Sleep is crucial for the day to day functioning of our bodies.

Too much caffeine from coffee or energy drinks, feeling too full after a big meal, or worrying too much can cause us to have a terrible night’s sleep. But did you know that your teeth may be the reason that you can’t fall sleep easily? Today, we’re taking a look at a few of the reasons why our teeth can really affect our ability to rest and our sleeping patterns.

 

 

Teeth Grinding

Grinding your teeth – sometimes known as Bruxism – causes the teeth to become worn and flat. There are many causes for bruxism including stress, anxiety, missing teeth or crooked teeth and even sleep apnoea. Patients who suffer from Bruxism will often clench their jaw during sleep and grind their teeth, causing the teeth to be flat at the top. While wearing a mouth guard during sleep can help limit the damage caused by Bruxism, it can feel uncomfortable and disrupt sleep.

Crowded Teeth

Not everyone suffers from crowded teeth. Crowded teeth isn’t necessarily a genetic problem either. Essentially, crowded teeth is an indicator that the jaw bone did not grow in correctly thus restricting correct growth. Braces may seem like the obvious choice for patients with crowded teeth. However, there may be a more serious underlying problem such as having a small airway. Small airways cause breathing interruptions during sleep. While we may not notice these interruptions during the night, they do occur and can leave us feeling extra tired the following day.

 

 

 

Toothache

A bit of an obvious one but an important one nonetheless. Toothache should not be ignored, especially if it is keeping you awake at night. While you can help to control the pain with over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen, it is a good idea to make an emergency appointment with your dentist. More often than not, toothache is a symptom of a much wider problem so it is crucial to get it checked out as soon as possible.

 

 

 

 

Not giving yourself enough time for a good rest

This one is pretty simple. Our body needs sleep to help us rest and recover on a daily basis. If you are not one to get enough sleep, chances are, your teeth are suffering. A sleep less than 7 hours long increases your chances of getting gum disease, to the same levels as a chain smoker. Lack of sleep also increases your inflammatory hormone levels which leads to bleeding, tender gums and shifting of teeth.

 

If you do find that your rest is being disrupted by your teeth, it is a good idea to speak to your dentist. If you need to find a dentist in your area, we can help you! On our website, we have thousands of dental practices listed and waiting to help you. All you have to do is search your location and take your pick. Read reviews from other patients, get to know the practice teams and choose that practice that suits you best. Finding your perfect dentist has never been easier.