SLEEP AND DENTAL HEALTH

 We all can agree that a good night's sleep makes a world of a difference  how we function the following day. A good night rest gives our body a chance to repair , replenish and restore all of our vital functions including circulation , respiration and immune system.  It also plays a major role in our oral health by fighting off infections and fortifying your teeth. 

But what happens when you

don't get enough sleep? Or perhaps you suffer from sleep apnea?

Sleep causes a huge impact on our oral health which can be positive but it 's mainly negative. Of course here we'll be looking the positive and somewhat the negative side of the same.

From the good , the bad , and the ugly here's what you need to know your sleep and oral health.

 1.  A good night's sleep fights infections: how this happens actually, getting a good night sleep helps recharge the immune system by increasing the production of cytokines, a powerful protein our bodies need to battle off infections and inflammation. Because our mouth is filled with bacteria , the immune system needs to know how to fight off any infections that could take hold , which include gum disease , tooth infections and tooth decay. Sleep is crucial in keeping your immune system strong and maintaining good oral health. 

2. A good night's sleep strengthens your enamel: Sleeping helps your cardiovascular system and blood vessels from any damage sustained throughout the day and allowing for essential nutrients , such as calcium and phosphate to be transported successfully to bone tissue of your teeth. This helps to repair ,  replenish and strengthen your tooth's enamel which is subjected to plaque and cavities over time.

One study , in particular , by the Osaka University Graduate school of Medicine investigated how certain lifestyle factors (sleep, diet, exercise, stress levels) may be risk factors for periodontics in 200 workers. They found that the workers got 7-8 hours to sleep every night, had less risk of periodontitis.

3.Less sleep, Higher level of inflammation: Lack of sleep can lead to periodontitis because of the increase level of inflammation in your gums. According to researchers at the Emory University School of Medicine, the body produces more inflammatory hormones when it is running on empty and this inflammation can lead first to gingivitis and then periodontitis. High level of inflammation can also increase your risk for stroke, heart disease, obesity and even Alzheimer's disease .

A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK: QUALITY OF SLEEP REALLY MATTERS . FOR THE BEST PROTECTION OF YOUR TEETH AND GUMS YOU NEED 7-8 HRS OF SOLID SLEEP.

TIPS:-

1.Make sleep a priority.

2.Set a sleep routine that is doable with your schedule.Once you follow your new routine for a while  your body will start to know when it's time to relax and get some ZZZ's.

If you think you suffer from sleep apnea, don't wait any longer to undergo a sleep study to see if you need to sleep with a CPAP machine.

There's no doubt that sound sleep will surely reduce some dental problems like bad breath , mouth ulcers and progression of gums issues. However, we must know that bruxism (grinding of teeth), mouth breathing, TMJ(temporomandibular joint) problems are also associated with sleep disorders.

 

 

FOR MORE USEFUL INFORMATION YOU GUYS CAN VISIT NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WEBSITES  AND BLOGS SUCH AS:

www.brushdj.com

www.dentalbuzzz.com

www.dentalgeek.com

www.thedentalwarrior.com[The dental warrior , it's an informative page run by a life long dentist named MIKE. This site is for those who want to gain insight in the life of Mike who has practised since 1988.

SO, Wrapping up....i would like to say that being a dental student, life gets too busy and hard to stay updated with current and variety of information or news. So with help of above mentioned websites , hope you guys can find the information you are looking for......and not only these but there are many more and different sites and blogs that you can visit and read.  

BE SAFE AND MAINTAIN YOUR ORAL HEALTH.