How to Prevent Mask Mouth

Masks have played an instrumental role in limiting the spread of disease during the ongoing pandemic. However, wearing a mask for long periods of time can have side effects on your oral health. Since wearing a mask is an important part of protecting yourself and others, we here at Castle Family Dentistry want to provide you with tips to prevent mask mouth

What is Mask Mouth?

Mask mouth is a variety of side effects that can be caused by wearing a mask for an extended period of time. Mask mouth could include dry mouth, tooth decay, bad breath, and even gum disease. Mask mouth can be caused by:

  • Breathing Patterns. A study by PNMedical has shown that wearing a mask can cause more rapid, shallow breaths using your mouth. Breathing through your mouth can decrease the amount of saliva. This reduction in saliva can be bad for your oral health, as saliva plays an important role in things like defending your teeth from cavities.
  • Dehydration. Most people wearing a mask drink less water than usual. Dehydration can cause dry mouth, which increases the chance of having bad breath and tooth decay
  • Recycling air. When wearing a mask, more carbon dioxide gets trapped in your mouth than usual. While this increase in carbon dioxide does not have an effect on your body, it can increase the acidity of your oral microbiome. This can cause an increased risk for infections or conditions like gum disease.

If you suspect that you have mask mouth, some symptoms to keep an eye out for include:

  • Dry Mouth
  • Bad Breath
  • Bleeding Gums

While the severity of symptoms varies from person to person, these are the most common symptoms to look for.

How to Prevent Mask Mouth

Even if you are experiencing symptoms of mask mouth, it is important to keep wearing your mask. Wearing your mask can protect all of us in the Washington, NJ community. Follow these tips to help fight mask mouth.

  • Brush and floss your teeth. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing your teeth once a day should be the foundation of your oral care routine. Ensuring that you are taking good care of your teeth is the first step in fighting mask mouth.
  • Use mouthwash. Using a mouthwash between cleanings can freshen your breath and fight bacteria. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help remedy bad breath and remove food debris from the mouth.
  • Stay hydrated. Drinking water throughout the day can keep dry mouth at bay.
  • Use a clean mask. Regularly cleaning or replacing your mask prevents bacterial growth.

Mask mouth can cause issues with your oral health but with proper oral care, it can be prevented. If you suspect that you may be suffering from mask mouth, call our Washington, NJ office at 908-689-0911. We’ll be more than happy to discuss your options and get you the treatment you need.

A Good-Looking Path to Better-Looking Teeth: Invisalign® Systems and Other Clear Aligners

Invisalign® at Castle Family Dentistry in Washington, NJ

Braces can feel like a bit of a contradiction. You want a clean, straight smile, but you first have to wear a highly visible device on your teeth for months on end. You want a well-aligned bite, but for a while, braces make some day-to-day tasks, such as brushing your teeth and eating some foods, more difficult.

Fortunately, for those who want to show off their pretty pearly whites as they go AND show off the results of their realignment as soon as possible, one option offered at Castle Family Dentistry in Washington, NJ is clear plastic removable aligners such as Invisalign® aligner systems.

The Benefits of Clear Aligners

Clear aligners, as their name suggests, are clear plastic devices intended to straighten your teeth over time. They are nearly undetectable by observers. Not only are they more difficult to see (getting you closer to being able to show off that perfect smile), but they can be taken out temporarily when needed, allowing you to brush your teeth or eat without distraction.

The Clear Aligner Fitting Process

For most clear aligners, including Invisalign® systems, your dentist will take a mold of your teeth and send it in. From there, orthodontic experts will determine the difference in positions between where your teeth are and where you want them to be and will create several stages of aligners to gradually move your teeth into the desired position. You’ll have to wear the aligners most of the time—about 22 hours a day. At certain points in the process as your teeth change position, you’ll move on to the next device, switching them out until your teeth are right where you want them to be.

Alternatively, there are kits you can order to take a mold of your teeth at home. This is an overall less expensive process, but you aren’t likely to achieve the same results and you lose the benefit of your dentist’s expertise. Clear aligners may not be the best solution for you, so it’s best to consult your dentist beforehand even if you decide to go this route.

How to Pay for Clear Aligners

Depending on the degree of work your teeth need, Invisalign® clear aligner treatment can cost between $3,000 and $7,000. According to the Invisalign® website, your insurance may be able to pay as much as $3,000 of the cost. For the amount your insurance doesn’t cover, you have some options.

Many dentists offer payment plans, which allows you to split a large bill into smaller payments over time. This makes payment much more manageable for some people and can be useful in emergency situations when you don’t have time to save money for the treatment before you begin.

Of course, if you can save money ahead of time, that’s probably the better option. If you’re planning to save up for an Invisalign® clear aligner treatment or something similar, you may want to consider opening a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). Accounts such as these allow you to take a certain amount of money out of your paycheck, pretax, to pay for some expenses—including, in some cases, clear aligners. The types of accounts you’re allowed to open and the amount of money you can put into them will vary depending on your situation, so talk to your bank or another financial professional about your options.

For those who can use them, clear aligners such as Invisalign® systems can be the least intrusive solution for straightening teeth. It’s nice not to have to worry about the looks and inconveniences of traditional braces! The initial cost of clear aligners may seem daunting, but options are available to help pay for them. If you have any questions about clear aligners or other methods of straightening your teeth, please give us a call at 908-689-0911. We’ll be happy to walk you through your options and help you find the best possible solution for your smile.

Learn About Castle Family Dentistry

Castle Family Dentistry

413 NJ-57
PO Box 272
Washington, NJ 07882
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Hours

Monday: 11am-7pm
Tuesday: 8am-5:00pm
Wednesday: 10am-7pm
Thursday: 9am-3pm
Friday: 8am-5:00pm

Phone

908-689-0911