We are all aware of the negative health effects of sleep deprivation.
In addition to making us feel awful on a daily basis, a lack of sleep has been related to a wide range of chronic health issues, including as obesity, heart disease, renal disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and depression.
The effect that lack of sleep can have on our dental health is one component that is less well-known.
As it turns out, a restless sleep has more effects on the health of our teeth than you may think.
Here, cosmetic dentist Sundeep Patel, clinical lead at Waldron Dental, explains to Metro.co.uk all the damage sleep deprivation can do to your teeth.
Bluish gums
Insufficient sleep causes your body to create more inflammatory hormones, which increases your risk of developing gingivitis, which is characterized by irritated and swollen gums, according to Sundeep.
The consequence of this is periodontitis, sometimes known as gum disease.
Missing teeth
Similar to the above, Sundeep explains that if you don’t get enough sleep each night, you may be increasing your risk of gum disease.
The effects of this can be disastrous; if left untreated, they may result in teeth that are completely lost, are loose, or are wobbly.
Bad breath
Sundeep claims that a lack of sleep can cause halitosis, popularly known as bad breath.
“A healthy saliva flow in the oral cavities is vital to keep the teeth and mouth clean,” he claims. Lack of sleep might decrease saliva production.
If there is not enough saliva, “dry mouth can then happen, which increases the number of bacteria growing, which can produce bad breath.”
Grinding
According to Sundeep, “bruxism is the name for when a person grinds or clenches their teeth together while they are awake or while they are asleep.”
‘If you clench or grind your teeth frequently, this is frequently a sign that you are not getting enough sleep.
“Bruxism can cause a variety of dental problems, including worn-out enamel, damaged, chipped, or misaligned teeth, jaw abnormalities, increased sensitivity to cold, and chipped or broken teeth.”
Consult your dentist if you suspect you may be a bruxer because they might suggest using a night guard to guard your teeth.
However, Sundeep continues, “having a good quantity of sleep each night is the simplest approach to avoid bruxism from happening.”
Tooth decay
You might skip your regular oral hygiene routine as a result of waking up fatigued and sluggish after a night of subpar sleep, according to Sundeep, which might result in tooth decay.
Furthermore, your nutrition can be impaired, and you might be consuming items with a higher sugar content, he says.
‘If you don’t consistently brush, floss, and use mouthwash, this could cause decay in your teeth, especially if food particles are left in between your teeth and gums for an extended period of time.
Additionally, when we lack sleep, we may consume more coffee throughout the day; this may prevent you from getting a restful night’s sleep the following night.
Weakened immune system
Strong teeth and healthy gums are facilitated by an immune system that is capable of fending off diseases and infections.
When our immune system is weakened, it can negatively impact many different aspects of our health, including the teeth.
If you needed more motivation to obtain a decent night’s sleep, here is your cue to perfect your bedtime ritual and ensure you’re receiving the eight to nine hours per night that are suggested.
Your teethers will appreciate it.
