This is something you might not have thought of: Dental health can affect your sleep quality. While your dental health might not be something you immediately think about when it comes to deep, restorative sleep, it is definitely worth thinking about. This article will explain the connection between sleep and dental health. You can also get some helpful tips and information from dentists to help you sleep better.
Although I won’t have the right advice or tips for everyone, I do hope that you will find some helpful information to improve your sleep. Please remember that Sleepopolis is not a medical expert and you should always consult your doctor before giving any medical advice.
The Relationship Between Dental Health And Sleep
Bad dental health can make it difficult for you to sleep. Dr. Mona Stone from Stone Surgical Arts says that people with poor dental health often suffer terrible sleep. This is confirmed by a Japanese study in Health. Researchers from the study examined 51 people over 55 years old and found a direct correlation between poor sleep quality and poor oral health.
Your dental health can have an impact on your sleep quality and your ability to get good sleep. In 2016, a study published in Clinical Oral Investigations found that people with sleep disorders had a higher risk of developing gingival (gum inflammation) problems. Max Harland, of Dentaly, agrees. Non-restorative sleeping can cause gum inflammation, which could lead to the release of inflammatory hormones.
We will be discussing other dental conditions in the future, but let’s first discuss what happens to our mouths when we are asleep.
What Happens To Our Mouths When We Sleep?
According to a 2002 study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews, saliva production slows down during sleep. It was also noted that sleep talking, jaw movements, swallowing and swallowing can all occur. Is that all there is?
For more information, Dr. Chris Lewandowski from Princess Center Dentistry spoke to me.
He said that you are unlikely to be swallowing as many calories while sleeping. This is when bacteria can build up. This can lead to bad morning breath. This can be made worse if you don’t brush your teeth before going to bed.
Dental Health Issues
Let me be clear: Sleep problems can result from dental disorders. We’ve discussed gum inflammation. Let’s now discuss three other common dental conditions: sleep bruxism and jaw pain.
Sleep Bruxism
Multiple dental professionals were able to help me understand the reasons why sleep disorders can affect your sleep. Some of them mentioned sleep bruxism, which is a disorder that can negatively impact sleep. When a person grinds or clenches their teeth while they sleep, this is called sleep bruxism (SB). What causes this? High stress is often the cause of SB according to Dr. Kian Singh, Portland Dental co-founder and Tooth Fairy App founder.
Authority Dental’s Dr. Henry Hackney explained to me how SB can cause enamel damage over time. This can lead to tooth sensitivity and disrupt your sleep. According to Dr. Joseph Salim, Sutton Place Dental Associates, SB can lead to you waking up frequently throughout the night.
A 2013 study in Oral Diseases found that people suffering from SB had a 2/3 higher rate of obstructive sleeping apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops repeatedly, which can be detrimental to your sleep.
How can you avoid the negative effects of SB? Dr. Salim suggests that you speak with your dentist to create a nightguard to protect your teeth and prevent grinding.
Dr. Stone says that in addition to a nightguard, SB can also be treated with behavioral therapy, stress management and physical therapy. In severe cases, he even recommends muscle relaxants.
Jaw Pain
Dr. Lewandowski explained to me that jaw pain can also disrupt sleep. Jaw pain is different from SB. Jaw pain can be caused by SB, but it may also be due to infection. Dr. Hackneye says that jaw pain can be caused by infection. This can cause more discomfort and make it difficult to sleep.
Cavities
After further discussions with Dr. Hackneye he revealed that cavities can also disrupt your sleep as the resulting pain can make getting some shuteye difficult. Dr. Salim, Dr. Lewandowski and Dr. David B. confirmed this assertion. Fox of Fox Dentistry. If you have been trying to prevent cavities, then you are doing the right thing.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is not a condition that causes tooth decay, but it can affect dental health. Dr. Salim says acid reflux can lead to acid from the stomach entering the mouth at night. Tooth decay and/or sensitiveness can be caused by the acids’ eroding effects.
He recommends that acid reflux sufferers use over-the-counter anti-reflux medications before they go to bed. He recommends avoiding acidic foods prior to bedtime.
Next, I talked to a few doctors to learn how to improve your sleep if you have one of these disorders.
For Better Sleep, Try These Dental Recommendations
Some General Tips For Good Dental Hygiene
Let’s begin with the most common tips. These include flossing every day, visiting the dentist frequently, considering what you drink and quitting smoking. We will discuss some recommendations for people who just had dental work a little later.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Sleep apnea can be reduced by brushing your teeth every day. Researchers concluded that those who don’t brush their teeth every day were more likely to suffer from sleep apnea in a Turkish study published in World Biomedical Frontiers. The study included 165 patients.
Dr. Salim suggests that you use prescription toothpaste before going to bed to reduce tooth sensitivity and prevent cavities from forming. For good dental health, he recommends flossing before you go to bed.
A 2017 study by Clujul Medical found that flossing can help improve your sleep. Researchers examined 230 students in dentistry. Researchers found that participants who flossed every day had better sleep quality and more energy than those who didn’t floss enough.
Regular visits to your dentist are recommended.
It may be time for a second visit if it has been awhile since your last dental appointment. Dr. Fox believes that routine visits to the dentist are essential for your dental health. This is because it can detect early signs and symptoms and can help you get treatment. Dr.
Lewandowski agrees as well, stating that regular cleanings and checks can prevent problems that could make it difficult to sleep.
Be careful what you drink
Wine in the evening may sound great, but it can be detrimental to your sleep. I spoke with Dr. Diana Wu from Issaquah Premier Dental. She advised me to avoid alcohol before bed as it relaxes the throat muscles which can lead to snoring, and breathing difficulties. A 2004 study in Public Health Nutrition suggests that you can decrease the risk of tooth erosion by limiting your intake of juice and soft drinks.
Do not smoke.
Another tip Dr. Wu gave was simple: Stop smoking. This advice is supported by a 2001 study published in the American Journal of Public Health. The researchers highlighted the link between oral health risks, regular tobacco use, and the fact that people who smoke are 1.6x more likely to develop a dental problem than those who don’t smoke.
Recommendations For Dental Surgery And Sleep Recommendations
Let’s now discuss some tips for people who just had dental work. Dr. Salim suggests that you take mild painkillers for the first few nights if your surgery was very extensive. According to Dr. Salim, taking just one Tylenol or Advil can greatly help with pain management.
Dr. Salim advises that you should follow-up with your dentist about your post-surgical instructions to help prevent infections. Dr. Wu says that you can also prevent infection by washing your mouth with salt water at least twice daily.
It is important to avoid alcohol after dental surgery. Dr. Hackneye recommends that you avoid alcohol for 72 hours following surgery. He says it can interfere with the healing process and affect your sleep quality, which is critical for recovery.
I reached out to experts to get their recommendations. Dr. Lewandowski suggests eating pineapple after surgery to reduce inflammation. Dr. Stone recommends protein shakes, as they are less likely to cause damage to the area where the surgery was performed.
Post-surgery recovery can be made easier by sleeping on the correct mattress. Dr. Lewandowski and Dr. Wu recommend that you keep your head up when lying on your mattress to aid in healing and decrease pain. A firm mattress will ensure that your head stays elevated. A firmer mattress will absorb more pressure and reduce stress on your bones, muscles, veins, arteries, and joints. The circulation is also improved and muscles are less stressed.
Last Word From Sleepopolis
This concludes our list of recommendations to help you sleep better despite dental problems and dental surgery. We are not medical professionals so you should direct any sleep-related medical concerns to your doctor.
