Don’t Let Holiday Stress Disrupt Your Sleep

Although the holidays are a time for joy, they can also cause a great deal of stress. Between shopping, decorating and hosting parties, you may find that sleep has moved to the bottom of your priority list.

You may tell yourself that you will have time to catch up on sleep in the new year, but you may not realize the harm you can do by skimping on sleep.

Dentist and UCSF professor of restorative dentistry Steven Goldman told the San Jose Mercury News that when people are under stress and not sleeping well they are at higher risk for developing bruxism, or night-time teeth grinding.

Bruxism is not always serious. However, severe bruxism can lead to tooth damage, muscle pain and headaches. You can use an oral appliance to protect your teeth while you sleep if you frequently grind your teeth.

Planning holiday activities in advance can help alleviate your stress. Knowing your limits can also prevent you from over scheduling and cutting into your sleep time.

Holidays are a time for enjoying family and friends, but it is also important during this time to manage your stress and health. To make this an enjoyable and healthy season, make sure to leave time for a good night’s sleep.

Sleep experts recommend that adults sleep between seven and eight hours each night. Learn more about healthy sleep habits.

Image by Andreas Nilsson

Getting Help for Sleep Problems – from a Dentist?

CBS 2 News in Chicago reports that a growing number of dentists are practicing “dental sleep medicine.” What does dentistry have to do with sleep?

The most obvious connection between your teeth and your sleep is bruxism. This occurs when you grind or clench your teeth during sleep.

Bruxism can damage your teeth and cause jaw discomfort or pain. It also can briefly disturb your sleep – and wake up your bed partner.

A dental sleep medicine specialist can fit you with a mouth guard that you wear during sleep. This will protect your teeth and reduce the grinding noise.

But dental sleep medicine specialists aren’t just bruxism experts. They also may be able to help you with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. These problems involve a partial or complete blockage of your airway.

A dentist who practices dental sleep medicine can fit you with an oral appliance to wear during sleep. This is similar to an orthodontic retainer. It keeps your airway open by holding your tongue or slightly moving your lower jaw forward.

The AASM approves oral appliance therapy as a treatment for snoring. It also recommends that an oral appliance may be an effective treatment option for mild or moderate sleep apnea.

Treatment with CPAP therapy is the best option for severe sleep apnea. A board-certified sleep specialist at an AASM-accredited sleep center can help you determine which treatment option is best for you.

The sleep center will refer you to a specialist in dental sleep medicine for help with oral appliance therapy.