Dental Superheroes to the Rescue!

As an orthodontic patient, you are probably more aware than most that the dental world involves a variety of specialties – orthodontics being one of the dental specialties identified by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Because there are myriad factors involved in taking care of your mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw, we sometimes call on our partners who specialize in different areas of dentistry. You can think of us and our partners as a team of dental superheroes, each with a different special power – although we usually work alone, we rely on each other for backup in tricky situations.

You may have been referred to us by your general dentist, who diagnosed your need for orthodontic treatment. In turn, we may need to refer you to a different type of specialist, should we spot any indication of a different type of problem.

Below you'll find a handy reference guide of dental specialties. Of course, should we ever refer you to another doctor, we will explain in detail exactly why your individual oral health requires a closer look by a particular specialist.

Endodontics
Dentists specializing in Endodontics are focused on the dental pulp, or soft tissue inside your teeth. As such, they are authorities on root canal treatment (extraction of the pulp from an infected tooth). With expertise in both root canal treatment and avulsion (salvaging teeth that have been knocked out), endodontists are the tooth-saviors of the dental world.


Orthodontics
Probably the best-known of the dental specialties, Orthodontics sets its sights on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems such as overbites and underbites. (These problems are known in the field as malocclusion, or "bad bite.") Orthodontists straighten and align teeth and jaws, most often using appliances such as braces and retainers.


Periodontics
Experts in the tissues that support the teeth (gums and other areas), periodontists are most often associated with the treatment of periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontists also treat complications arising from gum disease, such as lost bone and gum tissue.


Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgery involving the bones and tissues of the face, mouth, and neck is the task of the oral surgeon. Operations include wisdom teeth removal, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, dental implants, and surgery to remove cancer. This specialty also includes cosmetic facial surgery, which can address birth defects and ease the effects of trauma, accidents, and aging.

Pedodontics
Commonly known as Pediatric Dentistry, Pedodontics is the branch of dentistry dedicated to the oral care of infants and children. Trained in child development and psychology as well as dentistry, experts in this field are especially attuned to children's needs, and focus heavily on preventative care.


Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to tooth restoration and replacement, providing a variety of options to either fix or replace problem teeth. From crowns and veneers, which work with the teeth in your mouth, to bridges and dentures, which replace them outright, prosthodontists identify the best solution for damaged or missing teeth.

Welcome back to School!

Wu Orthodontics would like to welcome back the students returning back to school! What is your favorite part about going back to school?  

Welcome New Team Members!

We’ve added new team members to our family here at Wu Orthodontics. We would like to extend our warmest welcome to Kelly and Celina!

Kelly is our Front Desk Scheduling Coordinator. She is from a small town in Wisconsin and new to the Palo Alto area. During her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, good food, and playing video games.

Celina is our Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and comes to us with over 5 years of orthodontic experience. During her free time, she loves watching movies, reading, and spending time with her family. She also speaks Spanish.

We are very excited to have Kelly and Celina join our team, and we look forward to all of the “Wu”nderful contributions they will bring to our practice.

To find out more about the rest of our team, visit our web site.

Wu Orthodontics is now a Premier Invisalign Provider!

Invisalign is a proven method for aligning teeth, and we have years of experience administering treatment to patients. Wu Orthodontics is now a Certified Premier Invisalign Provider. This means Dr. Eric Wu has successfully completed the training course administered by Align Technology (makers of Invisalign), and we maintain regular treatment and attend ongoing clinical training classes to keep our treatment expertise top-notch. There are only 5% of offices across the country that are Premier Invisalign Providers!

How It Works

The Invisalign system uses aligners made of a clear, specially-manufactured plastic to slowly reposition and straighten your teeth. These aligners are tailor-made for your teeth and are completely removable, requiring no metal wires or brackets. The aligners are used in stages: each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the sequence, carefully moving your teeth in order as determined by your dentist.

Over 1 million people worldwide have chosen Invisalign or Invisalign Teen to improve their smile quickly and unobtrusively. To find out if Invisalign is the route to your new smile, we invite you to call our office to set up a consultation.

Never Too Old to treat yourself to a WUnderful Smile

Did you know one in every five orthodontic patients is an adult? We’re living longer and technology is improving, making orthodontic treatment an appealing and safe option for patients of all ages. As the trend toward treatment later in life grows, we’re seeing braces on parents as well as children – and even adult celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani and Nicholas Cage have shown off their smile through Invisalign or braces. It’s never too late to look and feel your best!

Can Braces or Invisalign Work for Adults?

People of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment. The physical process for moving teeth is the same, young or old, which means it is never too late to address issues such as an overbite or underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, or jaw disorders.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, we’ll make a consultation appointment with you. During this meeting we will perform a general assessment of your oral health, discuss options for treatment, and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss matters of cost and insurance. The next step is an orthodontic records appointment in which we take x-rays, photos, and an impression of your teeth. This information drives your unique treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits?

Straightening your teeth can improve your smile, your self-esteem, and your dental health. Technologically advanced new treatments such as the Damon System Braces or Invisalign make it easier to identify the option that best fits your lifestyle. Modern techniques and materials have made Damon System braces and aligners more effective and comfortable compared to traditional braces.

If you think you or someone you know might benefit from orthodontic treatment, get in touch with us today to set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs.

Taking Care of Your Toothbrush

You know your toothbrush is a vital tool for the proper care of your teeth – but do you know the best way to take care of your toothbrush? Following are some guidelines for toothbrush care:

One toothbrush should have one owner.

If you share your toothbrush, you could also be sharing bodily fluids and bacteria, increasing your risk of infection.

Toothbrushes need privacy, too.

For the same reason, when storing brushes, make sure they are placed in such a way that they can't touch each other.

Give your toothbrush some space.

Keep your brush in a clean, well-ventilated spot and make sure it has time to dry in between uses. Keeping your toothbrush in a closed, moist space regularly can encourage the growth of germs.

Showering is good for your toothbrush.

Before and after each use, rinse your toothbrush under running water to eliminate excess toothpaste and other residue. Rub your fingers along the bristles – but only after washing your hands; no use substituting one set of germs for another. When you're finished, shake out the brush to accelerate drying.

Let your toothbrush indulge in a nice bath.

You may be able to reduce the amount of bacteria on your brush by soaking it in anti-bacterial mouthwash after each use.

Don't get too attached to your toothbrush.

Swap your old toothbrush for a new one at least as often as every three to four months. Keep an eye out for frayed bristles and replace sooner if necessary. The more worn the bristles, the less effective brushing is. Of course, if you've been sick with the flu, a cold, or a mouth infection, say goodbye to your toothbrush and move on to a new, germ-free one immediately.

Don't trust Aunt Minnie's toothbrush-cleaning advice.

Although they certainly mean well, and they're clearly creative, your friends and relatives with home-cooked ideas about cleaning toothbrushes may not be the safest sources of information. Dishwashers, microwaves, and boiling water are no substitute for simply buying a new brush – and in fact could damage your brush, rendering it less effective.

Remember – what's good for the toothbrush is good for the teeth!

Wu Orthodontics Continuing Education

Keeping up with the latest advanced technology, Dr. Eric Wu went to Carlsbad, CA to visit the OrthoOrganizers headquarters office to learn about the latest in braces technology. Dr. Eric also met other orthodontists from around the country to share in their best practices. Pictured with Dr. Eric Wu is Lisa (Practice Relations Coordinator, Wu Orthodontics, Dr. Anurag Patel (TX), OrthoOrganizers Rep Ty Brown and Dr. Clark Colville (TX).

Give Kids a Smile Volunteer Day

Dr. Eric Wu volunteered his time at Fairmeadow Elementary School in Palo Alto for the annual Give Kids a Smile event. Children were taught how to take care of their teeth, including proper brushing and flossing techniques.

Happy New Year from Wu Orthodontics

WU-hoo! A jumpstart to a WUnderful 2011! What is your New Year's resolution? Share your resolutions with us by commenting here. If you or someone you know is considering straigtening their smile, Wu Orthodontics is the place to do it! Call us today to set up a consultation appointment.

Happy Holidays from Wu Orthodontics!

We would like to know what is your favorite time about the holidays? Leave us a comment of a story or picture and share it with us!

Invisalign Summit 2010

A WUnderful Treat

Wu Orthodontics teams up with ME911 to celebrate and honor the men and women of the armed forces for Veteran's Day!

Bring your unwanted Halloween Candy to donate AND create a personalized care card to be sent to our WUnderful troops!

(Wu Orthodontics patients, 1 pound of candy = 4 Damon tokens, or any fraction thereof!) All candy donations will be sent to our troops in honor of Veteran's Day!

WHAT IS ME911.com: A one stop virtual safe for all your vital data, to prepare you for an emergency including medical data, identification and fingerprints.

A talk about ME911 from Founder, US Army Captain Brooks, will be followed by free child fingerprinting. Captain Brooks, a Wu Orthodontics patient, is an officer in the US Army Airborne with extensive experience in emergency field response and has served with distinction in Afghanistan, Iraq and Hurricane Katrina.

WHEN: Monday, November 1, 2010 4:30 - 7:30 pm

ACTIVITIES:
Free Child Fingerprinting
Create a personalized card for the troops
Pick up Literature about ME911
Light refreshments will be provided

WHERE: Wu Orthodontics
1865 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306
Ph: 650-322-0228

Join us for this fun event!

September is National Preparedness Month

Some of the WUnderful community events our team is involved in. In recognition of National Preparedness Month, Practice Relations Coordinator Lisa volunteered at Quakeville, a pilot program that took place at Juanes Briones Park in Palo Alto. Lisa is part of a group of trained neighborhood volunteers on emergency preparedness that came together what life would be like in a major disaster.


Quakeville at Juanes Briones Park, Palo Alto

 Highlights of the exercise included checking in mayor Pat Burt, seeing the Mobile Emergency Operations Center (MEOC) from officer Ken Dueker and testing out radio commands. The Boy Scouts and Red Cross also participated in the event to bring awareness to be prepared for any major disaster.

Outside the office, Lisa is an emergency block preparedness coordinator (BPC) and recently planned a block party in her neighborhood.

Dr. Wu finishes the Tour de Peninsula Ride

Dr. Eric Wu rode the Tour de Peninsula Ride. The main purpose of the Tour de Peninsula was to raise funds for San Mateo County Parks. Dr. Wu completed the 50 mile route. It was a challenging ride that included intense climbs and elevation that went up Kings Mountain and Crystal Springs twice.

Congratulations Dr. Wu!

Who Cares About Straight Teeth?

Straight teeth help you to effectively bite, chew, and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems. Teeth that work better also tend to look better. An attractive smile is a pleasant "side effect" of orthodontic treatment.

An attractive smile is a wonderful asset. It contributes to self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image – important qualities at every age. A pleasing appearance is a vital component of self-confidence. A person's self-esteem often improves as orthodontic treatment brings the teeth, lips, and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve a person's general attitude toward life.

You may be surprised to learn that straight teeth are less prone to decay, gum disease and injury. Straight teeth collect less plaque, a colorless, sticky film composed of bacteria, food and saliva. Decay results when the bacteria in plaque feed on carbohydrates (sugar and starch) we eat or drink to produce acids that can cause cavities. Plaque can also increase the risk for periodontal (gum) disease. When teeth are properly aligned, and less plaque collects, these risks decline. And when teeth are properly aligned it is easier to keep teeth clean. As for injuries to teeth, protruding upper teeth are more likely to be broken in an accident. When repositioned and aligned with other teeth, these teeth are most probably going to be at a decreased risk for fracture.

Untreated orthodontic problems may become worse. They may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, destruction of the bone that holds teeth in place, and chewing and digestive difficulties. Orthodontic problems can cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints, sometimes leading to chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck. Orthodontic treatment to correct a problem early may be less costly than the restorative dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years.

Dr. Eric Wu teaches at UOP, School of Dentistry!

We would like share and congratulate Dr. Eric Wu for recently being appointed as an Adjunct Faculty Member of the Orthodontic Department at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry!

Dr. Wu loves teaching as well as being the most up to date with the latest techniques and technology. Dr. Wu will be working with orthodontic residents and teaching them about the Damon system, Invisalign, TADs and soft tissue lasers to name a few things.

Continuing education is very important to Dr. Wu and he considers himself to be a perpetual student!

Dr. Wu constantly strives for excellence in orthodontics, and a big part of that includes keeping himself informed on the latest and most efficient treatment techniques. You can always trust that because of his dedication to continuing education, you will always receive the best orthodontic care in Palo Alto when you visit Wu Orthodontics!

Got Yogurt? Your Gums May Thank You!

It’s a bird; it’s a plane; it’s… yogurt! It appears that plain, simple yogurt may be the newest superhero in our ongoing battle against gum disease. Researchers at Kyushu University in Japan studied nearly a thousand subjects between the ages of 40 and 79, and found that those with higher intakes of lactic acid foods like yogurt exhibited significantly fewer signs of periodontal (gum) disease. The study concluded that regularly eating yogurt may help keep your gums and teeth healthy.

Gum disease is an infection that occurs in the gums, deep tissues and bones that support your teeth. Without treatment, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. The American Academy of Periodontology cites gum disease as the primary cause of tooth loss in adults age 35 and over.

The best way to fend off gum disease is to follow the same measures you take to avoid cavities:

-Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste

-Floss every day between each tooth and behind your molars
-Have your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular schedule
-Maintain a healthy diet (and perhaps add some yogurt!)
It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of gum disease, since it can often occur without pain or discomfort to signal its presence.

Keep a lookout 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 bad breath
-Loose teeth
-Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

Wu Orthodontics Goes Green Certified!

Wu Orthodontics is pleased to announce that it is a Certified Green Business, after completing the Green Certification Program through Bay Area Green Business Program. Wu Orthodontics is the first green certified orthodontic practice in Palo Alto and Santa Clara County!

The Green Certification Program is a volunteer program for businesses to become certified and recognized for conserving water and energy, preventing pollution, reducing carbon footprint and minimizing waste. To become certified, a business must pass a series of audits that involve energy, lighting, water and waste.

Thanks to the efforts of Practice Relations Coordinator Lisa who managed the project from start to finish in just a few months. We would like to thank our devoted staff members, patients and parents for helping us achieve green certification. We and the environment appreciate your efforts!

Welcome our Newest Team Members!

We’ve added new members to our family here at Wu Orthodontics. We would like to extend our warmest welcome to Lisa and Samantha!

Lisa is our Practice Relations Coordinator and comes to us with 10 years of marketing and sales experience. She loves building life long relationships and presenting a practice message in professional and “Wu”nderful ways.


Samantha is our Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and comes to us with over 3 years of orthodontic experience. She loves seeing patients before treatment and the improvement it has made towards their new smile.


We are very excited to have Lisa and Samantha join our team, and we look forward to all of the “Wu”nderful contributions they will bring to our practice.

Please join us in welcoming Lisa and Samantha to the team at Wu Orthodontics! To find out more about the rest of our team, visit our web site.

Give Kids a Smile Month

February is a special time because it's National Children's Dental Month. Dr. Wu shared information with second graders on the importance of oral health in the local area.