Everybody should be aware of the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. Doctor recommendations suggest that people need to sleep for seven to eight hours every night because sleep is a vital part of keeping the human body healthy. When a person is sleep-deprived, there are many adverse side effects. A full night’s sleep can prevent many illnesses, balance the body’s production of hormones, and boost brain power. What many people are not aware of is the fact that sleep deprivation can impact one’s oral health as well.
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You’ve probably heard people joke that getting the full eight hours of sleep is considered “beauty rest.” This is not just a legend; sleep can improve aesthetics. It can rejuvenate your skin, preventing sagging and wrinkled skin. And sleep helps far more than just appearance. It can help brain function, heart health, and more.
Sleep deprivation, on the other hand, can wreak havoc on your body. Where your oral health is concerned, it can result in gum diseases that may lead to tooth loss. You significantly reduce your risk for gum disease by sleeping the required number of hours. Studies show that people who don’t get enough sleep are at almost the same risk for gum disease as people who smoke regularly. This is because sleep deprivation makes the body feel nervous. A sleep deprived body sends out signals that increase inflammation throughout the body – including the gums. These inflamed gums are more prone to disease, which can lead to tenderness, bleeding, shifting teeth, and eventually tooth loss.
Getting enough sleep is difficult for many people, especially those who work multiple jobs in order to keep food on the table. Others do not get enough sleep because of their dedication to their career. They may work beyond the regular hours to accomplish more and get ahead of the competition. Still others might have a hard time juggling the many time-consuming responsibilities that come with family, work, school, and other activities.
At first glance, it may seem like you’re able to get so much more done when you stay up late, but sacrificing sleep can lead to many other potential problems. Achieving your goals while getting less than seven hours of sleep might be working for you now, but if you keep it up, later in life you could develop health problems, including gum disease.
To get more sleep, try to create a routine for yourself, and do your best to stick with it. Schedule your day so that top priority tasks get done first. If it gets to be evening and you still have things on your list, put them on hold and tackle them after you have had your requisite seven to eight hours of sleep. Your future smile will thank you.
Beauty is the overall appearance of a person. By appearance, it does not mean only the physical one but also the emotional state because it transpires through different body parts especially the skin. When the person is stressed, his or her skin gets ugly. If you haven’t slept well for the last nights, expect that your oral will also be affected. This infographic will prove it.
![3 Ways Sleep Affects Your Oral Health [infographic]](https://www.feltfamilydentistry.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Sleep-Deprivation-Affects-Oral-Health.jpg "3 Ways Sleep Affects Your Oral Health [infographic]")