Fun facts with Dr. Guyer and Main Street Orthodontics!

At Main Street Orthodontics, we know our patients love fun facts - LOVE THEM. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team thought you would enjoy. Have a great rest of Memorial Day weekend!

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

At Main Street Orthodontics, easy access to your account information!

Access to your account any time you wish sounds pretty great, doesn't it? At Main Street Orthodontics, our wonderful patients may access their accounts 24/7, thanks to a helpful tool called OrthoSesame. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started, and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Share your experience at Main Street Orthodontics with the world!

Dr. Ed Guyer has been practicing orthodontics in Michigan for over 20 years. 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!

We cater to people, not teeth! Our practice works hard to make your experience as comfortable, convenient, and rewarding as possible.

Whether you have visited Main Street Orthodontics for weeks or months, we'd love to hear your feedback about Dr. Guyer and our team. Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us on our Google Local page. It only takes a moment!

You may write a review here.

Thank you and have a great weekend! We really look forward to reading your reviews!

Dr. Guyer at the 2010 AAO Annual Session!

If you know Dr. Ed Guyer, you know things he's very passionate about include continuing education and new technology. One of the ways we continue to improve at Main Street Orthodontics is by attending important seminars and conferences. Dr. Guyer attended one of those very important conferences - the AAO Annual Session - this past weekend in Washington D.C.

The AAO Annual Session is an always-educational event that is also one of the largest orthodontic conventions in the world. It's also a time for Dr. Guyer to consult with dental experts and orthodontists from around the country and stay up-to-date on all the latest technologies and orthodontic treatment options available. This, of course, allows our team at Main Street Orthodontics to give you, our phenomenal patients, the best treatment experience possible.

In addition to being a proud member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Guyer is a member of the American Dental Association, World Federation of Orthodontists and the Michigan Damon System Study Club. Dr. Guyer has also been the president of the Lakeland Valley Dental Association, published in journals such as the Angle Orthodontist and lectures regularly on the Damon® System, which my office has utilized to become one of the Midwest’s most experienced and advanced orthodontic practices.

Isn't it comforting to know you have a complete dental expert in Dr. Guyer perfecting your smile?

"Hey, Dr. Guyer! Which toothbrush should my kid use?"

At Main Street Orthodontics, we'll always tell you that brushing your teeth - even during orthodontic treatment - is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But the question remains: which type of toothbrush should your child use? When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for children's smaller hands and mouths. Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or as soon as bristles begin fraying.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't really as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, make sure to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give us a call at either our Niles or St. Joseph location, and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

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

Hey, Dr. Guyer: What, exactly, is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Dr. Guyer calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and, believe it or not, even your appearance.

The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw. If overcrowding is causing the problem, Niles and St. Joseph orthodontist Dr. Guyer may need to remove one or more teeth as part of treatment.

At Main Street Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have. Have a terrific weekend, patients!