a mask, we breathe mainly through the mouth. The oral mucous membranes will therefore be less well hydrated," explains the dentist.
Hydration to fight bad breath
In addition, we generally think less about hydrating when wearing a mask.
This leads to the development of certain bacteria which produce "volatile sulfur compounds", explains the doctor.
They are the ones responsible for bad breath.
Thus, it is not surprising that wearing a mask causes a sensation of bad breath, similar to that which one observes in the morning upon waking, "because we snore at night and therefore breathe mainly through the mouth. ", explains Dr. Lecart.
But there are solutions: just drink a glass of water, eat something or brush your teeth for this bad breath to stop or disappear.
It should be remembered that bad breath is rarely caused by a disease.
In 90% of cases, it is of oral origin.
It is therefore possible to resolve this problem by reinforcing hygiene practices.
CORONAVIRUS ESSENTIALS
> "I wanted to vomit": the suffering of these women forced to give birth in masks
> When do we have contact?
And other questions that we ask
ourselves
every day
> Coronavirus: why are there so many contact cases tested negative?
> Coronavirus: from what age should you have your child tested?
> Coronavirus: the 5 mistakes not to make with your mask
Watch out for fake news
If the mask can unfortunately accentuate bad breath, beware of fake news.
On the Internet, some claim that the mask would reduce the production of saliva and therefore lead to cavities and gum problems.
Affirmations swept aside by Doctor Christophe Lequart.
"These are fake news taken up by conspiratorial sites, anti-mask sites. We must not believe them: the mask has no oral impact, except for this phenomenon of bad breath", concludes- he.