The year is almost over, so Dr. Renee Corbitt and our staff thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year’s resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Fort Worth, Arlington and surrounding communities in the greater Dallas area and beyond.

See you in 2011!

I am excited to announce I will be starting a 5-month mini-residency at UCLA in sleep medicine. I am really excited to start this—they only take 20 doctors at a time and I have been on the list for 2011. Since its creation nearly a half century ago, the UCLA School of Dentistry has evolved into one of the premier dental schools on an international stage.

The program requires I attend one weekend a month from February to June. This will allow me to start treating patients who have sleep apnea and want to stop snoring and get rid of their CPAP machines!

Sleep apnea, a condition in which people repeatedly stop breathing at night, can occur as many as 20-to-30 times an hour. Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem that, if left untreated, can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke.

There are two kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive apnea and central apnea, and the following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of the following symptoms, please give me a call as soon as possible at my Fort Worth office.

* Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
* Loud snoring at night
* Waking up at night short of breath
* Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
* Headaches upon waking in the morning
* Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
* Extreme drowsiness throughout the day

Happy Holidays!

Thanks for the question. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for periodontal disease, also known as gum disease.

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

Our friends at the American Academy of Periodontology created a helpful self-assessment test that can help you determine what your risk is at home. Early detection is critical to avoiding serious and costly dental problems.

Of course, the best way to know for sure what the health of your teeth and gums is would be a visit to our Fort Worth office.

Please feel free to contact our Fort Worth office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Corbitt – new patients are always welcome! Your first visit will help us to understand your dental goals and create a treatment plan just for you. Call today!

At the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative dental treatments Dr. Corbitt offers, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, however, Dr. Corbitt and our staff understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While we take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog in the coming weeks or months? Please post your thoughts or give us a call!