Talking retainers with Dr. Ed Guyer

If you recently completed treatment with Dr. Guyer, our professional team at Main Street Orthodontics would like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Guyer will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized.

Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes, Dr. Guyer says. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

If you have additional questions about retainers or your treatment here at Main Street Orthodontics, please give us a call at (269) 684-2355. Our staff would love to hear from you!

Wishing you a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day, from Main Street Orthodontics

Dr. Guyer and team hope you remembered to wear green on your way out this morning! Whether Irish or not, millions of people in the U.S. and around the world celebrate St. Patrick's Day with toasts, parades and "the wearing of the green." Here are some fun facts about St. Patty’s Day our team at Main Street Orthodontics thought you might enjoy:

• St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history.

• The name “leprechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which simply means “shoemaker.”

• Some American towns have Irish names. They include: Shamrock Lakes, Indiana; Shamrock, Oklahoma; Shamrock, Texas; Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio and Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia.

• Despite what you may have heard, St. Patrick never banished snakes from Ireland. In fact, no snakes exist or ever existed in Ireland. Ireland is surrounded by icy ocean waters, much too cold to allow snakes to migrate from Britain or anywhere else.

• St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in Boston, in 1737. Approximately 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

Burning Invisalign® questions, with Dr. Ed Guyer

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Dr. Ed Guyer and our professional team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment at Main Street Orthodontics.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Dr. Guyer will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

What are patients saying about Main Street Orthodontics?

Main Street Orthodontics deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment here in Niles and St. Joseph. We make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say!

"He is very friendly and accessible for any question I may have especially since I am a novice." ~ Betty K.

"The way Dr. Guyer takes his time. Plus he does a good job." ~ Greg D.

"Very up-to-date office. Friendly doctor and staff." ~ Allison C.

"Dr. Guyer seems to care about his patients.Also he takes time to answer any questions that I have." ~ Anthoney W.

Happy Washington's birthday, from Main Street Orthodontics!

Everyone knows George Washington was the first President of the United States and one of our country's founding fathers. But in honor of Washington birthday, we at Main Street Orthodontics thought we'd share a few little-known facts about the man who was known for never telling a lie.

• Washington is the only President inaugurated in 2 cities (New York and Philadelphia)
• Toothaches bothered Washington for years. When he was 57, he had all his teeth pulled. From then on, he wore ivory false teeth. At the time of his inauguration, George Washington had only one tooth.
• Five states were added to the Union during Washington's presidency - North Carolina (1789), Rhode Island (1790), Vermont (1791), Kentucky (1792) and Tennessee (1796).
• At six feet, two inches tall, and 200 pounds, Washington was one of our biggest presidents.
• There were only 13 stars on the United States flag when Washington became President in 1789.

The great social media adventure, with Main Street Orthodontics

Isn’t social media great? The team at Main Street Orthodontics love communicating with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our Facebook fan page. For social media to work, conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social media is hugely popular these days, it is unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Guyer and team are taking a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our "in-the-know" patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share? Send us your thoughts or give us a call!

Tackling sports injuries with Dr. Guyer

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest fear is that their child will get hurt while playing organized sports. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard during organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why Main Street Orthodontics is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards.

Did you know mouth guards are one of the least expensive pieces of protective equipment available? Over-the-counter versions may cost as little as $5, although custom-fit mouth guards offer greater protection. Dr. Guyer can recommend the best mouth guard for you. In addition, the AAO has four quick tips for keeping kids safe during sport activities.

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eyewear
• 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. Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Main Street Orthodontics.