If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth but are apprehensive about metal wires and brackets getting in the way of your smile, Invisalign treatment at John I. Esterkyn Orthodontics may be a great solution. Invisalign, which straightens teeth through a series of clear, custom-fit removable aligners, does so in a way that is discreet and hardly noticeable.

If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at our office, please give us a call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Esterkyn.

More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet, 70 percent say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt. Despite the risks, many kids are still not wearing mouth guards and facial protection during games and practices.

Many people think a mouth guard is effective just to protect your teeth. But research has shown mouth guards can also reduce lower jaw impact that causes concussions and other dental injuries. Our staff at John I. Esterkyn Orthodontics encourage you to head over to the American Association of Orthodontists’ website for a quick primer on the importance of mouth guards and facial protection.

We hope this helps you remember to always wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in fall sports! We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook!

The Patient Rewards Program is easy and FUN! All you have to do is bring your card to your appointment, ask a team member to swipe it, and watch the points pile up! Earn more points at each appointment for things like; having excellent oral hygiene, referring a friend or seeing your dentist for a dental cleaning. Your reward points will grow as you continue throughout your orthodontic journey.

Rack Up The Points & Get Cool Stuff!

Now, here’s where it gets fun. Go to www.eastcountybraces.com then click on the Patient Rewards Card. Enter your 16-digit reward number and your 4-digit password (from the back of your card). Once you’re inside the reward hub you can: Check your points, Upload your own personal profile, photo,Retrieve messages from our office.

And it gets even better…. the prizes are mailed directly to your house! Visit our website for more details or ask any one of the team members. As always… thanks for being such a great patient!

Dr. John Esterkyn and our team at John I. Esterkyn Orthodontics want to know: what do your winter plans look like? Do you have any plans for an exciting family vacation? Are you hanging out around town? Catching up on sleep? Spending time with friends? Let us know!

Please feel free to share your exciting winter plans and experiences with us here or on our Facebook page! We would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!

Please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you. Thank you!
- The team at John I. Esterkyn Orthodontics

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season knocking at our door, our entire team at John I. Esterkyn Orthodontics wanted to stop for a moment and extend our best wishes to you, our patients, referring doctors and families, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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

Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why Dr. John Esterkyn and our team at John I. Esterkyn Orthodontics recommend that you brush and floss after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxabrush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We encourage the use of fluoride rinse as well; just ask us for a recommendation!

When your braces are initially placed, your teeth are likely to be very sensitive. You may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will have.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy snacks that can stick to your teeth.

Dr. Esterkyn and team will tell you it’s crucial to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, please call our Brentwood or Antioch office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.

Lastly, in addition to visiting our office during your orthodontic treatment for adjustments, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months, or as recommended by your dentist.

Questions? Please let us know below or on our Facebook page. You may also give us a call!

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as basketball, wrestling and hockey.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Dr. Esterkyn and team will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our office or ask us on Facebook.

Stay safe!

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way or feel free to post them on our Facebook page!

We hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween! Also, what are you up to this month? Anything exciting happening in your life? If so, we’d love to hear all about it!

Lastly, have you been in for a dental checkup lately? It’s important that you see your general dentist, as well as visiting Dr. John Esterkyn. If you have questions about your orthodontic treatment or just want some general information, give our Brentwood or Antioch office a call or ask us during your next visit!