Our current reality is that life could be overwhelming. There’s so much to do: work, take care of our families, deal with other pressing needs and of course, engage on social media. In the midst of this ever-active hub of events, it is very easy to lose focus of what’s important. Like sleep!

We keep hearing about how ‘successful’ individuals get by on the most minute amount of sleep daily, and are encouraged to carry on with poor sleep schedules daily- because it of course proves us to be resilient and resourceful, right? Nope.

The lack of sleep which we so gladly wear like a badge is wearing out our bodies; our teeth in particular.

In this article, we will discuss about how depriving ourselves of sleep harms our dental health.

1. Poor Sleep and Periodontitis: Is there any correlation?

Periodontitis refers to the development of pockets between your gums and teeth, which cause your teeth to move around way too loosely/freely. Here’s something to shock you: this condition has been linked to poor sleep- the poorer your sleep, the higher your risk of periodontitis.

2. Increased Inflammation is Linked to Poor Sleep

If you’re wondering about the mechanism through which periodontitis is linked to poor sleep, this will answer your question. It is because lack of sleep causes an increased level of inflammation in your gums, leading to gingivitis and periodontitis.

3. Good Sleep Helps in Tissue Repair

We have all woken up from sleep that seemed too good to be true, because of how refreshed we felt on waking up! When asleep, you are mainly using less energy and less of your body parts (including your teeth) than when we are awake. Therefore, sleep gives your body the required time to rejuvenate, and by the same mechanism, improves your oral health.

4. Sleep, Anxiety and Bruxism

When someone has a chronic situation of poor sleep, they are more likely to suffer from depression or an anxiety disorder, as well as bruxism (grinding of one’s teeth during sleep). Bruxism is very closely linked to poor sleep, and also worsens it.

This is known to increase the risk of gum disease, and lower the body’s natural immune responses, as the body is not getting the required rest for re-building of tissues and correction of certain faults within the immune system that would otherwise have been noticed during sleep.

A Good Night’s Rest and Dental Health

Quality sleep has been de-emphasized in current parlance, while we all run on empty sleep tanks.

It is important to note that what matters is not just how long you sleep for, but the quality of your sleep as well. To have excellent teeth and gum protection, you would require about 7-8 hours of restful sleep per day.

Yet, that’s not all. Maintaining a set of sparkly teeth would require that you brush and floss your teeth properly, every day, and if you already have deep-seated issues with your oral health, you might need to see your dentist for some form of cosmetic dentistry in NYC.

These issues can range from loosening of teeth, to tooth pain, bleeding gums and a host of other issues. Your dentist would be in a proper position to let you know what the problems are, how they can be solved, and the right treatment plans based on your needs.

Being proactive about your dental health means that you incorporate all the needed things for excellent dental health, inclusive of good/adequate sleep, good oral hygiene and taking care of any long-standing dental issues, so as to improve your self-esteem and create an aura of peace around you, all day, every day.

Alaska Sleep Clinic is the most comprehensive sleep lab in Alaska, with four locations in Anchorage, Soldotna, Fairbanks and Wasilla.  We work closely with local dentists and orthodontists on oral sleep appliances for our patients that do not improve with CPAP.

Call us today for a free sleep consultation with a board-certified sleep specialist.