At the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth, courtesy of WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to visit Dr. Corbitt is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting Dr. Corbitt’s office at least twice a year or as recommended, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your natural teeth.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you’re wearing braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

We hope you’re having a great week! Visiting the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt on a regular basis will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy as well. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Today, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

As your dentist, Dr. Corbitt is a specialist who works to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Enjoy your Halloween weekend!

Cold and flu season is here – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Renee Corbitt and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Fort Worth office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at Renee Corbitt DDS, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

Do you eat all day and still stay hungry? Can’t shake that lingering cold? Some extra sleep will help your body in so many ways. Dr. Corbitt and team encourage you to read about the “5 Surprising Signs You’re Sleep Deprived” that discusses the signs your body gives you when you’re tired and sleep deprived, and provides some helpful tips.

Questions? Please give us a call or ask Dr. Corbitt on Facebook!

October is almost over, but not before Dr. Corbitt and our staff remind all our patients that October is National Dental Hygiene Month!

Your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting our convenient Fort Worth office on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

We encourage you to check out the official National Dental Hygiene Month website, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last visit to Renee Corbitt DDS? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call at (682) 200-3198 to set up an appointment.

Have a wonderful week

Dr. Corbitt and team know sleep disorders are fairly common, with around 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder. Some of these progress to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms, and as it worsens it can lead to full airway blockage while you sleep, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns. 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. It can also take a toll on your overall energy level, as sleep apnea causes an ongoing state of fatigue.

In fact, in a recent study, researchers discovered that sleeping less than 9 hours, going to bed late and no bedtime routine can – and do – affect children’s academic skills. If you suspect that you may suffer from a sleep disorder or sleep apnea, please give us a call at 682.200.3198. Dr. Corbitt has completed UCLA’s Sleep Medicine mini residency, which has given her the ability to screen patients for sleep apnea and refer to a sleep clinic for a sleep study, if necessary. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to so many health issues, early diagnosis and treatment is very important.

Contact our practice, and we can schedule a sleep apnea screening appointment. We may recommend an overnight sleep study to diagnose the precise extent of the problem, which is needed to prescribe the appropriate treatment. Depending on your medical insurance, Dr. Corbitt may refer you directly to the sleep clinic or contact your primary care for the referral.

Everybody is jumping on the electric toothbrush bandwagon in recent years, with many experts in the dental field claiming electric toothbrushes provide superior dental care. It’s true that electric toothbrushes are recommended for those who can’t do a good job brushing manually or who have arthritis or other conditions. But manual toothbrushes do have some advantages, according to an article we recently found including:

• Cost. While electric toothbrushes may be expensive for many people, manual toothbrushes are both inexpensive and accessible.

• Less pressure on your teeth & gums. While we can feel the amount of pressure we’re using as we grasp our manual toothbrush, we can’t feel the pressure nearly as well with an electric toothbrush. Placing too much pressure on our teeth can wear away at the tooth enamel, which causes pain, sensitivity, as well as an increased risk of tooth decay.

• Simple to pack. Manual toothbrushes are easy to carry around for those business or family trips. People are less likely to let their good dental care habits lapse on vacation with a toothbrush that they can easily bring along!

• Better for kids. Learning at a young age how to properly use a manual toothbrush helps children get a feel for how to properly take care of their oral hygiene.

Electric toothbrushes, on the other hand, are more effective in removing plaque and are considered a better alternative to maintaining gum health. Remember, whether you choose a manual or an electric toothbrush, and our team at the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt encourage you to choose one with soft bristles and be sure to change the bristles on the electric brush when they become worn down. We also encourage you to replace your toothbrush every three months, when the bristles are no longer straight and firm or after you recover from a cold.

Give us a call if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook! Happy brushing!

Happy Monday! Dr. Renee Corbitt and our staff would like to give those patients with flex spend, health savings, or insurance benefits a friendly end of the year reminder that it’s high time to schedule your dental visits so you optimize your benefit.

Now is the time to reserve you appointment with us – space is limited and we tend to get busy, so don’t wait to give us a call at (682) 200-3198!

At Renee Corbitt DDS, 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!

Dr. Corbitt and our team will tell you early recognition and taking 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 knows 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 Fort Worth office by calling us as soon as possible. Dr. Corbitt can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

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!