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Getting to the Bottom of Chewing Gum Myths

May 13th, 2026

It's a moment many of our patients have experienced. One second you're chewing on a piece of gum, then suddenly you forget to keep chewing and swallow the entire rubbery gob whole! It's at this point you remember your mother warning you as a child that if you swallow gum it will stake a claim…
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Keeping It Clean—Better for Your Retainer, Better for Your Oral Health!

May 6th, 2026

Now that you’ve graduated from your braces or aligners, you might think you’re finished with orthodontic cleaning tips. Not quite yet! Your retainer needs love, too—not just because it can look or smell “less than appealing” without your help, but because it’s good for your dental health. Removable Retainers If you have a Hawley retainer…
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Straight Talk about Your Smile

April 29th, 2026

Braces and aligners help straighten teeth and create a confident, attractive smile. And those visible benefits are amazing! But orthodontic treatment has an even more important purpose than transforming the appearance of your smile—and that’s protecting and improving your oral health. If you’re ready for orthodontic treatment, you know you can look forward to a future…
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What Are Adjustments?

April 22nd, 2026

If you’ve just gotten braces at our Park Ridge or Wilmette office, you’ve probably also learned a whole new vocabulary. Malocclusion, brackets, archwires, ligatures, elastics—you’ve got the definitions down. But now you’re scheduled for an “adjustment.” What exactly does that mean? Why Do I Need an Adjustment? After all, you’ve just gotten braces! But the…
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