Sleep Issues

Most of us have had restless nights tossing and turning. From everyday stressors to health problems, there are many causes of insomnia. What many people don’t realize is that having poor dental health can impact your sleep. Investing in your oral health contributes to better sleep, leading to better wellbeing. Call Distinctive Dental Solutions today to learn about the connection between your dental health and sleep quality. 

Dental Health Problems That Cause Sleep Issues

Insomnia is a leading problem for Americans, in part to stressful lives and busy daily schedules that make it hard to unwind at the end of the day. We tend to underestimate the importance of sleep, since restorative sleep is necessary for proper memory, digestion and mood. There are many lifestyle factors and chronic health issues that contribute to difficulty sleeping, including poor dental health. 

If you’ve ever had a toothache, you’re well aware of how painful it can be. It’s common for the symptoms to disrupt sleep. Pain ranges from moderate to severe, and if it’s intense enough, it may keep you awake at night. Pressing your face into the pillow as a side sleeper can cause sharp pain or discomfort that causes you to toss and turn. Furthermore, other oral health conditions such as sleep apnea often affect the amount of rest you get. 

Many of the patients we see struggle with poor sleep due to the following: 

• Teeth Grinding. People of all ages, including children, can struggle with teeth grinding. There are a number of solutions available, particularly a custom mouthguard. 

• Dry Mouth. A dry mouth is incredibly uncomfortable. What’s more, it can leave you susceptible to certain oral infections due to reduced saliva. 

• Difficulty Breathing. If snoring keeps you awake, talk to our dentists right away. You might have sleep apnea, a common condition that causes loud snoring due to an obstructed airway. Individuals with this problem wake up often and fail to get deep sleep as a result. 

• Canker Sores. A canker sore is a small, painful bump that manifests on the side of your mouth. They’re often caused by stress and acidic foods, and tend to be very uncomfortable. In some cases, the discomfort can keep you awake. 

• TMJ. If you’ve noticed a sore jaw that pops, you may have TMJ, a condition that affects the jaw joint. When this region becomes painful and stiff, you may have trouble sleeping since the pressure of the pillow might exacerbate symptoms. 

Poor sleep is associated with full health impacts, including headaches, stress, cognitive decline, weight gain and more, so getting enough rest is essential. If you have an oral health problem, visit a dentist immediately to solve the problem at its core.  

Improve Sleep Quality By Visiting a Dentist

Since there are a number of reasons your dental health may make getting a good night’s rest hard, it’s important to visit a health specialist. Distinctive Dental Solutions offers state-of-the-art dental treatments for individuals facing various health issues. Call our team to begin.