“Mask mouth” is proving to cause a few oral health issues.
Oral Health & COVID-19
There are some interesting news articles coming out linking oral hygiene to the length of time COVID19 lives on in your system. A study published July 24th on LabPulse.com by Special Care Dentistry Association is linking poor oral health to longer hospital stays for those recovering from COVID19.
What the Study Says about COVID-19 and Oral Hygiene
Evidence has shown that oral bacteria may play a role in infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension — the four main comorbidities associated with increased risks of complications and death from COVID-19 — are linked with altered oral biofilms and periodontal disease. These links are also part of the reason dentists are using preprocedural rinses to reduce the viral load in the patient’s mouth. Therefore, a possible connection between poor oral health or a lack of attention to oral care and the novel coronavirus isn’t surprising. Proper oral hygiene may decrease the observed viral shedding period and prevent unnecessarily long hospital stays, the authors wrote.
Wearing a Mask and Noticing Some Bad Breath?
“Mask mouth” is happening for various reasons. Breathing through your mouth instead of your nose leads to dry mouth. Less saliva in your mouth allows for a build-up of bacteria. Saliva is what neutralizes acid in the mouth and helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease. We are also drinking less water because of these masks, and water helps to keep the mouth area moist and prevent these bacteria from having a dry place to land!
And it’s not just bad breath that you need to worry about. That “stink” means you have bad bacteria going on, which leads to gum disease — or periodontal disease. This may eventually lead to stroke and an increased risk of heart attacks. The best way to get rid of these bad bacteria is by brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to your dentist in Regina.
What can you do to prevent the oral issues?
Brushing your teeth is incredibly important, and you should try to brush two to three times a day. Flossing, and gargling with alcohol-free mouthwash also are important. Drink more water, cut down on caffeine, snag a humidifier (to help moisten the air), scrape your tongue, and don’t smoke. Don’t be afraid to continue with your regular dental appointments. Dental offices are following some of the most stringent protocols of any industry – and always have! Downtown Dental Centre is no different. We are keeping things nice and clean and taking every precaution we can. Taking care of your oral health is a proven benefit to your overall health.
