Dr. Spurlock wants to know: Do you suffer from sleep disorders?

Do you consistently feel like you're not getting enough sleep? If the answer is yes, you may have sleep apnea, also known as obstructive sleep apnea, which is a disorder that causes interruptions of normal breathing during sleep and one that affects roughly 80 million Americans.

Sleep apnea can occur at any age, and "has been linked to an increased risk of fragmented sleep and restlessness, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke." Even mild sleep apnea, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, "can cause associated sleep disturbances, leading to depression, irritability, sexual problems and impaired learning and memory."

There are several different approaches to sleep apnea treatment, including:

• Surgery to the jaws or airway tissue to open the airway. This is typically only used in the most severe cases.

• Continuous airway pressure therapy which involves a mask and machine (CPAP machine) to keep your throat muscles and tissue open while sleeping

• Oral appliance therapy, a less intrusive method involving a customized oral device that positions your jaw in a favorable position to keep your airway open while you sleep.

If you suspect that you may suffer from a sleep disorder or sleep apnea, our staff at Advanced Dental Concepts encourage you to give us a call at (850) 304-0027.

More happy smiles at Advanced Dental Concepts!

At Advanced Dental Concepts, we are committed to providing optimum care for all our patients in a compassionate manner. Your health and comfort are foremost in our minds. Check out what our current patients have to say about Drs. Faulkner and Spurlock and our office! Happy Wednesday!

"Great location, nice office, friendly staff, great doctor." ~ Skylar M.

"The office staff was very friendly, the office itself was very nice and clean. My son said he really liked the dentist, said the hygienist and dentist were much more gentle than his previous dentist." ~ Ryan F.

"I have suffered from a fear of dental work for years. Advanced Dental Concepts is so wonderful that not only do I no longer have any fear...I actually enjoy my visits. The staff is the friendliest and most caring that I have ever encountered. Their work is superb! Do not hesitate to make an appointment with Advanced Dental Concepts!!!‎" ~ Stephen

ADC at the Annual Pace Chamber Family Festival!

This past Saturday, our staff at Advanced Dental Concepts participated in the Annual Pace Chamber Family Festival. Rusty Whitfield kept us entertained, there was a grill-out, and lots of local vendors. We gave away coloring books & balloons for the kids and listerine strips for the adults. We had a "face painting" booth, painted balloons, tigers, giraffes, footballs, flowers, bunny rabbits and butterflies on a lot of happy faces! We had a great time and really enjoyed being a part of this family event.

Check out the rest of our photos on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/AdvancedDentalConcepts.

Dr. Noel Spurlock, reminding you September is National Gum Care Month!

At Advanced Dental Concepts, we know that gingivitis, which is the early stage of periodontal disease, can be difficult to recognize if you're not a trained dentist. Many people don't recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. This month, a national campaign is under way to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word!

Drs. Faulkner and Spurlock will tell you early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body, too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as your heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease.

Our staff at Advanced Dental Concepts know these can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you happen to notice any of these signs, please schedule an appointment at our convenient Pace office by calling (850) 304-0027 as soon as possible. Our doctors can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits. We hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!!