Cardiodontics: The Heart Mouth Connection with Hilgers Orthodontics

If you have been told you have periodontal disease (also known as gum disease or periodontitis), you're not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease! Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.

Gum disease is a threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth. So we at Hilgers Orthodontics want to let you know some interesting facts and ways to treat the disease.

What is Periodontal Disease?

"Perio" means around, and "dontal" refers to teeth. Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures around the teeth, including the gums and the bones that hold the teeth. The earliest stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis – an infection of the gums. In more severe forms of the disease, all of the tissues are involved, including the bone. Bacteria that live and reproduce on the teeth and gums cause periodontal disease.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Symptoms may include the following:
--redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth or using dental floss
--halitosis, or bad breath
--gum recession, resulting in apparent lengthening of teeth
--"pockets" between the teeth and gums indicating that the bone which holds the teeth in the mouth is dissolving
--loose teeth
Gum inflammation and bone destruction are largely painless. Hence, people may wrongly assume that painless bleeding after teeth cleaning is insignificant, although this may be a symptom of progressing periodontitis. If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned. Yet, many people think it's normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss.

Periodontal Disease Affects Your Health

Periodontal disease is a putrid, festering infection of the mouth. Bacteria and inflammatory particles can enter the bloodstream through ulcerated and bleeding gums and travel to the heart and other organs. In recent years, gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems. Researchers are studying possible connections between gum disease and:
--Heart disease: Gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease. Gum disease also is believed to worsen existing heart disease.
--Stroke: Gum disease may increase the risk of the type of stroke caused by blocked arteries
--Diabetes: People with diabetes and periodontal disease may be more likely to have trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetics with healthy gums.
--Premature births: A woman who has gum diseases during pregnancy may be more likely deliver her baby too early and the infant may be more likely to be of low birth weight.

Combating Periodontal Disease

--See your dentist! See your dentist every six months for a checkup! Regular professional cleanings and checkups make you feel good, look good, and could be a lifesaver!
--Brush and floss daily. Take your time and do it right!
--Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash. Daily use of an anti-bacterial mouthwash helps to disinfect the teeth and gums, and reduces the number of bacteria.
--Straighten your teeth. Crowded teeth are nearly impossible to keep clean. Orthodontic treatment can greatly reduce inflammation and periodontal disease.

--Hilgers Orthodontics

What’s so special about an Orthodontist? Dr. Hilgers Explains

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" At Hilgers Orthodontics we hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Hilgers started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Hilgers decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Is Invisalign® Really Customized for Each Patient? Hilgers Orthodontics

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.



Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Hilgers is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at (623) 935-3908.

Patient Reviews for Hilgers Orthodontics

Dr. Hilgers is known as a trusted, friendly, and experienced orthodontist serving the Goodyear, Arizona area. Take a look at what patients have said about him!



The staff at the office is outstanding. Dr. Hilgers along with his staff seem to genuinely care about their patients. So far, our experience with everyone involved has gone above and beyond our expectations. ~ Jennifer T.

I was very pleased with the office staff, and with Dr. Hilgers. I am new to the area and it was a pleasant and extremely friendly experience. ~ Bonnie K.

The whole visit is made to feel comfortable and easy. The staff is and Dr. Hilgers are all easy to talk to and make my child feel at ease. ~ Stacey W.

I love the sincere care given by Dr. Hilgers and the entire staff. It's like visiting family every time I am there. The service, technology and results are awesome, not to mention it being a fun experience. Thank you! ~ Catherine M.

Yet Another Reason Dr. Hilgers is Recognized by Doctor of Dentistry Magazine

Recently, Dr. Hilgers was featured in an article about advanced orthodontic practices. Education and a commitment to the community were but a few reasons he was selected.

Dr. Hilgers knows the value of a good education, he comes from a long line of orthodontists and dental professionals. So he not only attends continuing education and is a member of numerous study clubs and professional organizations, but he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Colorado. Once he completed the degree, he went to Yale for 2 years for residency. But he wasn't done there. He went on to earn a specialty certificate in orthodontics from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry after studying and receiving his Master of Science. When asked about his educational experience, Dr. Hilgers said, “I am very grateful to have spent time living and studying in both the eastern and western parts of the country. People do things differently on the two coasts, so experiencing that diversity during my education has allowed me to bring a much broader perspective to my practice.”

But Dr. Hilgers passions extend beyond education, “I love my work and can’t imagine doing anything else in the world, but my real passion is my family,” said Dr. Hilgers. He is married to Dr. Kelly Hilgers, a pediatric dentist who’s Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry practice is right down the street. They have a 2-year-old son named Alec. Both Doctors are very involved in the community, often donating through Toys for Tots, Future Farmers of America, American Cancer Society, West Valley Arts Council, and the Coyotes for Kids charity.

Dr. Hilgers Giving Back Throughout the Goodyear Community

My wife (Dr. Kelly Hilgers) and I are very involved in Goodyear community charities. We are particularly involved with children's causes and local non-profits. We donated to the Insight.com bowl and the Fiesta Bowl. We also have worked with the Coyotes (Hockey NHL) Children charity as well.

We attended and donated to the West Valley Arts Council Gala and American Cancer Society Jewel Ball. Check out our picture with Mayor Cavanaugh and his wife as well as Dr. Guyette and his wife. We are very active in our community and understand the importance of giving back to make the world a better place.

--Dr. Hilgers

Hilgers Orthodontics Is Dedicated To The Latest In Technology

At Hilgers Orthodontics, we are committed to providing the most up-to-date orthodontic treatments for our Goodyear patients. That is one reason that we were featured in the May issue of the Doctor of Dentistry Magazine.

The orthodontic and dental fields constantly make great advances. It takes an expert like Dr. Hilgers to be able to stay on top of the latest discoveries and determine how to best apply them. One way that we accomplish such a great feat is through digital technology. Not only do digital x-rays provide a low dose of radiation and are better for the environment, but Dr. Hilgers gains instant access to their results. With High-Def televisions throughout the office, clear and concise pictures of your orthodontic process are readily available. If your treatment requires lab work, we have an adjoining full-service lab attached to our practice. Knowing how important and unique this is, we provide our lab services to other dental professionals in the community.

We offer a host of products ranging from Damon System braces, to Clarity, Micro Twin, and Invisalign. Because Dr. Hilgers does not contract with any of these providers, his only vested interest is to find the best treatment plan to fit your individual needs.

As if this weren't enough, state-of-the-art patient management systems provide text message or email appointment reminders, and a custom dashboard for patients to watch their progress.

We would love to show you the great things our practice has to offer, so stop by today and see for yourself why Hilgers Orthodontics is a great place to be.