Foods to avoid while you're wearing braces, from Dr. Jennifer Martin

There are a variety of foods Dr. Jennifer Martin wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should definitely avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give us a call or ask our staff during your next visit! We also encourage you to check out this helpful article about eating with braces, courtesy of Parenthood.com.

"My daughter is seven years old - when should I bring her in for a consultation?"

Great question! Dr. Jennifer Martin will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.

Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. Martin to assess what the best age for treatment is.

We hope this helps! We invite you to give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment and have yourself a relaxing and wonderful weekend!

You may request an appointment by filling out this form.

Boooo! Halloween contest at Dr. Martin's office!

We are excited to announce our Halloween contest!!! Now through Nov. 15th, bring in a unique Halloween photo to our office (or post it on our Facebook page) and you'll be automatically entered to win some cool prizes!

You may post a photo of:

- Your favorite decorations
- Your carved pumpkin
- Your Halloween costume

All photos will be posted in our office and YOU will determine the winner, so be sure to come by and vote for your favorite picture.

Note: Those who post photos on our Facebook wall will receive TWO Martin Bucks!!!

Invite your friends to comment or "Like" your photo on our page!

Dr. Jennifer Martin, Pleasant Hill's Invisalign provider

We've discussed Invisalign's benefits before, and today thought we'd talk about its oral health benefits. When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign at Dr. Jennifer Martin's office than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, we encourage you to give us a call at 925-676-8485. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page!

Lastly, along with all the pencils, pens and paper for back to school, we want to remind everyone to remember their "orthodontic back to school supplies" this weekend - rubber bands, wax and retainer cases.

Wishing everyone a great Labor Day weekend and a happy school year!