This Dentist's Face Mask Hack Is a Must For Anyone Who Can't Get a Tight Fit

Face masks are the most effective when they're nice and snug against your face. It makes sense: if yours is loose, with big gaps on the sides and top, it's easier for respiratory droplets (which can carry coronavirus particles) to slip out and potentially infect others, which is exactly what the mask is supposed to prevent.

If face mask fitting is a challenge for you, dentist Olivia Cui, DMD, shared this genius hack on TikTok last month to help you out. In the video, Dr. Cui shows how simply folding your mask in half, knotting the ear loops, and tucking in the edges can result in a snugger, more protective fit. The entire process takes just 60 seconds, and the video has already been viewed over 4.4 million times and was shared by both Kristen Bell and Katie Couric on Instagram. Dr. Cui demonstrates on a surgical mask, but you can make it work on a cloth face mask as well. It's definitely worth a try if your mask feels loose — it'll be more protective and more comfortable, too.