Dr. Kelly Hilgers wants to know: this summer, what's on your child's reading list?

Summer 2010 is only days away, and we've been thinking more and more about the importance of reading lately. Specifically, summer reading. Sure it’s easier for kids to go play with friends, sit back and watch television or participate in other activities, but Dr. Kelly Hilgers and team will tell you reading during the summer is a key step in your child being prepared for school.

Tell us: is your child reading a book this summer? If so, what's on his or hers reading list?

If you're out of ideas for summer reads, we encourage you to ask Drs. Kelly or Mathieu for suggestions, and our staff at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry would be happy to provide a few great titles. You may also ask a local librarian for some suggestions or check out various summer reading ideas that we found today.

Happy reading everybody!

Movie night with Dr. Kelly and team!

This Friday, June 11th, our entire team will be at Goodyear Ballpark for movie night! We will be watching The Tale of Despereaux.

Gates open at 7 pm, and the movie begins at 8.

We encourage you to bring blankets and pillows for lawn seating! Admission is FREE, and concessions will be available for purchase.

See you all there!

Ask Dr. Kelly: What should I do during an emergency?

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, Dr. Kelly Hilgers and team stand ready to help. Please keep our emergency number available and convenient. Here are some helpful answers to some recent patient questions. Have a great weekend everyone!


Q: What should I do if my child's baby tooth is knocked out?

A: Contact our office as soon as possible.

Q: What should I do if my child's permanent tooth is knocked out?

A: Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap -- use just water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can't put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Get to our office immediately. (Call the emergency number if it's after hours.) The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Q: What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

A: Contact Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you when you visit Drs. Kelly or Mathieu.

Q: What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

A: Go immediately to the emergency room of your local hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.

Q: What if my child has a toothache?

A: Call us and visit the office promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Q: Can dental injuries be prevented?

A: Of course! First, reduce oral injury in sports by wearing mouth guards. Second, always use a car seat for young children. Require seat belts for everyone else in the car. Third, child-proof your home to prevent falls, electrical injuries, and choking on small objects. Fourth, protect your child from unnecessary toothaches with regular dental visits to our office.

Dr. Kelly and Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, wishing you a safe, relaxing and memorable Memorial Day weekend!

The unofficial kickoff to summer—Memorial Day weekend—is a day away. It's a time for Americans to remember and honor all those who have died fighting for our country.

For many folks (and our patients) in Goodyear, Avondale and surrounding communities, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or office is sweet, sweet relief.

What about you?

Whether you're headed to a barbecue, a family camping trip, hitting Arizona's open roads or hanging out in your backyard this weekend, we want to know all about it!

How is Dr. Kelly Hilgers doing? Let us know!

At Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we do everything we can to make your child’s experience fun and fearless. Dr. Kelly Hilgers is a board certified specialist in children’s dentistry. She is an expert at the unique dental needs of infants and children and loves to give her patients a friendly and comfortable experience.

In addition to making your child’s experience fun, we offer the most advanced technology available in a state-of-the-art environment. Whether you and your child have visited Dr. Kelly for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there. Or, if you wish, you may review us on Yelp.

After all, reviews help Drs. Hilgers and Mathieu create more beautiful smiles for folks in Goodyear, Avondale and surrounding communities.

You may write a review here.

Thank you and enjoy your week! We look forward to reading your reviews!

Talkin' baby teeth with Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry

One question Dr. Kelly and our staff at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry hear all the time is “When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?”

You should begin regular cleanings even before your baby has teeth. After each breast feeding (or bottle-feeding) use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gum tissue. You may wrap the material around one finger to make it easier to remove any food bits from your baby’s mouth.

When your baby’s first tooth comes in, switch to a baby toothbrush. Look for special baby toothbrushes in your drugstore: they have just a few bristles and are very soft. There are even brushes shaped like finger puppets that fit over the tip of your pointer finger! All you need at this point is water (no toothpaste yet).

After a few more teeth appear, you may start using toothpaste, but you only need a tiny bit, and make sure it doesn’t contain fluoride for the first three years. From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing. That way, he or she will already have the good habit of spitting when you switch to fluoride toothpaste, which should never be swallowed.

If you have any questions about caring for your baby’s teeth, please contact Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Kelly wants to know: Is your playground safe?

Spring is here, and summer is on its way, and that means your kids will be spending lots of time outside. Playgrounds are everywhere from your backyard to the neighborhood park. It's important to know what safety features to look for before your child hangs out at the local park.

At Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we found some important safety tips on the American Academy of Pediatrics' website that we'd thought we'd share with you today. They include what to look for on a public playground and tips on ensuring your home swing set is functioning properly.

* Carefully supervise young children using playground equipment. Keep children from shoving, pushing, or fighting.

* The surface under playground equipment should be energy absorbent. Use safety - tested mats or loose fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches.

* Install the protective surface at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.

* Swing seats should be made of something soft, not wood or metal.

* Children should not twist swings, swing empty seats, or walk in front of moving swings.

* Put home playground equipment together correctly. It should sit on a level surface and be anchored firmly to the ground.

* Cap all screws and bolts. Check periodically for loose nuts and bolts and broken, rusty, or sharp parts.

* Install playground equipment at least 6 feet from fences or walls.

* Check for hot metal surfaces on equipment such as those on slides, which could cause burns.

* Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to playground equipment because children can strangle on them.

Here's to a happy and safe spring and summer, from Dr. Kelly Hilgers and our entire team at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry!