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!

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!

Ask Dr. Martin: How often should I replace my toothbrush?

Great question! Fall is here, and with it the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Martin and our staff will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - 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
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• 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 us on Facebook! We hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

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.

Dr. Martin wants to know: what's on your fall reading list?

This week marks National Young Reader’s Week, and during this time, it’s more important than ever to remind your child to read on a regular basis. After all, reading helps kids develop the mind, expands a child’s knowledge base, activates his or her flow of ideas and boosts their confidence. Plus, reading is fun!

Tell us: Are you reading a book this fall? If so, what’s on your reading list?

If you’re out of ideas for great fall reads, we encourage you to ask our staff or suggestions, and we’ll be happy to provide a few great titles. You may also ask a local librarian in Pleasant Hill or surrounding neighborhoods for some suggestions or check out various fall books for kids and teens that we found today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading everybody!