The Effect of Mask Use on Bad Breath Awareness During the COVID-19 Pandemic COVID-19 Pandemisi Sırasında Maske Kullanımının Ağız Kokusu Farkındalığına Etkisi

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GENÇ H., YÜCEL L., Meral S. C., Erol U.

Journal of Ear Nose Throat and Head Neck Surgery, cilt.31, sa.1, ss.7-14, 2023 (Scopus, TRDizin)

Özet

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the use of masks, that have become almost part of our lives during coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and bad breath (halitosis). Material and Methods: This study is based on a questionnaire conducted from April 1 to May 1, 2021, among physicians, healthcare workers and their relatives in a tertiary center hospital. Results: A total of 778 individuals, comprised of 401 (51.5%) male and 377 (48.5%) female, were included in the study. Halitosis was present in 394 (50.6%) of all participants. Halitosis was present statistically higher in males than females (225 vs 169, p=0.002). The duration of the halitosis was statistically associated with not only the number of the diseases but also change in complaint of halitosis after started using mask (p=0.006 and p<0.001, respectively). The type of used mask had a strong association with the frequency of mask change (p=0.009). There was a strong relationship between the frequency of tooth brush-ing and frequency of mask change or starting/increasing complaint of halitosis after using mask (p=0.002 for both). Conclusion: Our study suggests that COVID-19 pandemic has a great impact on the awareness of halitosis. It also caused lifestyle changes of the individuals. More studies are needed to detect the effect of the halitosis on quality of life after started using mask.