Dr. Kelly Hilgers, helping your child understand cavities

At Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we know one word no child wants to hear when they visit the dentist is "Cavity!" That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected by Dr. Kelly Hilgers or Dr. Greg Mathieu so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by Drs. Kelly or Greg, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit our Goodyear office every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

We hope that helps you understand cavities a little better! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

September is National Gum Care Month! From Dr. Kelly Hilgers

Can you believe we're already in September? At Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we know that gingivitis - the early stage of periodontal disease - can be difficult to recognize. Many people don't recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums, as a precursor to gum disease. This month, a national campaign is under way to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word!

Dr. Kelly Hilgers and Dr. Greg Mathieu will tell you early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body, too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as your heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease.

These can include:

• 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 happen to notice any of these signs with your child, please schedule an appointment at our convenient Goodyear office by calling (623) 536–0079 as soon as possible. Dr. Kelly and team can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease in your child, while showing you how to improve gum care in your child's daily oral hygiene habits.

We hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Love your child's smile? Then we encourage you to tell the world about it on Google!

At Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we do everything we can to make your child’s experience fun and fearless. In addition to making your child’s experience fun, we offer the most advanced technology available in a state-of-the-art environment.

Whether your child has visited our Goodyear office once for a cleaning, or has been coming here for years, we encourage you to recommend us on our Google Local page!

After all, your positive reviews and referrals help Dr. Kelly Hilgers and Dr. Mathieu create more and more beautiful smiles!

Thanks in advance and we hope you have an amazing weekend!

August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month! From Dr. Hilgers

With the hot and humid Dog Days of Summer slowly coming to an end here in Arizona, it's time to start thinking about school. August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month for the two million kids who will be entering kindergarten come September. That said, our staff at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry suggest getting involved in storytime by reading your child books about kindergarten, such as The Night Before Kindergarten or First Day Jitters.

Parenting Magazine also suggests that moms and dads take their child for a walk by their or perhaps taking him or her inside for a quick tour to get them familiarized with the concept of kindergarten. Take a walk around the classroom or peek in the windows and talk about what will be going on once school starts. Also, think about adjusting your child's sleep schedule gradually to the school’s schedule.

At home, make learning fun for your child by teach him or her the names of colors, or shapes and taking them on interesting trips around Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Avondale or surrounding communities in Phoenix—to the library or grocery store, or to a museum or park—and talk with him or her about what he or she sees and what they think about the things going on around them.

Finally, make sure your little one visits Dr. Kelly Hilgers or Dr. Greg Mathieu before the first day of school. No one wants to have to miss school because of a toothache! Please give us a call at (623) 536 – 0079 to schedule your appointment!

Have a wonderful weekend!

National Smile Week at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry!

Dr. Kelly Hilgers and Dr. Greg Mathieu want you to smile! After all, it's National Smile Week, and an ideal time to remind our young and amazing patients to practice good oral hygiene to keep those teeth shining and happy! This includes brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding foods that can stain your teeth and visiting our convenient Goodyear office every six months or as recommended by Drs. Hilgers or Mathieu.

The American Dental Association, or ADA, recommends the following for good oral hygiene:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your child's toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.

• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Tooth decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove the sticky film on teeth called plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.

• Visit Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

Lastly, a great reason for your child to smile is this: smiling can actually help you live longer, according to a recent study! Have you visited our office lately for a cleaning or checkup? If not, give us a call at (623) 536 – 0079 to set up an appointment! Summer is a great time for a visit!

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!

10 summer traveling tips, from Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry

Hey, parents! Are you busy planning that perfect family vacation for the whole family this summer? Here at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we know that summer is the season when many families choose to hit the open road—or catch a flight—to make those memories together. That’s why we want to share this helpful video - courtesy of Channel 6 News in Philadelphia - about tips you can use when traveling with kids this summer.

Here are some more tips, courtesy of Cassandra James from Associated Content:

1. Make sure your kids are busy if you're going on a long car ride.

2. Don't ignore your kids during the trip - play guessing games, car number plate games, memory games, etc.

3. Choose the shortest way there

4. If you're flying, avoid layovers (long layovers can bore a child)

5. Don't forget to stop (take a break from driving every 2-3 hours)

6. Pre-board planes - give yourself and your kids a few extra minutes to get settled in

7. If possible, travel at night for your sanity's sake :)

8. Try to stop off at fun and interesting places.

9. Get to know your kids - start a conversation, ask about their friends, etc.

10. Make sure your kids are wearing comfortable clothes during your trip.

We encourage you to read the rest of Cassandra's article! Happy and safe travels!