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!

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.

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

The Damon System at Main Street Orthodontics: Better Results in Less Time

A lot of our patients, (especially you parents!) come to Dr. Guyer convinced that traditional braces are the only answer to straight teeth. Here at Main Street Orthodontics, we offer the Damon System, a revolutionary new braces system that can give you better results in less time!

Some questions you're probably asking yourself include:

Am I right for the Damon System?

Main Street Orthodontics will evaluate your eligibility for the Damon System, and the procedure can be performed for children and adults alike!


What makes Damon braces better?

Probably the biggest advantage of Damon braces over traditional brackets is the amount of time and effort involved. Main Street Orthodontics can often cut months off of the total treatment time for patients using the Damon System, and less visits to our office are necessary to make adjustments.

In addition, the Damon System brackets are:

• Cleaner- Damon brackets don’t have the elastic of traditional brackets, and are less prone to all the plaque buildup that your dentist warns you about!
• Discreet- Damon braces are smaller and have fewer parts than traditional brackets, making them less noticeable and more comfortable.
• No tightening- With the Damon system, Dr. Guyer can position your teeth and avoid frequent adjustments. This also reduces the need for complicated tooth extractions or surgery.

If you have been thinking about an orthodontic procedure, contact the team at Main Street Orthodontics for an assessment to see if the Damon System is right for you!

More About Orthodontics From Dr. Guyer

There are so many questions about orthodontics that we never ask, so Dr. Guyer took some time to explain the most common concerns.

At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?

Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age seven or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist or the child's physician.

What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?

Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander, Herbst, Facemask, headgear, or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, underbites, or harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment, because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

Would an adult patient benefit from orthodontics?

Absolutely!! Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Between 30-40% of our patients are adults.

How does orthodontic treatment work?

Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the arch wire that connects them are the main components. When the arch wire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis, but the average time is from one to two years. Actual treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the correction necessary. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments are important in keeping your treatment time on schedule.

Do braces hurt?

The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the arch wires, you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to four days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.

Will braces interfere with playing sports?

No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouth guard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouth guards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?

No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers or wax can be provided to prevent discomfort.

Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?

Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist every six months for cleaning and dental checkups, or more frequently as recommended.

Got more questions? Give us a call at Main Street Orthodontics. We'd love to hear from you.

Answering all your burning questions about mouthwash

While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:

• Fluoride - fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.

• Antiseptic - an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.

• Combination - a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.

• Prescription - for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.

There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:

• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)


If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask Dr. Guyer at your next dental appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!

Summer Fun with Main Street Orthodontics!

Its summer here at Main Street Orthodontics, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

-From Main Street Orthodontics

Parsley and Other Ways To Brighten Your Smile

At Main Street Orthodontics we see lots of patients concerned about their bad breath. So we want to educate you about what you can do to really keep your chompers clean and breath minty fresh!

Naturally, good oral hygiene is the first set. With proper brushing and regular dental checkups you can keep bad breath (halitosis) in check.

Certain foods, medications, smoking, sinus issues, or even gum disease cause most bad breath. If the stink lingers for longer than 24 hours, It might be something more serious, like dehydration, zinc deficiency, diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure, or even certain kinds of cancers!

In the meantime, here are some home remedies to keep you smiling bright from Main Street Orthodontics.


--Spice Up Your Life
Snack on some cloves, fennel, or anise after each particularly odorous snack.

--Don’t forget the tongue

Lots of people brush their teeth regularly, but leave the tongue alone. One of the main causes of bad breath is food and plaque residue on the surface of your tongue. So give it a nice gentle brush-over too!

--Watch your drinking habits

The worst options are coffee, wine, whiskey, and beer.

--Frequent brushing

Carry a toothbrush with you so brushing after each meal is convenient and refreshing! Trust us, you’ll love the way it makes you feel. If you can’t brush, still swish around a couple sips of water to remove any lingering food.

--Make your own Gargle

Gargling with a home mixture of sage, calendula, and myrrh gum extracts four times a day should ward off that bad breath potential.

--Parsley’s there for a reason

Finish your parsley after you finish your dinner and you’ll find a refreshing breath enhancer. Hate the texture? Throw a couple sprigs in a blender to sip after each meal.

--Sugarless Gum

Always a good idea to carry some mints or sugarless gum for that quick spruce up before you meet the boss.

--Don’t cut that cheese

The stronger the cheese, the stinkier your breath can become. Think about blue cheese and Roquefort? They really get the party started in your mouth and it’s hard to make them leave!