Renee Corbitt's Blog

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

Don’t put off your visit Dr. Corbitt’s office any longer! As we’ve shared in previous blog posts, oral health issues have been increasingly linked to other health concerns, such as heart disease. Cardiovascular disease remains American’s number one killer, claiming more lives than the rest of major causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Studies are also beginning to suggest that patients, especially those with periodontal disease, are believed to have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Since most patients are not regularly visiting a heart specialist, their regular visits to the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt can help detect early warning signs of heart issues, prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. We’d also like you to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25).

Additionally, if it’s been more than six months since your last visit to our Fort Worth office, please give us a call! Summer makes for a great time to check in with us!

Thanks for the question. At the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt, we understand sour candy is a part of any respectable goodie bag. But while sour candy can be delicious, they are arguably as unhealthy for your teeth as sweet candy. The reason is, sour candies tend to be very acidic, and are capable of burning your cheeks and gums while wearing down the enamel on your teeth.

In 2008, the Minnesota Dental Association released a study which suggested the amount of acid in sour candies may eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Dr. Corbitt would like to remind you that if you should experience a craving for sour candies this summer, please:

1. Remember to rinse your mouth with water immediately after consuming candy, drink milk, or eat a couple pieces of cheese.

2. Do not brush immediately after consuming sour candy. The candy’s acidic nature tends to soften tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth can mean abrading the enamel.

3. Limit the amount of sour candies that you consume on a daily basis. If you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

If tooth erosion has already begun, ask Dr. Corbitt about ways to reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth. Let us know if you have any questions!

We hope you’re having a great week and a great summer so far! If you are planning on traveling with family this summer or think you might not be able to make it to your scheduled appointment with Dr. Renee Corbitt, please let us know ahead of time so that we may be able to accommodate you, as well as schedule another patient during that time.

Also, we ask that you give us a call and and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed! Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you! Enjoy your summer!

America turns 235 years old today! It’s a day to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and also a time for every American to pay homage to our soldiers – past and present – who have placed themselves in harm’s way so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom.

Our team at the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt would like to know: what are your plans for the 4th of July? Are you out in the sun? Have you stocked up on fireworks? Are you going to grill up your favorite summer foods? If you have a 4th of July tradition, we would love to hear all about it.

We hope you have a fun and safe holiday! Feel free to upload your 4th of July photos to our Facebook page and let us know how your Independence Day turned out this year.

Are you remembering to brush your teeth twice a day, especially after meals? If yes, that’s wonderful. But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit our convenient Fort Worth office every six months in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day and flossing. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Dr. Renee Corbitt can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam we will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not visited our office during the past six months, it’s time to schedule an appointment by calling (817) 294-8821! Summer is a great time for a quick visit!