Sleep. Oh, sleep. Wonderful, beautiful sleep. It isn’t until we lose it that we realize how precious it is. Most of us become grumpy and not really functioning at our best. Did you know one in three people suffer from poor sleep?
We think it is pretty safe to say that it is vital for good health to have plenty of sleep. The average adult needs, roughly 8 hours of sleep to function at 100%. An occasional night or two of less than that isn’t bad. But as nights of poor-quality sleep add up, not only does brain fog set in but the risk of periodontal disease increases.
People who receive six or less hours of sleep per night have a higher chance of periodontal disease then those who get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Studies show that not getting enough sleep is the second cause of periodontal disease. According to Preston D. Miller Jr., DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology, “…there are lifestyle factors other than brushing and flossing that may affect oral health. Simple lifestyle changes, such as getting more sleep, may help patients improve or protect their oral health.”
Your body needs enough sleep to recharge and repair. Without it the entire human body would suffer, leaving the body open to inflammation and disease. This means that gums are left vulnerable to potential periodontal disease and can lead to tooth wear, and breakage.
If you are not getting a good night’s sleep, you may want to consider speaking to a medical professional about your options. If you are waking up with jaw pain, bleeding gums, or notice teeth grinding – give us a call!