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This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
Is there evidence that wearing face masks is causing serious dental problems?
Monday, November 30, 2020
By Lauralei Singsank
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NO
There have been no studies establishing serious long-term dental problems arising from wearing face masks.
Wearing a mask for hours daily can lead to dehydration, as many people breathe through their mouths, not their noses, while wearing the protective covering. Dehydration can lead to bad breath. Hence "mask mouth" is a new nickname for bad breath caused by prolonged mask wearing. Dehydration potentially can contribute to cavities and gum disease, but there is no evidence on that point.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that anyone wearing personal protective equipment for long periods of time (namely health-care workers) drinks plenty of water and takes scheduled breaks when protective gear can be safely removed.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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