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.

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).

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

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.

Sleep Apnea

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing while you sleep. The pauses in breath can last from a few seconds to minutes at a time. The severity of the condition depends on the number of occurrences per hour during sleep. Usually, the normal breathing starts back up again with a loud snort or choking sound.

Sleep apnea is usually a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts your sleep that may result in poor sleep quality and make you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is one of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness.

The condition of sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Doctors usually can't detect the condition during routine office visits. Most people who have sleep apnea don't know they have it because it only occurs during sleep. A family member and/or bed partner may be the first to notice the signs of sleep apnea.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This most often means that a portion of the airway has collapsed or is blocked during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea happens more often in people who are overweight, but it can affect anyone. If left untreated sleep apnea can:
•Increase the risk for such conditions as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes
•Increase the risk for or worsen heart failure
•Make irregular heartbeats more likely
•Increase the chance of having work-related or driving accidents

A “sleep study” is usually required to diagnose sleep apnea.
Treatment for sleep apnea may include lifestyle changes, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), surgery, and/or oral appliances.

Dr. Wu is well trained to fabricate custom oral appliances for sleep apnea, having completed an advanced course in serious training for Dental Sleep Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry. Please give us a call at 650-322-0288 to schedule your complimentary consultation today.

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

What’s so special about an Orthodontist? Dr. Wu Explains

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Wu started out in dental school at the University of Pennsylvania and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school, and practicing as a dentist, Dr. Wu decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years completing his orthodontic residency (University of Pittsburgh) and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

--Dr. Eric Wu

Patient Appreciation Letter to Wu Orthodontics

Dr. Wu and Wu Orthodontics are doing amazing work in the Palo Alto community. Read this letter from one patient who is particularly thankful.



Dear Dr. Wu,

Thank you for helping me. With the braces, things are so much better.

Before when I was in school, I got in fights, some kids laughed at me, and people called me names, like “dienton,” which means “big teeth” in English. My life was hard because people called me that.

Now, nobody makes fun of me because they know that my teeth are better with the braces. My life is so much better. I am so happy with my teeth as they keep getting better.

Thank you for the braces. I am especially grateful to you for not being angry or taking away my braces when one or more brackets are broken. I will do my best to not break anymore brackets. Thank you to the ladies at the front table for their pretty smiles when I get to the table.

With deep gratitude,
Michael

Community and Patient Review of WU Orthodontics

Dr. Eric Wu of Wu Orthodontics serves the Palo Alto Community with superior orthodontic work. Just read this letter from a community member.

Dear Dr. Wu,

I have been composing this letter of thanks since the first day I saw Michael gleaming with his shiny new braces. I have told people the story of your generosity and on more than a few occasions the person listening was brought almost to tears (and indeed a few tears were in fact shed). As the Vice Principal of our school, I spend quite a bit of my time helping students content with their life challenges, both behaviorally and academically. I remember when Michael first came to our school just a few years ago, fresh from Mexico. Desperate to overcome his obvious awkward appearance, he was often sent to the office for either getting in fights or doing silly thinks in an effort to make friends. Often the fights he got in were because of other kids bullying him and instigating trouble just for their own cheap laughs.

Since he has had his braces, he has become an entirely new and improved Michael. He has friends who are sincere and earnest. He's been making significant strides to improve in school and he even insists on speaking English. There is, however, no better illustration of his positive changes than the school pictures. I've enclosed copies from last year and this year. You can see that he is unhappy and hiding his teeth in last year's photo, this year he is beaming with his big smile and shiny braces.

We cannot thank you enough for your incredible generosity. I don't know if you are available, but as a possible "save the date" we would love to honor you at our Community Celebration Appreciating Dinner. It is so wonderful to know that community members such as you are out there. Please know that our entire school is in awe and inspired by your act of generosity. You, probably more than you can imaging, have changed his life for the better.

Humbled,

Wunderful Work from Wu Orthodontics and Team

On Wednesday May 13th, our Wu Orthodontics team volunteered at the San Francisco Food Bank Distribution and Packing center. It is the hub where food and supply donations are received and packaged for over 135,000 homeless and underserved individuals for San Francisco. It is the largest distributor to non-profit agencies in San Francisco, providing dontated and purchased food to over 600 non-profit organizations. For many agencies, the SF food bank is their only source of food. This year, they will distribute nearly 33 million pounds of food, or enough to provide 70,000 meals a day!

Our Wu Orthodontics team sorted and boxed enough canned goods to feed an army for over a month! But boy were we sore afterward! As a reward, we then spent the sunny afternoon at a SF Giants game at AT&T park!

If you want to know more about the SF Food Bank, or want to learn ways that you can give back in the Palo Alto Community, give us a call at Wu Orthodontics.

Wu Orthodontics At Palo Alto Farmer's Market

Tomorrow is the first day for the Palo Alto Farmer's Market this summer!

Come support the Palo Alto community and taste a delicious selection of fruits and vegetables from local farmers. All proceeds from the market benefit Avenidas, an organization serving seniors in the mid-Peninsula area.

Wu Orthodontics will be there to join in the festivities. Dr. Wu will have a booth set up in the morning to answer any orthodontic questions you may have. Ask him to explain the Damon System and how self-ligating, low friction, and light force are ideal for adolescents in orthodontic treatment.

The market is located at Gilman Street and Hamilton, behind the Palo Alto Post Office. Hope to see you there!

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.

Dr. Wu's Dental Screening at Herbert Hoover Elementary Was a Huge Success!

Last Wednesday, April 8, there was a free dental screening at Herbert Hoover Elementary School to reach out to underprivileged kids throughout the Palo Alto community.

We are pleased to report that it was a great success!

The event was coordinated by the Palo Alto Unified School District and the Mid-Peninsula Dental Society. There were three Palo Alto dental professionals conducting the screening, Dr. Alan Lu, Dr. Latha, and Dr. Eric Wu.

Together, they were able to screen 29 kids!

Dr. Eric Wu is the Mid-Peninsula Dental Society Chair and he also attended Herbert Hoover Elementary School.

Painted Lady Butterflies Infiltrate Wu Orthodontics!

Butterflies at Wu Orthodontics! (And we don't mean the kind that turn your stomach into knots.)
These are the real deal. Painted Lady Butterflies are all around the Palo Alto Community right now, and some have even come into our orthodontic practice!

The butterflies migrate northwest this time of year and they don't stop until they run out of reserved fat carried over from their caterpillar stage. Back a couple years ago, the swarm was so thick it stopped traffic!

This year, to welcome them, we put up hundreds of colorful paper butterflies around our office.

They will only stay awhile as they migrate through, but hopefully they will be back in August as they return to the desert, their winter home. In the meantime, stop by Wu Orthodontics to see our colorful display, who knows maybe a Painted Lady or two will stop by to greet you!

Wu Orthodontics Patient Reviews

At Wu Orthodontics, we specialize in providing superior orthodontic services with customized treatment plans for each patient. We know how important your smile is and love helping you with yours. Just here what our patients have to say about us!Dr. Wu is super nice and he makes braces seem really cool.
-Zimberlyn B.

Dr. Wu is available and cares.
-Chinyere N.

Where do I start! Dr. Wu is very friendly, easy-going, and explains treatment well.
-Jennifer R.

Dr. Wu and his staff are very courteous.
-Veronica M.

Wu Orthodontics has a great location and really give you personal attention.
-Buckley L.

Now That I Have Braces, What Can I Eat? - Wu Orthodontics

You just got braces and the orthodontist has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!
Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Patients Love Wu Orthodontics!

At Wu Orthodontics, we love our patients and treat them as extensions of our own families, so when our patients are excited about their experience at our office, we can't help but share! Listen to what K.L. had to say about her recent visit to our practice:

"Your office is very inviting, clean, bright, and friendly. The staff is very helpful, warm, and friendly. Nice to visit a cutting edge and modern designed office! A refreshing experience!"

We'd always love to hear more from our patients, so feel free to leave a comment to let us know how your Wu Orthodontics experience was!