Face Mask Breath is an Unexpected Problem

It doesn't take long to discover that wearing a face mask ensures we're going to have an even closer relationship with our own breath. Even if it's not bad breath, it's more noticeable than ever, and that can get on our last nerve.

I've got several friends that work at medical clinics and dental offices, and wearing masks for several hours a day is part of the new protocol for them.  All of them have mentioned how they're growing a little tired of their own breath, even if it's not a halitosis situation.  Breath is warm and constant, and masks trap the puffs.

A story came out last week that said gum and mint sales have dropped because we're not socializing as much as we used to, but I think as soon as we reach the tipping point with our own mask breathing, we'll be popping more mints than ever.

Chewing gum while wearing a mask is a bit of an adventure, isn't it?  It's not as much fun to chew gum behind a mask, but some of us love gum so much we're going to do it anyway.  I popped a piece of Mentos gum the other day as I was going to the dermatologist for a routine appointment, and I noticed my mask going up and down and shifting with each chew.  I'm sure that looked odd to the rest of the waiting room, but the gum tasted good and it seemed like a small price to pay.

Masks are worth the trouble if they help stop the spread of the coronavirus, but they also give us new challenges.

Like masks, mask breath seems to be here to stay.