What You Should Know About Sleep and Your Teeth

You might know that exercising is important if you’re hoping to stay healthy and strong. For instance, you’ve probably heard that you should also be following a balanced diet. You may also know that you should try to get plenty of sleep every night—but did you know that getting enough sleep is also important to your oral health?

You see, not getting enough sleep can actually leave you vulnerable to chronic issues such as heart disease. Sadly, if you get six or fewer hours of sleep, you may actually be more vulnerable to gum disease. In fact, you’ll be about as vulnerable as someone who smokes because your body will have an inflammatory response to insufficient sleep. If left unaddressed, gum disease can cause bad breath, shifting teeth, and tooth loss. Generally, we suggest getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night.

To learn more about the importance of getting enough sleep, or to learn more about preventing gum disease in Louisa, Virginia, please don’t hesitate to give John J. Andre, DDS & Associates a call at (540) 967-0777. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and to help you address any of your dental issues. Dr. John J. Andre and our team look forward to hearing from you soon!