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My toothbrush did what?

September 30th, 2026

If you were to put your toothbrush bristles under a high-powered microscope, what you would see might give you nightmares: millions of bacteria, busily crawling up and down your toothbrush bristles, consuming proteins that came from your mouth, and still clinging to the bristles even after you’ve rinsed them with water. Rinsing your toothbrush after…
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Rubber Band Horoscopes: What your color says about you

September 23rd, 2026

One exciting part about wearing braces from Peterson Orthodontics is getting to choose the colors of your rubber bands. Orthodontists place elastic bands, or ligatures, over each bracket to secure the archwire in place. These rubber bands may be individual or connected, depending on your mouth’s needs. From Dr. Robert Peterson, you have the option…
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Dental X-rays: The Inside Story

September 16th, 2026

We’re all friends here, so if you sometimes feel a bit nervous before your orthodontic appointments, no judging! Ask us about any worries you might have. We are happy to explain procedures, equipment, and your orthodontic options so you know exactly what is going on during treatment. And if X-rays are a concern, we can…
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Adjusting Your Diet after a Braces Adjustment

September 9th, 2026

We all welcome the idea of braces adjustments at our Park Ridge or Wilmette office—an adjustment, after all, means you have taken another step on the way to your ideal smile! But sometimes the reality of an adjustment can be a little less welcome—you might have a few days of discomfort as you get used…
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