You may think the older your children get the less sleep they need. This is a common misconception. When your teen sleeps until noon on weekend mornings and you’re thinking that your child is lazy, take solace in the fact that they are not. Teens require more sleep than you would think. Today your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, continues his discussion regarding how much sleep children need.
How Much Sleep Is Enough?
Seven to 12 years of age: The older children get, the later their bedtime. Within this age range, sleep times still vary, as do the required hours of sleep. For instance, 7 year olds may go to bed as early as 7:30 pm., while 12 year olds may go to bed as late as 10 pm. Depending upon the individual, a child in this age group may require anywhere from 9 to 12 hours of sleep a day, the average being about 9 hours
Twelve to 18 years of age: Although young and energetic, teens actually need more sleep than adults. The average adult should be getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep, whereas teens require at least 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep a day. If you’re wondering why your teen stays up late during the week, has a hard time waking on school mornings, and sleeps until noon on weekends, blame in on their internal biological clock which can easily be affected according to their often demanding schedules. Because of this, even teens can have sleep disorders.
About Dr. Stewart
James R. Stewart, Jr, DDS, PC and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. If you think you or a loved one is dealing with a sleep disorder, call our office today at (734) 425-4400, to schedule an appointment. At Dental sleep Medicine of Michigan, we are committed to forming trusting relationships with our patients so we can work together to achieve sound treatment and a future full of restful nights.
