Are you wearing your mouth guard?

Can you believe we're halfway through summer? As the weather gets - and stays - hot here in Michigan, the chances for athletes to sustain a mouth injury get likelier and likelier because of all the sports they play over the summer. Dr. Guyer would like to remind you to always take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports.

That includes wearing a mouth guard at all times when you're out on the field. Only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. And don't forget to ask us for a mouth guard - Dr. Guyer will provide a mouth guard for anyone in active treatment! We hope you're having a GREAT summer!

This summer, be a part of the Braces Brigade!

Thanks to our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists' Braces Brigade campaign, YOU can blog about your experience in braces AND come away with a $100 American Express gift card!

To complete your Braces Brigade application, you'll need to provide the AAO with your:

* Name
* Age – Must be 14 years of age or older
* E-mail
* Phone number
* Stage of orthodontic treatment
* A photo of your braces/smile
* A sample blog post – picture yourself as a member of Braces Brigade and show off those blogging skills! (100-word minimum)

In your blog, you'll (hopefully) answer the following questions:

• Why did you decide to get orthodontic treatment at Main Street Orthodontics?
• What advice would you share with other orthodontic patients?
• What does it feel like to get braces on?
• What foods do you miss the most?
• What new foods have you discovered?
• Do your friends have braces or retainers?
• Where is the first place you’re going to show off your new, beautiful smile?
• How has your new smile changed your life?

Remember, if you're under 18, your parents must fill out a consent form along with your official entry, giving you permission to enter the contest.

We strongly encourage you to apply for the Braces Brigade by August 31! If you get accepted, let us know during your next visit or post on our Facebook page!

Invisalign: How, exactly, does it work? [Video]

Perhaps you've thought about how Invisalign treatment at Main Street Orthodontics manages to straighten your teeth without using metallic traditional braces? Invisalign is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our convenient locations in Niles and St. Joseph.

Not only are the aligners invisible, they're also removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

Dr. Ed Guyer, who happens to be a certified Invisalign provider, also provides plenty of resources on our website about Invisalign, or give us a call to learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

Enjoy the rest of the week everyone!

Dr. Guyer and team want to know: what are your Independence Day weekend plans?

Like most Americans, our staff at Main Street Orthodontics will celebrate America's 234th birthday next Sunday.

Today, we thought we'd ask: what are you planning for the Fourth of July weekend? Are you heading to a barbecue? Hitting the open road with family? Are you planning on using fireworks to light up the night sky?

Whatever you and your family end up doing over Independence Day weekend, we hope you have a fantastic Fourth of July weekend!

See you all next week!