Getting social with Dr. Martin

We embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative treatments we offer, 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, we 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 Dr. Martin and our staff takes 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? Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

The benefits of a beautiful smile

We know that having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step—or two—as well as increases your self-confidence, no matter if you’re 14 or in your late forties. Smiling not only makes people happy and puts them in a good mood, doing it often can even help you live longer, according to previous studies!

If you’ve been hiding your smile because you have crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth, it’s time to consider orthodontic treatment at our practice. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s most advanced correction techniques can straighten your smile!

Don’t hide your smile any longer — give us a call today to schedule yours or your child’s orthodontic consultation.

What’s on your mind?

As the summer progresses, our team at Dr. Jennifer Martin’s office strive to continue writing about important topics related to orthodontics and your treatment at our office.

To help us continue doing that through the course of the summer, Dr. Martin and team would like to ask you, our readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing and exciting field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the summer months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Martin for a while? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

We hope you’re having a great week!

When should you call Dr. Martin?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Dr. Jennifer Martin. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with Dr. Martin:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth

2. Difficulty of chewing or biting

3. Mouth breathing

4. Finger sucking or other oral habits

5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth

6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude

7. Speech difficulty

8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth

9. Protruding teeth

10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all

11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry

12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you or your child? If so, give us a call as soon as possible! Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Pleasant Hill and surrounding areas in Contra Costa County.

See you all in 2011!

Season's greetings from Dr. Martin and team!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as our team at the orthodontic office of Dr. Jennifer Martin reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2011? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us here, or on our Facebook page, all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets and crunchy foods!

Happy Holidays!

Dr. Jennifer Martin and staff, easing your child's fear of the dentist (and orthodontist)

Dr. Jennifer Martin and our team know that many children have fear when it comes to visiting the dentist or orthodontist. Recently, we found a great article on how parents can help their kids overcome fears of the dentist, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Making your child feel comfortable when they visit Dr. Martin for an orthodontic consultation is a priority for us, and we excel at making children feel comfortable when visiting with Dr. Martin or our friendly staff. In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit!

So when should kids come in for a consultation? It's best for Dr. Martin to see children by age seven to evaluate the need for orthodontic treatment and determine when the best time is for that treatment. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and crossbites, crowding and other problems can be evaluated. Has your child visited Dr. Martin's office? If not, it’s time to schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation!

Congrats to our GIANTS!

Dr. Jennifer Martin and our entire staff would like to congratulate the San Francisco Giants for winning the 2010 World Series last night! They won the Series in just 5 games, which is VERY difficult to do, and we couldn't be more proud of them!

Ask Dr. Martin: What's the deal with retainers?

If you recently completed treatment at Dr. Martin's office, our entire staff would like to congratulate you again! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Jennifer Martin will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Martin is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for an entire lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment, please visit our website for instructions and read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth. You may also give us a call at 925-676-8485!

We hope you're having an excellent weekend!

What are patients saying about Dr. Jennifer Martin?

You may remember that last week, we asked you, our amazing patients, what you most liked about Dr. Jennifer Martin, our staff and our office. Well, we received some pretty great reviews over the past week, and thought we’d share a few testimonials with you today. Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about your treatment at Jennifer L. Martin DDS! We love getting patient testimonials!

"Dr. Martin seems very nice. We noticed friends of ours are her patients." ~ Ryan M.

"Dr. Jen herself and the entire staff. Everyone is helpful, pleasant, fun and gentle with the patients as well as explain everything thoroughly to them good and bad." ~ Laura W.

"The family atmosphere. Profession does not have to mean being cold. Dr Jen has taken on the best quality of her father. ( true care, compasion, and kindness)" ~ Michael W.

"I am Natalie's mom, Janel, and I love the fact that Dr. Jen is always smiling when we see her and makes it easy for Natalie to talk to her. She looks her directly in the eye and speaks to her as an adult which I always appreciate." ~ Natalie K.

"Dr. Jen is nice and so are the assistants. The assistants are also sociable and they decorate for the holidays, which I like." ~ Jessica N.