Your child and regular checkups, from Dr. Higham

Is your child brushing his or her teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s terrific! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for your child to visit Just 4 kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day.

If your child will be visiting Dr. Higham for the first time, it’s important to bring them in after their first tooth comes through, and no later than their first birthday. After all, regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. During the appointment, Dr. Higham can:


• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth

During an oral exam, Dr. Higham will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not visited Just 4 kiDDS in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment by calling 208-529-2199!

Ask Dr. Higham: Which toothbrush (and toothpaste) should my child use?

At Just 4 kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Higham and our team will tell you that brushing your child's 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 at 208-529-2199 and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

Have a great weekend everyone!

What puts you at ease at Just 4 kiDDS?

Our staff at Just 4 kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry understand not every child is always thrilled to see their dentist. But Dr. Higham and our dedicated team strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about Just 4 kiDDS that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Higham himself?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call at 208-529-2199.

Dr. Higham, helping ease kids' fear of the dentist

Let's face it, many children fear the dentist. Our team at Just 4 kiDDS 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. Higham is a huge reason to take your child to a pediatric dentist instead of a regular dentist.

Our staff at Just 4 kiDDS excels at making children feel comfortable visiting the dentist, and Dr. Higham specializes in pediatric dentistry, making him uniquely able to work with children from one-year-old to 18-years-old. In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit!