Sleeping Fewer than Five Hours Increases Risk of Jaw Joint Disorder by 30 pct

(image: Korea Bizwire)

SEOUL, May 16 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent study has shown that a lack of sleep can exacerbate the risk of disorders in the temporomandibular joint located in the jaw.

A research team led by Prof. Shim Hye-young from the Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center analyzed the risk of a jaw joint disorder among 11,782 people based on their sleeping hours.

The results showed that 6 percent of the participants showed symptoms of a jaw joint disorder.

The research team divided them into three groups based on their sleeping hours, and compared the risk of a jaw joint disorder among them, with the results showing that those who slept fewer than five hours or more than nine hours were more at risk of developing a jaw joint disorder.

Sleeping fewer than five hours, in particular, increased the risk by as much as 30 percent compared to other groups.

“The study shows that sleeping hours are relevant to the cause of a jaw joint disorder,” said professor Shim.

“Too much, or too little sleep raises the risk of inflammation and other diseases. Maintaining regular sleeping hours, therefore, is crucial.”

The study was published in the March edition of the Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice.

H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)