COVID-19 Pandemic: Effect of Different Face Masks on Self-Perceived Dry Mouth and Halitosis

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face masks has increased, resulting in potential health-related side-effects. Therefore, the study aimed to analyse the effect of wearing face masks on self-perceived dry mouth and halitosis. A questionnaire addressing the daily wearing time of different face masks (community masks, surgical/medical masks and KN95-/N95-/FFP2-masks) and self-perceived dry mouth and halitosis was given to adults attending or working at a university hospital. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and multiple linear regression analysis (p < 0.05). 3750 participants (age: 50.4 ± 15.5 years; 60.0% female) were included. During the pandemic, face masks were used for 4.7 ± 3.8 h per day: community masks: 0.9 ± 2.0 h, medical/surgical masks: 1.9 ± 2.8 h and KN95-/N95-/FFP2-masks: 1.9 ± 2.5 h per day. The use of face masks significantly increased self-perceived dry mouth and halitosis (both p < 0.001). Self-perceived dry mouth and halitosis increased with increasing wearing time (community masks: dry mouth: p < 0.001, halitosis: p = 0.014; medical/surgical masks: both: p < 0.001; KN95-/N95-/FFP2-masks: dry mouth: p < 0.001, halitosis: p = 0.011). The perception of dry mouth and halitosis was increased in females compared to males (both: p < 0.001). Participants used to wearing face masks prior to the pandemic perceived dry mouth to a higher extent (p = 0.043). Self-perceived halitosis was lower in older than in younger participants (p < 0.001). Due to the increased perception of dry mouth and halitosis, people might abstain from wearing face masks. Further studies need to analyse measurable changes in dry mouth or halitosis.

Effect of Face Masks on Blood Saturation, Heart Rate, and Well-Being Indicators in Health Care Providers Working in Specialized COVID-19 Center

“…The different kind of sensations connected with mask wearing attracted the increasing attention of researchers. Kanzow et al showed that the use of face masks increased the perception of dry mouth and halitosis [27]. Other recent study results suggest that N95 (FFP2) respirators are able to induce an increased facial skin temperature, greater discomfort, and lower wearing adherence when compared to the medical surgical masks [28].…”

Physiological Burdens of Prolonged Use of Surgical Face Masks among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

“…Also, the table shows that the prolonged use of face masks slightly interferes with nearly three-quarters of them (70%) with self-care activities including face and mouth washing. Table (6): The Relationship between the Studied Health Care Workers' Oxygen Saturation Mean Score and Their Occupation: The current study revealed that there was a statistically significant relation between oxygen saturation after four hours of wearing surgical masks and health care workers' occupation as P=(0.003*) with favor to physicians over nurses where p= (0.001*) and paramedical than physicians as p=(0.047*). Furthermore; there was a statistically significant relation between oxygen saturation after eight hours of wearing surgical masks and health care workers' occupation as P=(0.042*) with favor to physicians over nurses where p= (0.051*).…”

Prolonged mask wearing does not alter the oral microbiome, salivary flow rate or gingival health status – A pilot study

“…Disruptions in salivary gland function or hypsalivation (defined as when UWS is < 0.1 ml/min) can lead to dysbiosis which have been observed in individuals affected by Sjögren’s syndrome ( Rusthen et al., 2019 ) or in mouth-breathers ( Mummolo et al., 2020 ). Mask wearing has been reported to result in breathing difficulties ( Li et al., 2005 ; Lee and Wang de, 2011 ) and introducing mouth-breathing ( Kanzow et al., 2021 ), and thus it can be hypothesized that mask wearing can result in some level of mouth dryness. However, our findings did not show significant changes in UWS flow rate with increased hours of mask wear, and it was above the normal average of 0.3-0.4 ml/min at all time points.…”