As an effort to protect yourself and others during the COVID-19 pandemic, you have been taking numerous precautions. This has included staying at home more often, frequently washing your hands, and never leaving the house without a protective face covering. These are all very effective steps that everyone should be taking during this time, but it is also important to consider how your face mask is affecting your oral health. Your dentist in Skokie discusses the impact of face coverings on your smile and what you can do to keep your teeth healthy.
How Do Face Masks Impact Oral Health?
Many dentists claim that more and more patients are experiencing additional oral health problems as a result of their face coverings. This is because using masks have increased the dryness in our mouths which has allowed for a variety of issues to emerge. Here are some of the most prominent:
- Tooth decay: Along with dry mouth comes tooth decay. This is because there isn’t enough saliva to flush away food particles that bacteria thrive on. The bacteria will breed, and patients eventually experience additional cavities.
- Gum Inflammation: This is the body’s immune system’s natural response to the attack of bacteria and viruses. It likely means that there is an abundance of bacteria attacking the gums due to the lack of antimicrobial components of saliva.
- Halitosis: Halitosis, also known as bad breath, happens as a result of bacteria in the mouth. Prolonged dryness makes this worse. You may notice that this occurs when you have been wearing your face mask for a long period of time.
- Periodontal Disease: When you have dry mouth, you are more likely to develop gum disease. Over time, bacteria slowly damage the gums and bone structure in the mouth. This can lead to loose teeth and tooth loss entirely.
How Can You Prevent the Negative Oral Effects of Face Masks?
In order to prevent dry mouth and other oral health problems related to face masks, do the following:
- Drink water frequently throughout the day to stay hydrated
- Breath through your nose instead of your mouth
- Brush twice and floss daily
- See your dentist for regular checkups and dental cleanings in Skokie
It’s great that you’re wearing a mask to fight against the spread of COVID-19, but you shouldn’t forget about your oral health. By taking the steps listed above, you can maintain a healthy smile.
About the Practice
At Weiss Dental Arts, you have not just one, but two highly skilled dentists providing quality care to their patients in Skokie, IL. Dr. Brad Weiss earned his dental degree from Indiana University’s School of Dentistry in Indianapolis and continued his education at the L.D. Pankey Institute in Florida. Dr. Ali Fulreader earned her dental doctorate from the University of Maryland and is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Dental Association. For more information on maintaining good oral health or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (847) 864-0188.