Sleep and your oral health
How to maintain healthy sleep during winter
As winter rolls around, shorter days and longer nights can disrupt your natural sleep patterns, making it harder to maintain a healthy sleep routine. In this article, we will explore some simple strategies to help you stay wellrested throughout the season.
Sleep plays a significant role in maintaining good oral health. When you do not get enough rest, it can be hard for your body to keep up with life’s everyday demands. Forgetfulness due to fatigue can lead to neglecting oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing. Exhaustion-related stress can also contribute to oral health issues like teeth grinding.
How much sleep do you need?
Adults 18 and older need at least seven hours of sleep per night. Children under the age of 18 need more than eight hours of sleep per night.
5 tips for maintaining healthy sleep:
1. Have a consistent sleep schedule
Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day — even on weekends — helps regulate your body’s internal clock. This consistency makes falling asleep and waking up naturally easier.
2. Keep your bedroom cool
Lowering the room temperature can enhance your sleep quality because it aligns with your body’s natural dip in core temperature while sleeping.
3. Exercise regularly
Doing at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise promoted restful sleep, helps you fall asleep faster, and alleviates daytime sleepiness.
4. Spend some time outside
Natural light helps regulate your sleep cycle, so do your best to spend time outside during daylight hours. If sunlight is scarce, consider using a light therapy box to simulate its effects.
5. Avoid long naps
Napping too long or too late in the day can influence your night’s sleep. To avoid your sleep schedule being disrupted, try to limit your naps to a half hour and only nap in the early afternoon.
By following these tips, you can maintain a healthy sleep schedule throughout the winter.
