Is your child a mouth breather?

Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose may lead to trouble for our youngsters, according to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of the journal General Dentistry.

Kids who typically breathe through their mouth - most often children who suffer from allergies - experience problems getting enough oxygen into their blood, a condition that affects their weight, size and sleep, which often affects their performance in classroom and daily life.

The author of the study, Dr. Yosh Jefferson, also notes that if left untreated, mouth breathing can cause dental and facial abnormalities. Did you know that mouth breathing is a treatable condition? Doing so, though, requires early diagnosis and treatment. Since Drs. Kelly and Mathieu see their patients every six months, they may be in a position to identify the symptoms of mouth breathing.

If you suspect your child is a chronic mouth breather, please give our team at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry a call at (623) 536–0079.

For more on mouth breathing, we encourage you to read the rest of the Dr. Jefferson's article. For more on children's dental health, go to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

Ask Dr. Kelly: Which toothbrush and toothpaste should my child use?

Here at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, our team will tell you that brushing your teeth 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 mouths and hands. Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying or frayed - frayed bristles have the ability to harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, avoid using fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need 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 and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

Have a terrific weekend!!

Dr. Kelly Hilgers, helping you save face this spring

April, also known as National Facial Protection Month, is upon us, and for Dr. Kelly and our team at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, that only means one thing: it’s once again time to remind our dear patients to protect their faces and pearly whites.

According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year. To our staff, that's simply unacceptable. By simply wearing a properly fitted mouth guard or other form of protection, kids can greatly reduce your chances of traumatic facial injuries.

Here are a few ways to ensure your child's mouth safety this spring:

1. Make sure your child wears a mouth guard for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Remind him or her to wear a helmet
3. ...and protective eyewear
4. Wearing a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin will help
5. Make sure your child is alert, even as a spectator

We hope these tips are helpful are helpful. Dr. Kelly will tell you protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry. Stay safe and have fun!

Easing fears of the dentist in children, from Dr. Kelly Hilgers

Some children have fear when it comes to visiting the dentist. Our team at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry found a great article on how to help children overcome fears of the dentist, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Making your child feel comfortable when they visit Dr. Kelly Hilgers is a huge reason to take your child to a Pediatric Dentist instead of a regular dentist. Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry excels at making children feel comfortable visiting the dentist. In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit! Schedule an appointment by calling (623) 536–0079, and we'll see you soon!

You, your child and cavities, from Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry

Yes, we've blogged about cavities and stressed the need to see the dentist in our earlier posts. But, our team at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry read an interesting article this morning pertaining to cavities and how bacteria spreads from parents to children, and thought we'd share the piece with you, our valued patients.

According to the MSNBC article, Streptococcus mutans, or MS, is a bacterium that can pass from person to person through the transfer of saliva, and is the main culprit. Bacteria has been known to spread through blowing on babies' foods, sharing household utensils and even kissing your little one. In fact, a 2008 pediatric dentistry study showed “strong evidence demonstrated that mothers are a primary source of MS colonization of their children; a few investigations showed other potential sources … notably fathers.”

Our staff knows tooth decay is caused by a combination of factors, including the transfer of infectious saliva, genetics, oral hygiene, and feeding practices, such as letting your baby constantly suck on a sippy cup full of juice or milk or other sugar-laden liquids.

Dr. Kelly Hilgers would like for you to read the article and learn a bit more about the transmission of bacteria and how it might impact your child. If you have any questions about bacteria or your treatment here at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, please feel free to give us a call at (623) 536–0079!

What helps you relax at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry?

Dr. Kelly is well-aware that not everyone is always thrilled to visit the dentist. But at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each of your visits.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly professional staff? Perhaps it's Dr. Kelly or Dr. Greg?

Let us know by posting here or on our Google Local page!

Kids and cavities, from Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry

Last week, you may remember Dr. Kelly Hilgers and team blogging about the importance of your child visiting us regularly. Well, we recently read an interesting article in the New York Times pertaining to kids and cavities. Under a new Massachusetts law, kids in day care there are now required to brush their teeth or have them brushed by a staffer. The article also points out that cavities are much more prevalent among young children today than they were a decade ago. The law was enacted partly because studies have shown one-third of children in the U.S. have cavities—that's right, multiple—by age three to five. In fact, cavities are much more prevalent among young children today than they were a decade ago.

Cavities, of course, can lead to severe tooth pain, eating problems and tooth loss, among other problems, and that's why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says it's vital for children to visit a dentist by their first birthday. Has your little one visited Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry yet? If your child is one or nearing his or her first birthday, it may be time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kelly or Dr. Mathieu.