Gum Disease Can Sneak Up On You

At Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we'll tell you it's easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you even knowing. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you or your child is having these symptoms, schedule an appointment right away by calling Dr. Kelly Hilgers and our team, serving Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Avondale and neighboring Phoenix. We can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give you back a healthy mouth!

We look forward to seeing you!

More happy patients at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry!

If you know us, you know we LOVE hearing from our patients – check out what some of them are saying about Dr. Kelly Hilgers and our staff!

"I love the personal care and interest they show to my children. They go out of their way to make them comfortable and make visiting the dentist an experience that they greatly look forward to. I like their personnel a lot. They are a staff that cares." ~ Joanne F.

"We LOVE Hilgers! I have two boys, 4 and 6 years old. We have been going to Hilgers for 4 years now. My husband went for his own dental checkup this past week, when he told my children he was going to the dentist, my oldest son replied "Oh man! I wish I could go to my dentist today! I love going to the dentist! When do I get to go back to my dentist?" My kids have never been afraid to be there, Dr. Kelly and her staff have created a wonderfully comfortable environment for the kids. I can't say enough good things about Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry."

"Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry is wonderful. We have been very impressed over the last 18 months of using Hilgers Pediatric dentistry for our four children. They all love to go, and come home asking when they can go again."‎ ~ Julie M.

"Dr. Kelly and her staff are so kid-friendly! My son really like most of what goes on there! The movies, getting to pick his own toothbrush, and flavor of toothpaste and flouride! she is also very knowledgeable!" ~ Julien C.

By the way, Facebook is a great place to tell us how we're doing, but we also encourage you to head to our Google Places page and leave a short review there. Your generous reviews help Dr. Kelly build more beautiful smiles here in Goodyear and surrounding communities!

Make 2011 the year to improve your child's oral health

Many folks in Goodyear and surrounding communities consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your or your child's health and happiness in 2011? Dr. Kelly Hilgers and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your child's oral health, or visit this helpful article from our friends at the Academy of General Dentistry. After all, your child's oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile!

When is thumb-sucking a cause for concern?

Lots of you have asked our staff at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry about whether it’s healthy for children to suck thumbs (or, less frequently, fingers). If you’ve got a thumb-sucker in the house, you are not alone. Research tells us that between 75% and 95% of infants suck their thumbs.

So, is this anything to worry about?

In most cases, no. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant, and can provide security and contentment as well as relaxation for your little one. It’s a habit that most children grow out of between the ages of 2 and 4.

However, if your child keeps sucking after he’s gotten his permanent teeth, it’s time for Dr. Kelly Hilgers and our team to take a closer look. If your child sucks his thumb aggressively, putting pressure on the inside of his mouth or his teeth, it could cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. If you’re worried, give us a call and Dr. Kelly or Dr. Greg Mathieu will help assess the situation, and provide tips for how to help your child break the habit.

Happy New Year everyone!