According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third of Americans adults don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis. The CDC recommends at least seven hours of more per night for optimal health. Unfortunately, it’s no secret that many of us don’t get anywhere near the recommended amount of sleep.
Lack of sleep isn’t just associated with being tired, less productive, and cranky. Many studies have found that not getting sufficient sleep can also lead to increased risk of developing chronic conditions. This can range from problems such as obesity and high blood pressure to mental health problems. These overall health conditions will end up having an effect on your quality of life and surprisingly, your oral health as well. Your health is closely intertwined, which means your overall wellness can have a significant impact on other areas of health, including dental health. To explain more on this subject, dental implant provider, Dr. Field shares the importance of sleep and how sleep habits can affect oral health for patients here in Los Altos, CA.
The Importance of Sleep
Americans just aren’t getting sufficient sleep and it’s affecting their health all-around. So, why is sleep so important? Well, think of sleep as the essential time for your body to recoup from the day. Without it, you’re basically running your body ragged. Recovering from the day can mean healing damaged cells, boosting your immune system, and recharging your cardiovascular system. Some of the other problems associated with sleep deprivation include:
Weight Gain: Lack of sleep is one of the strongest risk factors linked to obesity. This is closely associated with factors like hormones and energy/motivation to exercise.
Heart Disease and Stroke: There are more than 15 studies that prove the relationship between shorter sleep times and increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers believe that this is also connected to inflammation of the body.
Immune Function: Lack of sleep can result in poor immune function. A study found that individuals who slept less than 7 hours were three times more likely to develop a cold than individuals who slept for 8 hours or more.
What About Oral Health?
Now that we understand how sleep affects our overall health, let’s consider how this will then end up affecting the health of our teeth and gums. Lack of sleep can result in overall inflammation of the body and diminished immune function. This is particularly important because you’ll be less able to fight off gum infections. The gums will then become inflamed and gum disease will develop if the problem isn’t addressed.
There are also many sleep habits that can affect the health of your smile as well. Some of these habits include:
- Grinding or clenching your teeth
- Sleep Eating
- Sleeping with your mouth open
Contact our Office in Los Altos
As you can see, sleep is important for a number of reasons! Have you been losing sleep over the look of your smile? Rest easy knowing that we offer restorative treatment to give you back a beautiful, complete smile. Here at Peninsula Center of Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer dental implant treatment to give you a natural-looking smile that will last for years to come with the proper care. To get started on your implant treatment, contact our office today to schedule your no-obligation consultation with Dr. Field.
