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.

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.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Wu Orthodontics!

Halloween Pumpkin Contest Winners