Dr. Elizabeth S. Morris of the Family Dental Care Center in Oxon Hill, MD provides the latest treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Oxon Hill, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/06/2015 -- Dr. Elizabeth S. Morris of the Family Dental Care Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland is pleased to now provide the latest treatments available for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and snoring that can indicate and even cause more severe problems in a person's overall health over time if left untreated. OSA occurs when a person's soft tissue in the mouth and throat repeatedly collapse during sleep, blocking the passages necessary for regular respiration. These collapses result in cessation of breathing, which last normally between 10 and 30 seconds, but can endure for one minute or longer, possibly occurring hundreds of times over the course of one night. This leads to dangerous reductions in blood oxygen levels that feed the brain and body and allow for normal, healthy systemic functions. These dramatic interruptions results in excessive daytime sleepiness for many who may not even realize they suffer from OSA.

Many adults are informed of their OSA by their partners who notice loud snoring and the choking, gasping sounds of airflow blockage. Dr. Morris and her team at the Oxon Hill Family Dental Care Center are using new techniques and tools to help OSA sufferers reduce the interruptions and dangerous oxygen starvation caused by this disorder. New methods are available for the treatment of OSA, such as Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). OAT involves a custom-made oral appliance crafted with the doctor's specific instructions that can reposition the tongue and lower jaw, moving them forward and allowing the soft tissues to remain open during sleep. OAT is best for mild to moderate OSA sufferers.

The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) appliance has long been a standard treatment therapy for OSA, but some may not be able to tolerate CPAP, which is an automated oxygen delivery mask and pump worn on the face and head during sleep. Other treatments have proven effective against OSA, such as lifestyle adjustments like eliminating alcohol, caffeine and smoking, as well as weight loss, though these may not succeed for everyone. Oral appliances are effective in these cases and are recommended for the more severe OSA patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. Dr. Morris can custom fit FDA-approved oral appliances for the OSA patients after a full consultation in which OSA treatment compatibility is assessed.

About Family Dental Care Center
Dr. Elizabeth S. Morris and the Family Dental Care Center team have been serving the community of Oxon Hill since 1987. To learn more about OSA treatments at the Family Dental Care Center that can help reduce the risk of excessive daytime sleepiness, driving and work-related accidents, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, depression and more, visit them online at http://www.elizabethsmorrisdental.com

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Maryland family dental care provider discusses basic symptoms and care for those suffering from dry mouth disorder

Oxon Hill, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/19/2014 -- Family Dental Care Center of Oxon Hill, Maryland has provided a breakdown of basic signs and symptoms of Dry Mouth, or xerostomia (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah), clearing the way for sufferers to identify the causes and effects of the disorder and how to address its treatment. Dry mouth, on the surface, is just that - the chronic feeling that the mouth isn't producing enough saliva. The person with dry mouth will feel a parched sensation in the mouth, on the tongue and across the hard and soft palette sections of the mouth and throat. Many people can experience dry mouth occasions, whether caused by stress, dehydration or nervous response. These occasions can be addressed easily and directly by hydrating the mouth and body properly. However, some people suffer from this type of dryness constantly. When this is the case, dry mouth is indicative of a range of more severe complications, diseases and conditions.

Dry mouth can lead to a host of more complex problems if not treated properly, including difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking, and can increase the likelihood of developing dental decay and other oral infections, and the development of distracting halitosis symptoms. Dry mouth can result from the taking of medications or as a side effect of medical treatments, and is considered to be an abnormal symptom of the aging process. Chronic dry mouth is a disorder that requires the attention of a dentist or physician and people with the following symptoms should seek consultation:

- A sticky, dry sensation throughout the mouth
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking
- A persistent burning feeling over the mouth, tongue and throat
- Dry, cracked or chapped lips
- The surface of the tongue feels dry or rough
- Oral sores
- Oral infection

Natural saliva production is important to the body's overall wellness in a variety of ways. Saliva helps digest food, beginning the process as food enters the mouth. It also helps protects teeth from decay and prevents infection by regulating oral bacterial growth and aiding in cell rejuvenation. Saliva also enables the mastication and swallowing of food. The lack of healthy levels of saliva can lead to tooth decay and oral infections, as well as the decrease in nutrients needed for normal overall health. People with conditions or disorders like Alzheimer's disease or who have suffered a stroke could be incapable of detecting oral wetness, which leads to some cases of personal misdiagnosis. Dry mouth is caused by a malfunction in oral salivary glands, sometimes caused by medicinal side effects, some diseases like Sjoegren's Syndrome, HIV and AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and nerve damage caused by injury. To learn more about the symptoms, treatments and lifestyle solutions for dry mouth, visit Family Dental Care Center online at http://www.elizabethsmorrisdental.com

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