Happy Birthday from Dr. Martin & team!

Congrats and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of the following patients of Dr. Martin's who are celebrating birthdays this week!!!

William C.
Joey H.
Julia V.
Mackie B.
Michael K.
Matthew D.
Liam L.
Michelle L.
Charlie W.
Chelsea E.
Fiorina M.
Taninh C.
Zachery G.
Sam L.
Gino M.
Colin M.
Brianna P.
Kaelin B.
Adriannah H.
Joe P.
Brian V.

Happy Birthdays at Dr. Martin's office!

Congrats and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of the following patients of Dr. Martin's who are celebrating birthdays this week!!!

Katie E.
Eric F.
Joseph H.
Payton J.
Kaitlyn J.
Cheyenne L.
Isabel N.
Jeffrey Y.
Jack D.
Isabel G.
Lois B.
Amanda D.
Madeline H.
Paul M.
William M.
Anna P.
Katelynn C.
Sasha K.
Madison S.
McKenzie A.
Nicholas B.
Olivia G.
Sean G.
Maya O.
Noelle H.
Christine Q.
Alina T.
Matthew B.
Zoe B.

Back to school with Dr. Martin

At the office of Dr. Jennifer Martin, we know a new school year brings a lot of stress for many kids. New classes, new teachers, new friends and new academic challenges can be overwhelming! That’s why we thought we’d provide a few steps for our patients to enjoy their time in school and succeed this upcoming school year!

• Get plenty of sleep every night. Eight hours is recommended.
• Eat a healthy breakfast as it’s the most important meal of the day.
• Pack a healthy lunch or make healthy choices when selecting your school lunch. Try to avoid the vending machine and limit your intake of junk food.
• Stay on top of your homework and reading assignments.
• Stay active. Limit the time in front of the TV or playing video games. Instead, try to get outside to get some exercise—go for a walk or ride your bike.
• Ask for help. When you are having a hard time understanding a concept, ask your teacher or your peers for guidance.
• Always have a positive attitude and a smile on your face!

We hope everyone has a productive and fun school year!

Five reasons to visit Dr. Martin this summer

With the U.S. still mired in a recession, we know many folks around the country are putting off visiting the orthodontist for a consultation. We hear all the reasons - vacations, chores, emergencies, et cetera. Today, Dr. Jennifer Martin and our staff thought we'd give our prospective patients five reasons to visit our office this summer.

1. It's free!
2. Life is more flexible during the summer
3. Flex plan (HSA or MSA) planning
4. Patients can get used to their appliances before school starts
5. No need to miss school for an appointment

And here's another reason: Kids can reconnect with friends from school that they haven't seen for awhile - they are at the office having their braces checked too!

Lastly, did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven? Give us a call at 925-676-8485 to schedule a complimentary consultation!

"My son is turning 7 - when should we visit 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.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Straight talk with Dr. Jennifer Martin

Some people wonder why Pleasant Hill orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Martin and our dedicated team work tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth at Jennifer L. Martin DDS can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! A second-generation orthodontist, Dr. Martin is dedicated to the practice of orthodontics, and looks forward to sharing her knowledge, experience, and skills. Dr. Martin is deeply involved in the community; she knows and understands her patients, and strives to provide a unique, custom-tailored experience for each individual she treats

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation. Dr. Martin can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Access your account—any day, any time, anywhere!

Access to your account, whenever you want, wherever you want it. Sounds perfect and convenient, right?

Patients at Jennifer Martin DDS enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week! You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home - anytime!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started! We'd love some feedback about this helpful service!

Complimentary Consultations at Dr. Martin's office

At the orthodontic practice of Dr. Jennifer Martin, we know and understand our patients, and strive to provide a unique, custom-tailored experience for each individual Dr. Martin treats.

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Martin, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted, we invite you to give us a call or schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Martin online.

See you soon!

Gum disease and your orthodontic treatment

At the office of Dr. Jennifer Martin, we know it's easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you even knowing. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort, even while you're wearing braces. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• 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
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you or someone in your family is showing these signs, schedule an appointment right away by calling our office, serving Pleasant Hill and central Contra Costa County. We can refer you to a specialist and begin treatment to give you back a healthy mouth!

More than just a day off from school

Today, our country celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a thinker, leader and civil rights champion. In the 1950s and ’60s, Dr. King recognized the need to bring about social justice, and worked tirelessly to instill tolerance in our nation, strengthen America’s communities and move the nation forward. This weekend, thousands of people of all ages and races in the Bay Area and across the California spent their time building, giving and renovating our communities to help celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. Do you have the day off today? If so, what do you plan to do to help your local community?

We’d love to know about your activities and events this MLK Jr. Day. If you have any video or pictures you’d like to share, please pass them along! If you’re not sure how, give us a call!

Dr. Jennifer Martin and our entire team are proud of all our patients, families and colleagues who continue to make a difference in our community!

Are those rumors about swallowing bubble gum true?

At Dr. Martin's office, we know the rumors going around that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Give us a call at our convenient Pleasant Hill office if you have any questions or if sugarless gum is recommended during your specific treatme

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing from Dr. Martin and our entire staff!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

2011 is here—and what a year 2010 was at the office of Dr. Jennifer Martin! Today, we thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to this year? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

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!

Share your experience at Dr. Martin's office with the world!

Has your experience at the office of Dr. Jennifer Martin been GREAT?

Would you like to let others know?

Then we invite you to write a review on our Google Places Page! Do you already have a Google account? Great! Just click "write a review" to leave your message.

Don’t have an account? Sign up for one–it’s easy and takes only a minute or two!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience! We really appreciate it!

Giving Thanks

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season just around the corner, Dr. Jennifer Martin and our entire staff wanted to stop for a moment to say how thankful we are to have you in our orthodontic family. We realize that our practice thrives because of great patients like you - we are the lucky ones because we not only help keep you healthy, but we also have the pleasure of knowing you and your loved ones.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

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!

Patient question: What's Invisalign, and is it right for me? [Video]

Have you ever wondered how Invisalign treatment at the orthodontic office of Dr. Jennifer Martin manages to straighten your teeth without using traditional metallic braces? The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer to adults and teens at our convenient Pleasant Hill office. We have plenty of resources on our website to check out about Invisalign, or give our office a call at 925-676-8485 for a complimentary consultation to learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

Dr. Jennifer Martin is a Certified Invisalign® Provider in Pleasant Hill, California and surrounding communities in Contra Costa County.

What's on your mind? Tell Dr. Martin!

Happy Friday! Week after week, Dr. Jennifer Martin and our creative team blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic treatment care and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic techniques Dr. Martin offers at our Pleasant Hill office.

Today, however, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!

So… take it away and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have! Have a wonderful weekend!

The importance of regular dental checkups, from Dr. Martin

Dr. Jennifer Martin and our team want to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily during your orthodontic treatment? If your answer is yes, that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our Pleasant Hill office, of course).

Yes, October is National Orthodontic Health Month. But this month also marks National Dental Hygiene Month, and a great time for a checkup, which can help you maintain good oral health, especially during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Martin.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can 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 the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit with Dr. Martin and we will provide a few great references in Pleasant Hill or nearby communities here in Contra Costa County!