Sales of breath freshening products have soared in recent months as millions of American mask wearers have been forced to endure the stench of their own malodorous breath.
Antiseptic mouthwash sales are up a whopping 350 percent. Revenues from breath strips, Tic Tacs and Lifesavers have increased nearly five-fold since March.
“In some instances, we can’t keep these products on the shelves,” says an industry insider. “It seems a vast number of Americans are beginning to realize they may have a problem with fresh breath.”
The issue could be a bit more complicated than simply clueless Americans waking up to the fact their mouth smells like a garbage disposal. Scientists say wearing a mask inhibits the introduction of fresh air, permitting germs to fester and multiply.
“It’s akin to recirculating the air in your car rather than refreshing,” says a leading mouth and body odor researcher. “Try turning off the AC and closing the windows of your car on a warm summer day, the cabin of your vehicle will begin to smell like a locker room in no time. I should know, I smell armpits for a living.”
Experts encourage mask wearers to drink plenty of water, brush frequently and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash.
Says the pit sniffer, “A positive takeaway is that some in the public are getting a whiff of what their colleagues have had to endure for years. If when this is all over, everyone’s a bit more attentive to their mouth hygiene, then maybe it will have all been worth it.”
If there is something 