Upcoming Contests at Hilgers Orthodontics

We at Hilgers Orthodontics have two exciting new opportunities for your hard earned tokens!

-Our Fall raffle this year is for a brand new iPod Nano. 15 tokens earns one raffle ticket, and we will be selecting a winner on December 22nd!

-80 tokens will get you an extra clear retainer, at $200 value! It is always a good idea to have a back up retainer.

For all the details, head over to our Facebook Fan Page, or stop by our office.

Good luck to everyone,

--Dr. Hilgers

Bottled Water May Be Behind Tooth Troubles

We at Hilgers Orthodontics want you to know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

As of 2005, bottled water is second only to soft drinks as the most popular drink in the United States, beating out milk, juice, and – more significantly – tap water. Between 2001 and 2006, the amount of bottled water sold in the U.S. rose an average of 10% per year. And many dental health specialists point to bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. The benefits of fluoride were noticed in the early part of the twentieth century, when researchers found communities with low levels of tooth decay. It turned out that these towns had measurable levels (around 1 part per million) of fluoride in their drinking water.

Beginning in the 1940s, communities have fluoridated their water supplies, and dentists have seen a significant decline in cavities ever since. The American Dental Association endorses both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay. Between tap water and toothpaste, most of us get sufficient amounts of fluoride.

But if your family avoids fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health.

If bottled water is your water of choice, check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the FDA allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your choppers in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting us at Hilgers Orthodontics regularly.

Frequently Asked Orthodontic Questions...Answered!

We get a lot of questions about oral health and treatment, so we wanted to answer a few for everyone to see!

“How will keeping my smile healthy keep me healthy as a whole?”

Research has shown that the same bacteria that are found in gum disease and periodontitis are found in heart disease. By eliminating these bacteria in the mouth you are decreasing your risk for heart disease.

“I have always been afraid of having work done to my teeth, what do you do to ease patients’ fears?”
We have a warm fun Mardi Gras atmosphere at Hilgers Orthodontics. Most patients never feel like they are in an orthodontic office. The are enjoying the full arcade, HD TV's and internet access that we provide them. Our staff are always warm and friendly which will help put you at ease.

“I don’t see a list of insurance companies on your website, so what is the best way I can find out if you work with my insurance provider?”
Please call our office at 623-935-3908 for assistance with your insurance. Insurances can be very complicated and we have staff here to help you with all of your insurance needs.

Do you have other questions? Ask them in the comments section!

A Sour Smile is not a Happy Smile From Hilgers Orthodontics

It’s no secret that sweet, sugary candies and drinks have an adverse effect of the health of your smile, but what about sour or tart candies? We at Hilgers Orthodontics thought you might want to know what kind of an effect does eating or drinking something sour have on my smile?

Recent research from the Minnesota Dental Association suggests that the amount of acid in sour candies is enough to eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Here are a few souring facts about sour candies, and some helpful tips on how to protect your teeth from Hilgers Orthodontics (even if you cannot give up sour candies all together).

Facts

-Sour candies can be very acidic, and may actually burn the gums and cheeks, while weakening and wearing down the enamel on your teeth. (Check the acid levels in some of your favorite candies)

-It can take almost 20 minutes for the acid in sour candies to become neutral. Holding the acid in your mouth by sucking on sour hard candies or chewing sour gummies can keep the acid active for more than 20 minutes.

-The acid in sour candies can cause cavities and severe tooth decay.

Protect your teeth

-Limit the amount of sour candies that you eat on a daily basis, and if you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

-After eating sour candies, rinse your mouth out with water, drink milk, or eat a couple slices of cheese. This will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

-If tooth erosion has already begun, ask your dentist about ways you can help reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps! From Hilgers Orthodontics.