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.