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.

Answering all your burning questions about mouthwash

While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:

• Fluoride - fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.

• Antiseptic - an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.

• Combination - a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.

• Prescription - for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.

There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:

• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)


If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask Dr. Wu at your next appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!

Softly Brushing Your Way to Clean Teeth

Just as there are so many different types of toothbrushes to choose from, each brush also has a different type of bristle! There are generally three different types of bristles; hard, medium, and soft. We always recommend that our patients, especially children and seniors, use a soft bristled toothbrush.

Using a hard and medium bristled brush can actually harm your teeth and gums by stripping the enamel from the teeth and irritating the gums so that they become red and sore, and can even cause gum recession. If you do use a hard or medium bristled brush as a personal preference, we recommend using an electric toothbrush.

Soft bristles are much gentler on your teeth and gums, and while patients of all ages are recommended to use soft bristled brushes, they are particularly great for children, seniors, patients recovering from a dental procedure, and patients wearing braces.

Soft bristles, and even extra-soft bristles are every bit as effective when it comes to cleaning your teeth; in fact, if you currently use a hard or medium bristled brush, try a soft bristled brush next time you buy a toothbrush and we bet you won’t even notice a difference!

--Wu Orthodontics

Summer Fun with Wu Orthodontics!

Its summer here at Wu Orthodontics, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

--From Wu Orthodontics

Summer 09 Pre-Dental Intern: Sandra Lee

We at WU Orthodontics were so lucky to have Sandra working with us this summer. She was our summer intern, and was able to work with Dr. Wu and the patients for several months. The patients loved her so much and she helped make their visits pleasant and enjoyable.



Sandra has been a great intern, and here is what she had to say about her time with us:

For the past three years, I have been taking pre-health courses along with my mathematics major at Bryn Mawr College, which happens to be twenty minutes away from University of Pennsylvania, where Dr. Eric Wu received his Dental Medicine Degree. Though I was fulfilling the pre-requisites for dentistry, I had never immersed myself inside the flow of dental work aside from regular dental check ups and my past braces experience.

Dr. Wu and the rest of the team at Wu Orthodontics wish her the best of luck! If you had a chance to meet Sandra during her time with us, be sure to leave a comment to congratulate and wish her well.

And the game is on!

One of our patients has sent in her Summer Postcard Contest picture and is in the run of winning big!

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand (South Island)
April 2009

Here is the letter that came along with the picture:

Dear Dr. Wu,

Enclosed is Elisabeth's contribution to your travel photo collection! (We forgot to bring it to our appointment this week)

This was taken on her trip to New Zealand in April. Those shirts are going to be seen 'round the world!

Also, thank you again for her "special request" DS prize. She's been saving up those tokens, and she's so thrilled to have earned this new horse-themed game. Nothing like a little incentive to keep the kids focused on the orthodontic goals.

We couldn't be happier with the results thus far, and with the outstanding professionalism (and FUN!) that we experience every time we come to your office.

Wu Orthodontics is the BEST!

Wu Orthodontics Hosts Next Study Club in Series

On May 19th, Wu Orthodontics is hosting the next study group event in the series for general dentists in the greater Palo Alto area.

Dr. James Boyd will lecture on the interconnection of bruxism (bad bite) and migraines. Dr. Boyd is a practicing clinical consultant and the Director of Research and Senior Clinical Instructor at the White Memorial Medical Center Craniofacial/TMD clinic in Los Angeles. He has studied extensively on the head neck connection and how it influences the work of dental practitioners.

Wu Orthodontics will provide hors d'oeuvres and expect numerous general dentists from the Palo Alto community to attend.

Summer Postcard Contest From Wu Orthodontics

Summer is just around the corner and we hope that you will be out and about enjoying the world. Whether exploring the Palo Alto community or traveling internationally, we want to hear all about your adventures.

So Wu Orthodontics is having a Summer Postcard Contest!

Here are the details, of course in postcard form!

Contest details...

We will have many categories, including...

So many great ideas, from climbing the Eiffel Tower

to scaling a rock wall..

to African Safaris!

Whatever you think of, there is a category to enter your postcard. So grab your Wu Orthodontics t-shirt and your cameras and show us what you got!