February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month!

Each February, Dr. Kelly Hilgers and our team focus on the preventive oral care of America's children as part of National Children's Dental Health Month.

Since 1941, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

Tooth decay in kids is a growing problem in the United States, posing very serious health risks. Decay happens to be the most chronic disease affecting American children. A child's overall health is closely linked to his or her oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a jump start in maintaining a lifetime of good oral health.

Dr. Kelly and team remind you to developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry during the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment at our convenient Goodyear, AZ office!

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!

Flossing with Dr. Kelly Hilgers!

We hope you and your child are not a part of the 51 percent of Americans who don’t floss every day. And we definitely hope you're not part of the 10 percent who never floss at all. Dr. Kelly Hilgers and our staff at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry will always tell you that proper flossing is just as important for your dental health as brushing regularly. Flossing, you see, cleans food and plaque that build up between teeth and below the gumline, key areas that brushing simply cannot reach.

Flossing 3-to-5 minutes each day is recommended, but even 60 seconds of flossing has a great benefit over not flossing at all. Also, make sure to always brush your teeth after you floss, and to rinse with water or mouthwash. When you begin flossing you may experience gum pain or bleeding, but with daily flossing and brushing this should stop within a week or so.

Lastly, has it been at least six months since your child's last checkup With Dr. Kelly or Dr. Greg? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to schedule an appointment by calling (623) 536–0079! Summer makes for a great time to visit a dentist!

We hope you're enjoying your summer! Be sure to post your summer photos on our Facebook wall!