Toothbrush Trivia, from Dr. Jordan Higham

It isn’t any big news to dentist Dr. Jordan Higham that toothbrushing dates back thousands of years. In fact, the first “toothbrush” was created around 3000BC! Ancient civilizations used a thin twig with a frayed edge to rub against their teeth for cleaning.

The first toothbrush with bristles – similar to today’s toothbrushes – was invented in 1498 in China. Brushes were made out of bone or bamboo with bristles made from the hairs on the back of a hog’s neck.

It wasn’t until 1938 that the first nylon bristle toothbrush was introduced, and people began practicing good oral hygiene.

Here are some other interesting facts about your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss:

• Most people are said to use blue toothbrushes over any other color
• If you don’t floss, you are only cleaning 65% of your tooth surfaces
• The first toothpaste was used in 500 BC in China and India
• On average, children smile about 400 times per day
• Replace your toothbrush every two months, when bristles appear worn, or after recovering from a cold or flu
• The first known toothpaste was used in 1780, Crest was introduced in the US in 1955 and Colgate in 1873

Make 2011 the year to improve your oral health

Many folks in Idaho Falls consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2011? Dr. Higham and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum, disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health, or visit this helpful article from our friends at the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). After all, your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

Happy New Year!

-Your friends at Just 4 KiDDS

Safety first this winter! From Dr. Higham

Winter is officially here, and with it comes not only the holiday season, but also sometimes unpredictable and inclement weather. This week, Dr. Higham and our team would like to share a few winter safety tips that we found on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website. These tips include everything from what to wear outdoors to tips for winter snow sports. Enjoy!

• Older babies and young children should generally be dressed in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions
• Several thin clothing layers will keep an infant or child dry and warm. Warm boots, gloves, mittens, and a hat are necessities!
• A cold air humidifier, saline nose drops, and petrolatum will help a child that suffers from winter nosebleeds.
• It is important for children to wash their hands frequently, and to use the bend of their elbow if they need to sneeze or cough to prevent the spread of colds and flu.
• Never ski or snowboard alone. Adults should supervise young children participating in winter sports.
• When sledding, it is preferable to separate young children from older children, and to avoid crowded areas.
• The AAP recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.

We hope that these tips help keep you and your loved ones stay safe and sound this winter season. Please give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment at Just 4 KiDDS.

Just 4 KiDDS celebrates Halloween!

Dr. Higham and our team would like to let everyone know that our Halloween Candy Buy Back was a huge success! A few radio stations attended the event, along with many of our patients. Overall, we were able to collect 291 pounds of candy that was donated to our troops overseas through Operation Gratitude. Thank you everyone for your participation and support!

Just 4 KiDDS also participated in "Boo at the Zoo" and "Trick or Treat Street." Both of these events offered kids a safe trick or treating environment.

Be sure to visit our Facebook page to view all of the photos from our Halloween events. Happy Thanksgiving!

What are patients saying about Dr. Higham and team?

Dr. Higham and his team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Just 4 KiDDS, serving Idaho Falls, ID and surrounding communities, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today! Happy Friday!

"Just 4 Kidds makes it so easy to take my children to the dentist. From the toys in the waiting room and the movie theatre to even the "children's lingo" that the dentist and assistants use around the kids, to say that I was impressed is an understatement. I recommend them for anyone with children.‎" ~Brigette

"I can't tell you how impressed I was. They were on time, fast, and my kids loved it. By far the coolest dental office I have ever been in. I used to hate taking the kids to the dentist. With 6 kids, I would be stuck for hours. The staff was great to work with and they even have a movie theater for the kids that are waiting. A+ in my book!‎" ~Jenifer

"I am very impressed with the Just 4 KiDDs dental office. I experienced very little time in the waiting room (my kids wished it was longer because of the fun toys to play with and movies to watch). Dr. Higham works very well with my children!! My daughter had to go back in for another visit a few days later because she needed a cavity filled and she was counting down the days because she was so excited to go back to the dentist. She has never ever done that before. The service was very fast and efficient and the staff was wonderful and very welcoming.‎" ~Micah

Did you attend the Free Family Film Festival this summer?

Thanks to everyone who attended the Free Family Film Festival this summer! Dr. Higham and our team sponsored the film festival, which included showings of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Monsters VS. Aliens, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. The summer movie series was a huge success! To check out event photos, be sure to "like" the Just 4 KiDDS Facebook page. If you did attend one of the movies, let us know what you thought!

Thank you,

-Dr. Higham and team

Join the team at Just 4 KiDDS this Saturday for Kung Fu Panda!

Dr. Higham and our team are sponsoring a Movies Under the Stars movie night this Saturday, that is being held at Melaleuca Field. The gates for Kung Fu Panda open at 7:30pm on Saturday, August 6th. The cost is $1.00 to get in. However, we were given several hundred free tickets as sponsors that any of our patients are welcome to if they stop by our office!

Stop by Just 4 KiDDS today to pick up your free ticket to Kung Fu Panda! Feel free to give us a call, or connect with us on our Facebook page if you have any questions regarding the movie showing. We look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday!

What's been happening at Just 4 Kidds?

Dr. Higham and our team at Just 4 Kidds had a busy February! February was National Children’s Dental Health Month, and in efforts to increase awareness, Dr. Higham and our staff visited preschools in Idaho Falls and surrounding areas. The preschool presentations instructed children to keep their teeth clean and healthy. We talked about good foods versus bad foods, the importance of brushing and flossing, as well as the power of fluoride. We also stressed the importance of regular visits to the dentist.

In addition, Just 4 kiDDS hosted its first annual National Children’s Dental Health Month coloring contest. First place winners were awarded a $50 gift card to Toys ‘R’ Us and a children’s Sonicare toothbrush. We appreciate the participation of all of our young artists. Keep up the great work!