The dog days of summer are almost upon us, and what better time for us to ask our patients’ summer plans!

Whether you’re going camping, hitting America’s great open roads, visiting our nation’s capitol, or just staying in town and hanging out, we want to know how you’re all going to spending your summer! Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with us below or on our Facebook page!

We look forward to reading all about your summer adventures!

Valentine’s Day was yesterday, and there is a lot of candy making the rounds this week. It’s once again time to remind all our patients to be extra careful when choosing those candies and treats!

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces if you’re wearing them! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel.

We recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Those who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, as well as at the gum line.

All of us at Hilgers Orthodontics hope you had a great Valentine’s Day!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and Dr. Mike Hilgers and team thought we’d promote good oral hygiene among our patients with a few tips and tricks, courtesy of the American Dental Association.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.

• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and insert it between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.

• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as cheese, fruits and vegetables and avoid crunchy, sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, be sure to brush after doing so.

• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these drinks create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. If you’re going to drink one of these beverages, don’t sip on it throughout the day. Rather, drink it and then brush your teeth.

• Regular dental visits: in addition to seeing our team at Hilgers Orthodontics during your orthodontic treatment, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months.

National Dental Health Month aims to increase awareness about the importance of our patients' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Hilgers Orthodontics, please feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Hilgers Orthodontics is always family friendly! We treat adults, teens, and children - no matter what your age, we believe you deserve a great smile. Our warm, welcoming staff is touted for their skill and hospitality, and proudly serve Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Avondale and Buckeye.

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation with Dr. Mike Hilgers or your family has been visiting our Goodyear office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You may write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google Places page!

Thanks so much in advance—your generous reviews help us build more beautiful smiles!

Dr. Mike and our entire team at Hilgers Orthodontics are family-friendly! We proudly treat adults, teens, and children - no matter what your age, we believe you deserve a great smile.

And speaking of smiles, in a poll conducted last spring by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there chose teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Call us to schedule your orthodontic consultation! (623) 935-3908.

Have a great weekend!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and a great time to remind our patients to be careful when they bite into their treats this month. Remember, caramels, taffy, nuts, bubble gum, popcorn kernels and suckers are some of the foods you should be avoiding this Halloween Season! Indulging in these foods can break your braces and lengthen your treatment time!

Of course, Halloween doesn’t have to be completely treat-less. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have provided a helpful list of tips and braces-friendly recipes for the Halloween Season.

Enjoy and have a great week!

By the way, during the month of October, Hilgers Orthodontics is going "PINK." Dr. Hilgers will donate $1 to the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation for every patient who chooses to wear all pink ties on their braces!

At Hilgers Orthodontics, we know your smile is important. And we know you want to keep it sparkling and looking its very best during your orthodontic treatment. Recently, we came across an article that suggests at least 20 things can ruin that perfect smile you have.

These include:

- Sports drinks
- Bottled water
- Tobacco
- Wine
- Soft drinks
- Citrus and acidic foods

Dr. Michael Hilgers and our team encourage you to read the rest of the article and ask us here on our blog or during your next visit to our convenient Goodyear office. For more tips or for general questions about your ongoing dental treatment, we invite you to ask us during your next visit! We also invite you to ask us on Facebook!

At Hilgers Orthodontics, we know a lot of people enjoy a hot-brewed coffee or tea in the morning, followed by a cola (or more coffee) in the afternoon. But what many don’t know is that both coffee and tea are especially tough on your teeth – especially during orthodontic treatment – because tannic acid (the substance that makes the dark color) etches into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, and can stain your pearly whites brown.

So, if you can't give up that morning cup o’joe, what can you do? Dr. Hilgers and team suggest rinsing with a glass of water after every cup. If you enjoy iced coffee or tea, drink your beverage with a straw so that tannins don’t make contact with your front upper and lower teeth. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, we encourage you to swish and swallow some water at the end of each meal. Water, after all, helps neutralize acids left in your mouth after eating and also reduces cavity-causing bacteria.

And if you’re one of those folks who just needs their morning coffee or tea, Dr. Hilgers and our team suggest using a colored ligature instead of a clear or white one. If all else fails, ask us to use tie wires instead of elastic ligatures as tie wires do not stain at all.

We hope this helps! Let us know if you have any questions below or ask us on Facebook!

We hope you had a great weekend! At Hilgers Orthodontics, we know true orthodontic emergencies are never convenient nor timely. If you are a patient of record, Dr. Michael Hilgers and our team are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you after hours or over the weekend. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem. If you have a orthodontic emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to contact Dr. Hilgers and team.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you visit our office. We proudly serve patients from Goodyear, Litchfield Park or nearby communities in the West Valley.

We hope you’re all enjoying your summer.

Dr. Mike Hilgers and our team at Hilgers Orthodontics are happy to announce our "Traveling Hilgers T-shirt" summer contest that just started! We want to see where our patients are wearing their Hilgers t-shirt this summer! Whether they are on vacation or traveling around Arizona our patients need to have a picture taken this summer with their Hilgers t-shirt on and send it to us for a chance to win a Flip Video camera. Entries can be brought it at an appointment, sent to us, posted on our Facebook page or emailed to info@hilgersorthodontics.com.

Contest ends July 28th! Let's see those photos!

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Hilgers Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call at our Goodyear, AZ office if you have any questions about getting started!

By now, you’re probably familiar with our blog process: Each week, Dr. Mike Hilgers and our team write about important orthodontic topics and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic treatments Dr. Mike offers. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing and exciting field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Mike for a while now? Here’s your chance! Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

Give us your best shot, and Dr. Mike will try to answer any question you may have!

It may still be a bit chilly out there, but the fact remains: we’re only a month away from spring! Dr. Mike Hilgers and our team at Hilgers Orthodontics want to know: What are you doing in February? What have you accomplished so far this year? Are you keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution? Got any exciting spring break plans?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way, post them on Facebook or call our Goodyear office and ask how! Have a great week!

Here at Hilgers Orthodontics, Dr. Mike and our staff knowall too well the rumors going around – mostly among kids – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing! From Dr. Mike & team

At Hilgers Orthodontics, we know one word nobody wants to hear when they visit their dentist is Cavity! Yes, 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 so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? Well, 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 your general dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities while you’re wearing braces:

· Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste 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 and braces where your toothbrush can’t reach

· Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat or drink

· Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Michael Hilgers

We hope that helps! Give us a call to learn more about keeping your braces and oral health in tip-top shape! Happy New Year!

The year is almost over, so our staff at Hilgers Orthodontics thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Goodyear and surrounding communites.

See you all in 2011!

We hope most of you got the day off and are taking good advantage of it! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the veterans and those currently on active duty who have put their lives on the line for the freedoms we all enjoy.

In celebration of Veteran’s Day, Dr. Michael Hilgers and our team at Goodyear's Hilgers Orthodontics would like to share a few fun facts about our flag, our national holiday, and our country’s history!

-Veteran's Day, a day that was originally called Armistice Day, is a time to thank and honor the men and women who have served in our military.

- President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the official legislation for Veteran's Day on June 1, 1954, changing the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day

-There are 23.2 million veterans in the U.S.

-The flag was first approved by Congress on June 14, 1777

-Each of the flag’s colors signify different American values - red is for valor and zeal, white is for hope, purity, and cleanliness of life, and blue is for heaven, loyalty, sincerity, justice, and truth

-Veteran's Day is often confused with Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a time for remembering and honoring the men and women who died while serving our country, or as a result of injuries that incurred in battle. Veteran's Day honors and gives thanks to all veterans who served in our military.

-There are five states with over 1 million veterans in their population – California, Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania.

Thanks again to our veterans! We are so thankful for all who have and are currently serving in the U.S. and abroad.

Dr. Michael Hilgers and our staff, as well as our friends at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry, are proud sponsors of AYSO 225 Soccer Fest 2010, coming on December 11th-12th at Friendship Park in Avondale. The younger divisions will play one game in a tournament style format all day on Saturday. Upper Divisions will have a game on Saturday with a possibility of playing for a Championship on Sunday.

The event will have a festival atmosphere with food, games, vendors, jumpers and many other activities to keep your family entertained.

Ask us for info here or on our Facebook page!

Dr. Mike Hilgers and our entire staff at Hilgers Orthodontics would like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting Travis Murphy's family on Saturday morning. We lost one of Arizona's finest and we need to continue to support his family! Saturday's event was a wonderful representation of our community's support!

Officer Travis P. Murphy was shot and killed when he confronted a suspect who had fled the scene of a shots fired call on May 26th. Officer Murphy had served with the Phoenix Police Department for four and a half years. He is survived by his wife, 2-year-old daughter, and 2-week-old son.

Hilgers Orthodontics is always family friendly! We treat adults, teens, and children - no matter what your age, we believe you deserve a great smile. Our warm, welcoming staff is touted for their skill and hospitality.

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation with Dr. Mike Hilgers or your family has been visiting our Goodyear office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Facebook page or on our Google listing!

Happy Friday!

It's late August, which means most kids around Goodyear and Phoenix have started classes (or will soon). Dr. Michael Hilgers and our staff thought this might be a good time to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling your appointments in advance this fall. With school, clubs, sports and family/social functions to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit Dr. Mike's office this fall. In order to accommodate all of our patients' busy schedules, it is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

As always, please remember to give us advanced notice if you're unable to make your regularly-scheduled appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. Feel free to give us a call at (623) 935-3908 if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment with Dr. Mike.

Have a great weekend everybody - we look forward to seeing you this fall!

Dr. Michael Hilgers and our friends at Hilgers Pediatric Dentistry continue to support the American Cancer Society, which for more than 60 years has led the way in cancer research while educating the public about treatment and prevention. Cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death of Americans under age 85.

Through research funding, patient services, and advocacy, the American Cancer Society has already made great progress. Cancer occurrence and death rates for most cancers are on the decline, and more than 10 million cancer survivors are alive today.

Our entire staff at Hilgers Orthodontics encourage you to donate this worthy organization (above are Dr. Michael Hilgers and spouse Dr. Kelly Hilgers at the 2009 Jewel Ball).

Both Dr. Mike and Dr. Kelly are very involved in Goodyear community charities, and are particularly involved with children's causes and local non-profits. We donated to the Insight.com bowl and the Fiesta Bowl and have also worked with the Phoenix Coyotes Children charity as well. We are very active in our community and understand the importance of giving back to make the world a better place.

Have a great weekend!

What are some of our patients saying about Dr. Mike Hilgers and staff lately? Just see below! We are thrilled to be working with so many fantastic patients - have a great weekend!

"Everyone that we have talked to in the office has been extremely nice. It is making what could be an extremely scary experience a fun and exciting experience for both of my kids!" ~ Lance Y.

"They are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They answered all our questions and made my daughter even more excited about getting braces. The environment is very welcoming. =)" ~ Heather T.

"Dr. Hilgers is extremely friendly and knowledgable." ~ Timmy P.

"Very impressed by the way they treat their patients. My grandson is a patient there and I have taken him to a couple of appointments and was very impressed on how things are done there. So that's what prompt me to take Blyss there." ~ Patricia A.

As summer quickly closes in, our staff at Hilgers Orthodontics strive to continue writing about important topics related to braces and your treatment with Goodyear orthodontist Dr. Mike Hilgers.

To help us continue blogging through the course of the long, hot Arizona summer, however, we'd like to get your opinion: What would you like us to focus on our blog over the next few months? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Mike or team for a while and just haven't found the right opportunity/time? Give us your ideas by posting here or on our Facebook page!

We hope you have a great week!

You might not be aware that it's Children's Book Week! Since 1919, Children's Book Week has been celebrated nationally in schools, libraries and bookstores to encourage a love of books.

Are you looking for a great book to read this summer while on vacation? Then check out the Children’s Book Council’s website, which offers some great reads!

In fact, here are five kids’ books that you'll fall in love with as well. The great thing? Our local library in Goodyear probably has a copy! Grab a book and enjoy this weekend, and tell us all about it when you come in for your next appointment with Dr. Mike!

Whether you have visited Hilgers Orthodontics for a week or for years, we'd love to hear your feedback about your experience with Dr. Mike and team. Because Hilgers Orthodontics has plenty of online listings where you write your thoughts and share them with the world, we'd want to encourage you to write a review of us. It only takes a moment of your time!

You may write a review here, and we hope to post some soon!

Thank you and have a great weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

By now, you’re probably familiar with our blog process: Each week, Dr. Mike Hilgers and our team write about important orthodontic topics and your well-being, including innovative orthodontic treatments Dr. Mike offers. This week, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our wonderful patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing and exciting field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Dr. Mike for a while now? Here’s your chance! Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

Give us your best shot, and Dr. Mike will try to answer any question you may have!

Hilgers Orthodontics, serving Goodyear and surrounding communities, deliver the highest quality orthodontic care in a personalized environment. Dr. Mike Hilgers and team make orthodontic treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what our patients have to say! Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

"We are new patients and I already would not be able to pick just one thing ... everything so far has been an amazing experience." ~ Michael N.

"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.

"Staff is very nice and personable. Very willing to help you to accomplish whatever you need done! The office is very patient friendly." ~ Christy G.

"Dr. Hilgers is very professional yet he makes the kids feel very comfortable." ~ Leanne D.

"Dr. Hilgers is extremely friendly and knowledgeable." ~ Timmy P.

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that Dr. Mike and our team at Hilgers Orthodontics thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

At Hilgers Orthodontics, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative orthodontic treatments we offer, our high-tech web site or our Facebook fan page. We love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, however, conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks hugely popular these days, we know they're unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Mike Hilgers and our dedicated staff take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Send us your thoughts or give us a call!