With an ever-increasing amount of people reporting poor sleep quality due to the ongoing stress of the pandemic (COVID-somnia), or perhaps anxiety over the current news environment, it’s no wonder that supplements and prescription sleep aids are in high demand.

 According to Sleep Better Austin’s dental sleep expert Dr. Max Kerr, it is appropriate to take sleep supplements if you:

• have trouble falling asleep
• wake up multiple times during the night
• feel excessively sleepy during the day

Dr. Kerr notes that “natural sleep aids such as melatonin, magnesium and CBD may be a big help for some people and are considered generally safe in easing bouts of common insomnia if used as directed.”

 He stresses  that it is important to check with your regular doctor first before taking sleep supplements to ensure they will not interfere with any other medications or conditions you may have.

“I also always recommend to slowly and safely on-board any supplements one at a time,” says Dr. Kerr.  “It is important to judge the effectiveness and value of one compound prior to jumping to the next, and if the supplement is not getting you closer to your desired goal of better quality sleep, there may be an underlying disease or issue.”

 If sleep supplements and generally good sleep hygiene (sticking to a regular sleep schedule and creating a comfortable sleep environment) do not help with a restful night’s sleep, you may be suffering from a common disorder known as sleep apnea.

Characteristics of sleep apnea include heavy/loud snoring or sporadic, halted breathing at night which both prevent healthy, quality sleep.

Sleep apnea is typically first treated with a CPAP machine to help open up the airways and improve breathing at night. This is accomplished with oxygen flow delivered via a hose and fitted face mask.

There are however, alternatives to the CPAP machine if it is not effective or comfortable for you.

Oral appliance therapy is another highly effective option for opening the airways to encourage better breathing while you sleep. It involves a small dental appliance worn in the mouth at night to position the jaw in the most efficient and comfortable way possible.

To learn more about sleep apnea treatment, please contact us to schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our experts in dental sleep medicine.

The post What is the verdict on sleep supplements? first appeared on Refresh Dental.

For one thing, quality sleep helps boost your immunity which is paramount right now as Covid-19 cases continue to surge (and it’s also flu season on top of that).

Another plus is that healthy sleep could act as a catalyst for other popular New Year’s resolutions, such as losing weight and being more productive at work, says Sleep Better Austin’s dental sleep expert Dr. Brandon Hedgecock.

“Sleep affects two important hormones that factor into weight loss, leptin and ghrelin,” explains Dr. Hedgecock. “One tells your body when you are full (leptin) and the other when you are hungry (ghrelin). Too little or too much sleep can lead to a hormone imbalance and deter your weight loss goals.”

Additionally Dr. Hedgecock says that poor sleep can leave you lethargic and unmotivated to work out or eat well.

And if mental goals like trying to be more productive at work or staying better focused in school made your list, getting proper sleep can help with those too. Your brain needs to rest and recharge properly each night to function at its full capacity. If you are not getting enough healthy sleep (at least six to eight hours for adults), your cognitive skills could suffer.

Sleep Better Austin recommends these three tips to help you log a better night’s sleep:

1. Stick to a sleep schedule and a relaxing, wind-down routine each night
2. Make sure your room is comfortable, including proper bedding and room temperature, and free of electronics and blue light which can disrupt your circadian rhythm and sleep cycles.
3. Limit heavy foods, caffeine, and alcohol a few hours before bedtime.

If you have trouble getting a restful night’s sleep, or issues with snoring, you may have a common condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by loud, heavy snoring, as well as sporadically halted breathing at night due to obstructed airways.

A CPAP machine (used with a hose and fitted face mask) is typically first prescribed to help open up the airways and improve breathing at night. But for some people, these machines can often prove cumbersome and uncomfortable.

CPAP Machine Alternative:

The good news is that other options are available besides CPAP machines.  Oral appliance therapy involves a small dental appliance worn in the mouth at night. It positions the jaw in the most optimal way to encourage better airflow, improve breathing, and reduce harmful snoring that robs you of quality sleep.

To learn more about sleep apnea treatment and how it may be the key to keeping your New Year’s resolutions, please contact us to schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our experts in dental sleep medicine.

The post Why better sleep should be one of your New Year’s resolutions first appeared on Refresh Dental.

Everyone knows someone who snores so heavily at night that it disrupts others’ sleep, such as a partner or elderly family member.

But you still might be a snorer, even if no one hears you or has to constantly nudge you to pipe down. That’s the secret snorer. Snoring is when airflow or airways are obstructed during sleep, and it could be an indicator of a common condition known as sleep apnea or other serious underlying health issues.

“Snoring or sleep apnea could put you at risk for developing fatigue, high blood pressure, depression, diabetes and other heart issues,” says Sleep Better Austin’s sleep expert Dr. Brandon Hedgecock. “It is good to know if you are a frequent and heavy snorer, or perhaps a secret snorer, so that you can seek treatment, get a better night’s sleep, and reduce your chances for acquiring these associated health problems.”

How can you tell if you are a secret snorer?

Here are four signs that likely say yes:

1. You wake up with a dry, scratchy throat. You might be breathing through your mouth causing it to dry out when you sleep/snore if your nasal passages are obstructed.
2. Your jaw is sore. You may suffer from a disorder affecting your temporomandibular joint (sometimes referred to as TMJ or TMD) that upsets the alignment of your teeth and jaw which can lead to snoring.
3. You urinate frequently during the night. Breathing against a closed or obstructed airway puts stress on the heart causing it to produce a substance called atrial natriuretic peptide which is a diuretic that leads to frequent urination.
4. You are a smoker or drink heavily. Both relax and decrease muscle function preventing proper breathing and airflow.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you may be a secret snorer.

Some of these may be fixed by talking with your doctor about nighttime urination, looking into a dental device/guard to keep the jaw in place at night, and adopting a healthier lifestyle, like quitting smoking, limiting alcohol use and getting enough exercise.

If you continue to wake up with these symptoms and are not getting restful sleep, you could also have sleep apnea which is easily treated by Sleep Better Austin’s innovative Oral Appliance Therapy. Our comfortable and custom-fitted oral appliance consistently proves successful when other treatments, including CPAP machines, have failed.

To learn more about sleep apnea treatment, reducing your snoring, and getting a more healthful night’s sleep, please contact us to schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our experts in dental sleep medicine.

The post Four Signs that You Could Be a Secret Snorer first appeared on Refresh Dental.

“Healthy, quality, restful sleep has an abundance of mood-boosting benefits, including a stronger immune system,” says Sleep Better Austin’s expert, Dr. Brandon Hedgecock. “The fall daylight savings occurrence is generally a gentler one to adjust to because we gain an hour–or fall back–rather than lose an hour like in springtime. But it can still upset people’s circadian rhythm.”

The circadian rhythm is the body’s natural process for regulating sleep and wake cycles. It can be thrown off by differences in lightness and darkness outside, such as with the twice yearly time change.

As the clock strikes midnight on November 1, here are five tips to ensure a smooth transition and a good night’s sleep:

1. Keep a regular sleep schedule and go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even if the light outside suggests otherwise.
2. Create a cozy sleep environment in your bedroom. Make sure it is dark enough, that your pillows and mattress are comfortable, and that your bedroom temperature is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Skip the urge to hop online or scroll through anything right before bed. Limit electronics at least 30 minutes before you are ready to turn in as the blue light emitted from devices can disrupt the circadian rhythm.
4. Get plenty of fresh air and physical activity during the day which helps exhaust the body and makes it easier to fall asleep. With the slightly cooler weather, it is a great idea to get outdoors as much as possible!
5. Try something new for a relaxing wind-down routine. Maybe take a warm bubble bath, start a new book, or taste test some comforting, fall-flavored herbal teas (make sure they are caffeine-free) right before bed.

If you are still having sleep issues, despite the time change, and you are a heavy snorer, you may be suffering from a condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when airways are obstructed causing snoring, struggled breathing, and disrupted sleep patterns. It can be treated with CPAP machines or a fitted oral appliance worn at night to open up the airways known as Oral Appliance Therapy. This often proves effective when other treatments have failed.

To learn more about sleep apnea treatment and how it can improve your sleep quality, please contact us to schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our experts in dental sleep medicine.

The post Don’t Let Daylight Savings Derail Your Sleep first appeared on Refresh Dental.

Sleep loss may cause weight gain, and in turn, weight gain can also lead to sleep apnea—thus creating a vicious cycle between the two. It begs the question, which came first, the weight gain or the sleep issues and sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is when sound sleep is disrupted by heavy or halted breathing during the night due to obstructed or blocked airways.  It is often characterized by heaving snoring as well.

Excess weight carried around the abdomen or in the neck can put pressure on the airways leading up through the lungs and nasal passages making it very difficult to breathe when asleep and muscles are relaxed.

Poor sleep also adversely affects our hormones, causing two key ones that regulate appetite, ghrelin and leptin, to become unbalanced and additionally contribute to the tipping of scales.

“Roughly 60 to 90% of adults who experience sleep apnea are overweight,” says  Sleep Better Austin’s expert, Dr. Max Kerr.  “Even though evidence shows that weight loss can help improve the severity of sleep apnea, it is next to impossible to manage or lose weight for people that get poor sleep or suffer from it.”

While a healthy diet and regular exercise can go a long way in losing weight and restoring healthy sleep, extra measures are frequently needed.

For those patients, there are many sleep apnea treatments available, such as CPAP machines or a fitted oral appliance, to help open up the airways and ease breathing for a better night’s sleep.

Sleep Better Austin’s customized Oral Appliance Therapy often proves successful when other options have failed. To learn more about sleep apnea treatment and how it can significantly improve sleep quality and help contribute to a healthier weight, please contact us to schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our experts in dental sleep medicine.

The post We’re Weighing In On Sleep Apnea and Weight Gain first appeared on Refresh Dental.

What is a sleep divorce and why are they on the rise? 

Sleep divorce is when partners that normally sleep in the same bed choose to sleep in separate beds because of snoring. Sleep divorce is becoming more common as more people are suffering from snoring and sleep apnea.

What causes snoring? How is it related to sleep apnea?

Snoring can be due to a number of reasons including your mouth anatomy, chronic nasal conditions, sleep position, and sleep deprivation.  When you fall asleep, your muscles, including your jaw, relax and the tongue falls into the back of the throat. The airway narrows and causes vibration, which is when snoring occurs.

Almost all people that suffer from sleep apnea also snore.

What are some tips for getting a better night’s sleep to avoid a sleep divorce?

• Invest in a larger mattress or consider using completely separate blankets but on the same bed
• Look into a white noise machine or earplugs safe for sleeping to drown out snoring
• Work on better bedtime routines together so that both are winding down at the same time
• Turn off electronics an hour before bed and remove from room
• Make sure bedroom is dark and comfortable temperature
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime
• Stay active

Call Sleep Better Austin for a complimentary consultation to find out if oral appliance therapy sleep apnea treatment is right for you. Sleep Better Austin has 4 Austin-area locations including South Austin, Central Austin, Cedar Park and Georgetown. And we now offering zero down financing for oral appliance therapy. Learn more about our financing options here.

Watch Dr. Brandon Hedgecock on KXAN Studio 512.

The post KXAN Studio 512: Sleep Divorce and Oral Appliance Sleep Apnea Treatment first appeared on Refresh Dental.

While experts aren’t sure why, some research has shown an increased incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with sleep apnea because the disorder can affect your testosterone and oxygen levels.

And what better time to discuss ED and sleep apnea than now…because September is Sexual Health Month!

ED is when a man is unable to maintain an erection during intercourse. It’s estimated that about one in 10 adult males suffer from it on a long-term basis. ED can be caused by a number of things such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, certain antidepressants and other medications, or a hormonal imbalance, according to the American Urological Association.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that occurs when breathing becomes very shallow because the airways are obstructed. It may cause breathing to cease entirely for short periods of time while sleeping, or at the other end of the spectrum, it could cause very heavy snoring.

According to Sleep Better Austin’s sleep expert Dr. Brandon Hedgecock one factor that could link the two conditions is low levels of testosterone. “Men who suffer from sleep apnea tend to have low testosterone, which is also an essential hormone for healthy sexual activity.”

In addition to low testosterone, other contributors to sleep apnea include obesity, a larger neck or tonsils, an excessive overbite, certain medications such as muscle relaxers, and alcohol consumption.

Dr. Brandon Hedgecock says the encouraging news is that once a man successfully treats the sleep apnea, testosterone levels, as well as sexual health and performance, can typically return to normal on their own.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Sleep apnea is often treated first by implementing a healthy sleep hygiene routine. Here are some top tips to treat sleep apnea:

• Create a wind-down routine at night (take a warm bath, read or listen to relaxing music)
• Engage in moderate exercise or physical activity each day
• Limit caffeine and alcohol intake before bed

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

If changing your sleep habits does not improve your sleep apnea symptoms, a CPAP machine or fitted oral appliance may be best. Sleep Better Austin’s innovative Oral Appliance Therapy is one that has consistently proven successful when other treatments, including CPAP machines, have failed.

To learn more about sleep apnea treatment and how it can improve sleep quality, please contact us to schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our experts in dental sleep medicine.

The post Is there a link between sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction? first appeared on Refresh Dental.

Sleep divorce is the term coined for partners who may be loving and amicable throughout the day but have a hard time sharing a bed at night. Sleep “divorcees” are opting for another spot in the house to slumber or even looking to buy a second bed in order to garner some quality shuteye.

A recent survey conducted by Sleep Standards found that 59 percent of participants agree that a sleep divorce could help improve their relationship. Reasons that couples cited having trouble sleeping together at night included:

• Snoring (more than half the group at 53 percent)
• Different sleep schedules
• Constant tossing and turning
• Use of an electronic device in bed

Sleep Better Austin’s expert Dr. Brandon Hedgecock adds that the ongoing stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic are likely affecting how people sleep right now as well. “One person could be sneaking in naps during the day with extra time at home leading to tossing and turning at night, or perhaps their bedroom is doing double duty as a home office now which does not make for a very relaxing environment.”

In fact, the study shows that 25 percent of the group reported that quality sleep has been harder to achieve since the pandemic began.

Dr. Brandon Hedgecock suggests these solutions could help avoid sending couples towards a sleep divorce:

• Invest in a larger mattress or consider using completely separate blankets but on the same bed
• Look into a white noise machine or earplugs safe for sleeping to drown out snoring
• Work on better bedtime routines together so that both are winding down at the same time

If the problem preventing a restful night’s sleep together is snoring (as evidenced by more than half of those in the study), it may be a condition known as sleep apnea.

In addition to heavy snoring, sleep apnea is also characterized by irregular breathing — that starts and stops — throughout the night. Sleep apnea, if left untreated, can also lead to other serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. The good news is that there are several effective treatments available for it to reduce the heavy snoring often disrupting a partner’s sleep. Oral Appliance Therapy is one that we offer which has proven successful when other CPAP therapies have failed.

To learn more about sleep apnea treatments and the positive effects they can have on your overall well-being (and your partner’s), contact us to schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our experts in dental sleep medicine.

The post Are you and your partner headed for a Sleep Divorce? first appeared on Refresh Dental.

In order to make sure that OAT can work for you, we recommend getting a sleep study done by a specialist to see if you have obstructive sleep apnea. We do not perform these sleep studies ourselves, but we accept referrals from doctors who do, and we work closely with them in regards to our patients.

We can provide an oral appliance that is custom-made to treat your particular situation and fit in your mouth comfortably. You wear the appliance every night while you sleep. It may take a bit of time to get used to the appliance, but you should feel comfortable wearing it by then, and it should not prevent you from sleeping. If not, we can make any needed adjustments.

The appliances should keep the soft tissues like your tongue from collapsing and closing up your airway, which are the causes of apneic events. As such, you should be able to sleep and breathe easy again. After getting your needed sleep, you can be more alert and active during the day.

We cannot guarantee that OAT will work for everyone. We will be sure to tell you if this is the case, and we will try to guide you to other treatments that may be more helpful for you. If the sleep study determines that OAT is a viable option, you are welcome to call Refresh Dental in Bentonville, Arkansas, by dialing 479-339-0081. Our sleep dentist. Drs. Hedgecock and Kerr, are happy to help you get the nice, peaceful rest you have been needing!

The post What Can Be Expected From Oral Appliance Therapy first appeared on Refresh Dental.

What can happen is that increased weight in the neck and trunk (basically the chest and belly) which makes breathing at night more difficult by causing the airways to close off. In order to get the air it needs, your body may wake you up numerous times, leaving you drowsy during the day. This is sleep apnea in a nutshell.

If this is the case for you, losing weight may help you with sleep apnea. By dealing with the cause, you can reduce your risk of sleep apnea. Changing up your diet with healthy and portioned foods will benefit you greatly with this problem but your overall health as well. It may also help to not eat late in the day, as this may entice you to eat more than you should.

If you are losing weight but still struggle with sleep apnea, other factors may be at play. Another option you may try is oral appliance therapy. We provide oral appliances that help keep airways open at night here at Refresh Dental in Bentonville, Arkansas. Our sleep dentists, Drs. Kerr and Hedgecock, are happy to help you get the sleep you need. You can call 479-339-0081 for more information to get the help you need today!

The post Can Diet Affect Sleep Apnea? first appeared on Refresh Dental.