NINE out of 10 Filipinos wear face masks.
To be exact, 91 percent of Filipinos are unlike Donald Trump who, until recently and even then very sparingly if at all, doesn’t favor the facial covering.
A survey conducted by the Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London and YouGov, a think tank in the United Kingdom, shows Pinoys besting Hong Kong residents who are famous for wearing face masks during the pandemic. The survey, released mid-July, showed only 81 percent of people in Hong Kong wear face masks when they go out.
Indeed, the Philippines is No. 2 when it comes to wearing face masks, according to the study conducted in 29 countries and territories. No. 1 is Singapore where 94 percent wear face masks outside their residences.
Filipinos too are diligent when following health protocols during the pandemic, according to the survey. Over eight in 10 wash their hands with soap and water regularly. Half always avoid going outside to work.
In contrast, only two percent of people in Denmark, Sweden and Finland wear face masks at all times outside. It must be said here that these countries have practically flattened the coronavirus curve.
That said, there are many claims out there that face masks cause bad breath. Well, yes and no.
Yes because if you have bad breath, with or without face masks, the cover could worsen the situation since it covers the mouth and causes the owner of the mask to smell his or her oral odor.
The belief is that most if not all people cannot detect their own bad breath. So if you can smell it up close, then it’s not the mask that’s to blame, it’s been there all along. So no, face masks don’t really cause bad breath.
There are many reasons for breath most foul, among them poor oral health care. Then there are the smelly foods like garlic, coffee, fish, eggs and, of course, onions. Oral bacteria love sweets and generate a smell from all the sugary feast.
Breathing through the mouth, when snoring for example, dries out the mouth and makes breath smell bad. Some medicines dry out the mouth, a condition that could cause bad breath.
Smoking and tobacco use are another thing. So is alcohol. So there are many reasons why the breath is bad smelling. And face masks are certainly not one of them.
So wear a face mask when going out. And stay healthy.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the UE College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists. Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./PN
