Sleep is important. During sleep important bodily functions occur that help us grow and rejuvenate. Your body and mind needs a proper amount of sleep to function effectively the next day. You may think that teens should be able to function perfectly fine on less sleep, but teens need at least 9 hours of sleep a night to function at their best. In today’s sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, discusses teens and sleep.
Teens and Their Circadian Rhythm
All humans are equipped with an internal biological clock called the circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm influences hormonal changes, your appetite, your body temperature, and your sleep cycles. It takes a baby months to develop his/her biological clock, but once they do it regulates their sleep/wake cycle until puberty. During childhood the circadian rhythm makes children drowsy and ready for bed around 8 or 9 pm, but once the child hits puberty that changes. A teen’s internal clock does not make them feel tired until late in the evening around 11 pm. That’s why teens can stay up so late socializing, studying, or playing computer games. However, that’s also why teens find it difficult to wake early in the morning. They are not getting enough sleep. They need at least 9 hours a night.
Consequences
There are consequences when teens do not get the required amount of sleep, and according to studies 90 percent of them don’t. Ten percent get less than 6 hours a night. Lack of sleep can result in:
- Lack of concentration
- Forgetfulness
- Moodiness
- Aggressive or inappropriate behavior
- Illness
- Drowsy driving
To help prevent them from having an accident, to increase their effectiveness to learn, and to increase their overall quality of life, make sleep a priority for your teen.
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.
