WAO Smiles Blog
Our WAO Smiles blog is for parents looking for helpful tips and information about general hygiene, orthodontic services, and industry trends. Enjoy.
Our Latest Blogs
Growing Smiles Growing Into a Smile: What the Childhood Years Make Possible
Dr. Bas Wafelbakker’s grandfather was a dentist. In his day, and for much of the last century, the standard answer to a crowded mouth was
Thankful Smiles Worth Celebrating: The Milestones of a Kid’s Braces Journey
Every kid who starts treatment at Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics gets a photo on the first day. Sign in hand, brand-new brackets, a grin that is
The Retainer Years: What Happens After the Braces Come Off
Debond day has a sound to it. The instrument clicks, the bracket lets go, and a patient who has spent two years running a tongue
The 90-Second Sort: A Braces-Friendly Guide to the Halloween Haul
Every family with braces in the house knows the moment. The doorbell has stopped ringing, the costume is half off, and a pillowcase gets upended
Why Age 7 Is the Magic Number: A Parent’s Guide to Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit
If you’ve ever looked at your seven-year-old’s grin — a mix of baby teeth, brand-new adult teeth, and a few wide-open gaps — and wondered
Back-to-School With Braces: A Parent’s Survival Guide to a Smooth, Smiley School Year
New backpack? Check. Fresh box of pencils? Check. A game plan for keeping those braces happy through a busy school year? That’s where we come
The Orthodontic Care Habits That Keep Your Smile on Track All Year
Every patient who walks into one of our offices — whether in Hollister, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, or Walnut Creek — starts treatment with the same
Starting the School Year with a Smile: What Every Braces Patient Should Know
Back-to-school season is one of the busiest times of year for families — and for our teams at Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics. Whether your child is
Braces-Friendly Summer Fun: Treats, Travel, and Smiles That Last All Season
July is built for fun — fireworks, cookouts, road trips, and plenty of ice cream. (It is National Ice Cream Month, after all.) Having braces
Make the Most of Summer Break: A Smart Time to Start Orthodontic Treatment
School is out, the calendar finally has some breathing room, and the days are long and easy. For families thinking about straighter smiles, that combination
National Smile Month: Why Your Smile Matters More Than You Think
Did you know your smile is often the very first thing people notice about you? According to the American Dental Association, people rank smiles as
Braces and Summer Adventures: Your Ultimate WAO Survival Guide for a Smile-Friendly Summer
Summer in California means sunshine, road trips, sports, pool days, beach snacks, and late-night ice cream runs. But if you’re wearing braces, summer also comes
Creating Thousands of Confident Smiles Throughout Our Communities
This June, we’re celebrating the two doctors who have helped create thousands of confident smiles throughout our communities. Dr. Wafelbakker and Dr. Anderson have spent
National Smile Month Is Here… and Moms, This One’s For You
Let’s be honest—May and June hit differently. You’re juggling end-of-school chaos, sports schedules, family plans, and somehow keeping everything (and everyone) on track. You’ve scheduled
Stress and Your Smile: An Overlooked Connection
Most people think of stress as something that affects sleep, mood, or energy levels. What often gets overlooked is how stress can also affect oral