The importance of wearing a mouth guard when playing sports

At Main Street Orthodontics we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. The spring and summer months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Dr. Guyer and our team also know sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. Another 67 percent admitted their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when playing sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer.

That’s why Main Street Orthodontics are doing our part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Guyer will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment.

In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Guyer is trying to achieve. Lastly, please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Main Street Orthodontics.

Dr. Guyer announces the winner of our Celebrity Faces with Braces Contest

Our whole team at Main Street Orthodontics had a lot of fun hosting our Celebrity Faces with Braces Contest. There are so many popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces that orthodontic treatment is more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens. Today, Dr. Guyer is excited to announce that Shannon D. is the winner of our Celebrity Faces with Braces Contest. Congratulations Shannon, and thank you to everyone who participated!

How important is your smile? From Main Street Orthodontics

For over 20 years, Dr. Guyer has been practicing orthodontics in Michigan. He understands the needs and expectations of his patients, and is dedicated to working with you and your family to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you want!

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Please contact Main Street Orthodontics for your FREE consultation, and start smiling!

Foods to Avoid during your Orthodontic Treatment

There are a variety of foods Dr. Guyer wants you to avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give Main Street Orthodontics a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

The benefits of dairy, from Main Street Orthodontics

Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A research study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give Main Street Orthodontics a call.

What do you enjoy most about fall?

It’s fall here at Main Street Orthodontics, a time when all across the country, the leaves begin to change colors, the air becomes crisp, and families begin to make plans for Thanksgiving.

Today we wanted to ask you, our wonderful patients, "How are you spending your time this fall?" Our team would love to hear about your favorite places for eating, shopping, and entertainment within the Niles and St. Joseph areas. We are interested in learning about what makes your community “yours.”

Feel free to post your responses on our Facebook page, or give us a call!

Cool kids get braces with Dr. Guyer!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as Invisalign and the Damon System, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams, Justin Bieber—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Guyer, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Has your child or teen visited Main Street Orthodontics for a consultation? If not, please give us a call and let us help your child begin the journey to a gorgeous smile!

Why the Damon® System?

Something big is happening in the orthodontics world, and it’s no other than Damon braces, which allow your teeth to move more comfortably and easily than traditional braces. With the Damon System, achieving that perfect smile will be faster and easier than you ever thought possible.

Dr. Guyer is a certified Damon System provider in Niles and St. Joseph, MI. To learn more about the Damon System or your treatment here at Main Street Orthodontics, please give us a call.

Why do you choose Main Street Orthodontics?

From your very first visit to Main Street Orthodontics our doctor and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Guyer's work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review here for our Niles, MI office. You could also write a review here for our St. Joseph, MI office. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you,

The team at Main Street Orthodontics

Dr. Guyer congratulates our summer contest winners!

This summer, Dr. Guyer and our team enjoyed hosting the "Where in the World is Dr. Guyer?" summer contest and the Tailgate Drawing. Congratulations to all of our summer contest winners! For the "Where in the World is Dr. Guyer?" contest, here are our $50 Visa gift card winners:

Farthest Vacation Photo Winner- Chris K.

Funniest Vacation Photo Winner- Matthew K.

Most Unique Vacation Photo Winner- Grant D.



The Main Street Orthodontics Tailgate Drawing was a drawing for everything that you might need to tailgate before the big game, with a prize of a mini grill, charcoal, a cooler, and chairs. Cole H. is the lucky winner of the Tailgate Drawing.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their summer photos with Dr. Guyer and entered our Tailgate Drawing. We enjoyed staying connected with all of our patients this summer! As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about the summer contests, or if you would like to schedule a consultation at our office.

Top ten tips for keeping plaque at bay, from Main Street Orthodontics

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

1. One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

2. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

3. The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

4. Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

5. Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

6. Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

7. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

8. Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

9. Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

10. Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

Hope this helps!

Main Street Orthodontics

Thanks to Invisalign® with Dr. Guyer, mom and dad can also have a perfect smile!

Hey parents! Focusing on your kids' teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking wistfully about having your own set of perfect teeth, our staff at Main Street Orthodontics can help! We are specially trained to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

What puts you at ease at Main Street Orthodontics?

Dr. Guyer and team understand not everyone enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Main Street Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Guyer?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

Tailgate with Main Street Orthodontics!

This September, Dr. Guyer and our team at Main Street Orthodontics will be hosting a Tailgate Drawing. One lucky patient will win everything that you might need to tailgate before the big game, specifically a mini grill, charcoal, a cooler, and chairs.

The drawing will be held September 20th, so don't forget to enter your name into the Tailgate Drawing at your next appointment! As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about the tailgate drawing, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment.

Good luck,

-Main Street Orthodontics

Ask Dr. Guyer: What can Invisalign® do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Main Street Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.


Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Guyer the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Back to school extended hours at Main Street Orthodontics

Now that many of the schools in Niles and St. Joseph, MI are starting session again, Dr. Guyer and our team want to remind all of our patients about scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs and sports to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit Main Street Orthodontics. To help accommodate all of our patients' busy schedules, our office will have extended hours until 6pm on Wednesday beginning after Labor Day. It is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

Dr. Guyer and our team also want to remind everyone of how important it is to give advance notice if you are unable to make an appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment. We hope that everyone is enjoying the last couple weeks of summer!

Where in the world is Dr. Guyer?

Are you traveling outside of Niles and St. Joseph, MI this summer? If so, don't forget to bring your Dr. Guyer paper plate cutout with you! Our team loves staying connected with patients, which is why we are giving away three different $50 Visa gift cards for the most creative Dr. Guyer vacation pictures that we receive.

To enter, bring your Dr. Guyer vacation photo in to your next appointment. Winners will be announced September 8th, so don't wait to snap those pictures!

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us on our Facebook page, or you can give us a call.

Have a great week,

-Main Street Orthodontics

Summer savings at Main Street Orthodontics!

Are you considering orthodontic treatment in Niles or St. Joseph, MI? Dr. Guyer and our team are excited to introduce to you our practice, where our mission is to improve the health, appearance, and self-confidence of each and every patient that we serve. If you haven't already had a chance to take a look at the Main Street Orthodontics website, we encourage you to come see what our orthodontic team is all about! If you look carefully, you might even see a coupon for $200 off your initial fee!

Give us a call today to schedule a complimentary consultation with Main Street Orthodontics. We look forward to a long and positive relationship and one we are totally confident you will be happy to recommend us to your family and friends.

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!

Main Street Orthodontics want to know: Did you change the world today?

At Main Street Orthodontics, we support Earth Day. Whether lending our helping hands to plant trees or grasses or getting out to volunteer in various projects around St. Joseph or Niles, today was our opportunity to get involved in making our year-round impact in the community. Dr. Guyer wants to know: Did you make a difference today? Tell us, what Earth Day-related activities did you accomplish? How long have you participated in helping our community and planet?

Earth Day, which today marks its 40th anniversary, is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for our environment and ecosystem. If you’d like to join the millions of people around the world who are making small but important changes to help sustain our ecosystem, we encourage you to try these helpful environmental tips, courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Have a great rest of the week everyone!

-- The staff at Main Street Orthodontics