Lack of sleep could lead to tooth loss

A lack of sleep could lead to tooth loss, a dental expert warned.

We all have evenings where sleep is difficult or interrupted. Over time, this harms our mental and physical health, and may require help from a medical professional before sleep problems harms your body. The NHS said: "Sleep problems usually sort themselves out within about a month. But longer stretches of bad sleep can start to affect our lives. It can cause extreme tiredness and make usually manageable tasks harder."

A lack of sleep can also be "dangerous" for your mouth by causing tooth grinding, bad breath and bleeding gums and expert has warned. As clocks go back this Sunday, October 30, Dr Khaled Kasem, chief orthodontist at Impress, a leading European orthodontics chain, revealed just how important the extra hour of sleep can be by sharing the common dental problems caused by sleep deprivation.

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Struggling to get eight hours of sleep each night may make you tired, but it could see you dealing with tooth decay and tooth loss down the line.

Inflammation of the gums

Inflammation of the gums, also known as gingivitis, is one of the most common dental issues caused by sleep deprivation. This is because a lack of sleep causes the body to produce additional inflammatory hormones.

Dr Kasem said: "The first sign of gum inflammation is bleeding gums. It's at this point you must act and seek advice from a medical professional, as gingivitis can lead to more serious dental problems such as periodontitis, the development of pockets between your gums and teeth, and eventually tooth loss."

Teeth grinding (Bruxism)

Clenching or grinding your teeth may most typically be the result of stress and anxiety, but it's also common among people suffering from sleep deprivation. Dr Kasem said: "Mild cases might not require treatment, but those who frequently clench and apply too much stress to their teeth could develop severe jaw disorders, headaches and migraines, flattened/fractured teeth, increased tooth sensitivity and even tooth loss!"

Weakened immune system

Lack of sleep could make your mouth vulnerable to infections by weakening the immune system. Dr Kasem said: "The primary function of our immune system is to help defend the body against infections, and it is vital in maintaining the overall health of the body. Not only that, but a strong immune system contributes to healthy teeth and gums, and a lack of sleep will weaken the immune system and its ability to protect the mouth against common infections."

Bad breath (halitosis)

Who hasn't worried about breath? Getting enough sleep each night could reduce the need for concern. Dr Kasem said: "A lack of sleep reduces the production of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is required to keep our mouths clean by reducing the amount of bacteria, but if this is in limited supply and our mouths become dry, the bacteria will build and our breaths will smell."

To achieve better sleep, the NHS advised people to:

• Keep regular sleep hours by making a habit of going to bed when you feel tired, getting up at roughly the same time, and trying to avoid napping where possible.
• Confront sleeplessness by not forcing it when you're lying awake unable to sleep - instead, get up and do something relaxing before returning to bed when you feel sleepier
• Create a restful environment such as dark, quiet and cool ones, which generally make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep
• Write down your worries as part of your daily routine before bed if you often lie awake worrying about tomorrow. That way you can return to it the next day, helping to put your mind at ease
• Move more, sleep better, because regular exercise is good for both your physical health and your mind - just remember to avoid vigorous activity just before bedtime if it affects your sleep
• Put down the pick-me-ups like caffeine and alcohol, which can stop you falling asleep and prevent deep sleep

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