Youth is associated with numerous good qualities, including beauty, health, and energy. In order to stay young, many people do things like eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and take care of their skin. But did you know that the quality of your sleep may actually be one of the biggest factors that affects how quickly you age? Indeed, research indicates that sleep problems, such as sleep apnea, can actually contribute to epigenetic age acceleration. What does that mean, and what can you do about it? This blog post shares some fascinating information.
Sleep Apnea and Epigenetic Age Acceleration
There are at least two ways to describe your age. There is your chronological age, which is simply the amount of time that has passed since your birth. Your biological age is more complicated. It is a measure of how your body, cells, and DNA are functioning as compared to your chronological age. If your biological age exceeds your chronological age, you are experiencing an issue known as epigenetic age acceleration.
Numerous factors can contribute to epigenetic age acceleration, such as smoking, poor food quality, and environmental pollution. Sleep disordered breathing, including the pauses in breathing that occur during sleep apnea, can also play a role in increasing biological age. A 2019 study even found that the more severe a person’s breathing problems are, the greater their age acceleration. A 2022 study similarly showed a link between sleep apnea and age acceleration.
What Can You Do?
Fortunately, unlike chronological age, biological age can actually be reversed! In order for that to happen, it is important that you receive proper treatment for sleep apnea. For example, you might try using a custom oral appliance from a dentist. Such an appliance can gently reposition your oral structures at night in order to allow you to breathe without disruption.
With consistent use, you may find that treatment helps you to feel younger and healthier overall. It may even decrease your risk of serious health conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, and dementia!
Here are some additional steps that can support sleep quality and may contribute to a lower biological age:
- Avoid the use of cigarettes and chewing tobacco.
- Do not overconsume alcohol.
- Get an adequate amount of physical activity.
- Manage your stress.
- Create a comfortable bedroom environment that supports good sleep.
High-quality sleep may help you stay young! Pay attention to this aspect of your health so you can enjoy the best possible quality of life.
Meet the Practice
Our team at Glastonbury Dental Associates is passionate about supporting our patients’ long-term health and wellness, so we are proud to offer oral appliance therapy as one of our advanced services. If you have been struggling to feel well-rested lately, we would be happy to consult with you and advise you on your next steps. Contact our friendly team at 860-633-3671.