This spring, play it safe! From Drs. Faulkner and Spurlock

April is almost upon us, and for Drs. Faulkner and Spurlock, that only means one thing: it’s once again time to remind our dear patients to protect their faces and pearly whites. Nearly 60,000 people injure their faces annually while participating in sports activities, with children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events each year, according to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation.

And that is simply unacceptable.

By simply wearing a properly fitted mouth guard, these accidents could be prevented, along with other traumatic facial injuries, say Drs. Faulkner and Spurlock.

Here are five tips to save face while having fun this spring. We hope you remember them when you’re out on the ball field.

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our team at Advanced Dental Concepts. And, remember to stay safe and have fun!

March is National Nutrition Month! From Advanced Dental Concepts

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Drs. Faulkner and Spurlock, as well as thousands of dentists and hygienists across the nation, celebrate this occasion. This year is no different.

This March, our team at Advanced Dental Concepts want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health. Our staff knows small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods here in Pace and surrounding communities in Santa Rosa County.

• Make each and every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• Don't give in!: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please post them here or give us a call at (850) 304-0027! We'd love to hear from you!

Your turn! From Advanced Dental Concepts

Week after week, our team at Advanced Dental Concepts blog about important topics pertinent to dental care and your well-being. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients: what’s on your mind?

What would you like to know about the always-changing field of dentistry? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve been wanting to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

So… take it away and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

March restorative treatment specials at Advanced Dental Concepts!

For the month of March, Advanced Dental Concepts is offering you 10% OFF any restorative treatment. If you've been putting off your dental treatment, then this is a good time to schedule your visit! Call us today to schedule your appointment, and remember to tell us you want the 10% OFF SPECIAL. Call 994-8185 today and enjoy the rest of the week!

What are patients saying about Advanced Dental Concepts?

Advanced Dental Concepts, serving Pace and nearby communities in Santa Rosa County, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our patients are saying about our doctors and professional staff! Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our state-of-the-art office.

"I actually was in to see Dr. Spurlock because I was referred out for a root canal and extraction. What can't I say about Dr. Spurlock and his staff - wonderful, helpful, kind, pleasant environment. I am seriously thinking of switching." ~ Amy T.

"So far I feel comfortable with Dr. Spurlock...and assume I will in the future." ~ Sheila P.

Diabetes screening at Advanced Dental Concepts

The causes of diabetes are still a mystery, but researchers believe that the tendency for diabetes is present at birth. Currently, approximately 24 million Americans have diabetes.

Unfortunately, over 5 million people have Type 2 diabetes and do not know it. Another 57 million people have pre-diabetes. Pre-Diabetes means that your blood sugar falls between “normal” and “diabetic” levels, indicating an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Gum and skin infections, diagnosed at Advanced Dental Concepts, can be a symptom of Type 2 diabetes. We are now offering a simple blood sugar check that will tell you how high or low your sugar level is.

You must be 18 years of age or older to be screened. Research shows that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented and the major goal of treatment is to keep blood sugar levels in normal range. Here is more information about prediabetes, from Dr. Andrew Weil.

If you are concerned about diabetes and would like to fill out a consent form to be screened, please give us a call.