At the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt we know most folks enjoy a hot-brewed coffee or tea in the morning, followed by a cola (or more coffee) in the afternoon. But what many don’t know is that both coffee and tea are especially tough on your teeth, because tannic acid (the substance that makes the dark color) etches into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, and can stain your pearly whites brown.

So, if you can’t give up that morning cup o’joe, what can you do? Dr. Corbitt and team suggest rinsing with a glass of water after every cup. If you enjoy iced coffee or tea, drink your beverage with a straw so that tannins don’t make contact with your front upper and lower teeth. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, we encourage you to swish and swallow some water at the end of each meal. Water, after all, helps neutralize acids left in your mouth after eating and also reduces cavity-causing bacteria.

Dr. Corbitt and our staff also invite you to visit our convenient Fort Worth office for whitening options. To learn more about cosmetic dentistry options at our office, please visit our website, ask us on Facebook or give us a call!

Everyone loves fun facts and dental tips. Fun, fun, fun! Dr. Corbitt and our staff came across these dental fun facts recently and thought you might enjoy!

• The second most common disease in the United States is cavities. The first is the common cold.
• There are almost 9,000 accidental pockings and piercings with toothpicks per year.
• X-rays may be an effective tool in preventing strokes.
• A child will have 20 baby teeth by the time he or she is 2 years old. Through childhood, kids gradually lose baby teeth and grow 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.
• According to consumer reports, dentists are among the 5 most trusted professionals in the United States.
• Approximately $2 billion a year is spent on dental products like toothpastes, mouthwashes and dental floss.
• The average American spends about 38 days brushing teeth over his or her lifetime.
• Kids in North America spend half a billion dollars per year on chewing gum.
• Approximately 94 percent of Americans say they brush nightly while only 81 percent say they brush first thing in the morning.
• Grand Rapids, MI was the first American city to fluoridate its water.
• Earliest record of a toothbrush was found in Chinese literature about 1600 AD
• The natural bristles of early toothbrushes were taken from the necks and shoulders of swine, especially pigs living in colder climates like Siberia and China.

Lastly, has it been at least six months since your last checkup? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call!

Thank you for the question, and yes, absolutely. Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart this summer – keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope this tip helps! Feel free to call us if you have any questions or ask Dr. Corbitt on Facebook.

At the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt, we know dental emergencies are never convenient or timely. If you are a patient of record, Dr. Renee Corbitt and our team are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you. If you have a dental emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call at 682-200-3198. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to contact Dr. Corbitt.

We proudly serve patients from Fort Worth and Arlington, among other surrounding communities here in the Dallas area.

We hope you’re all enjoying your summer.

At Dr. Corbitt’s office, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in Fort Worth, Arlington and surrounding communities. Even if you visit Dr. Corbitt every six months for your checkup, did you know that you can now connect with us on Facebook?

There, we share office news, important announcements and oral care tips, so we encourage you to check us out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook and have a great rest of the week,

– Dr. Corbitt and team