Tackling kids' sport safety with Dr. Higham

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when participating in organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why Just 4 KiDDS is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Higham will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this spring. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Higham is trying to achieve.

Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Just 4 KiDDS.

Dr. Higham, protecting your child from cavities this Halloween

With Halloween only two weeks away, Dr. Higham knows that there will soon be many tricks and treats! While this festive holiday is full of costumes and fun activities, it can also be a harmful time for the teeth of our Idaho Falls, ID young trick-or-treaters.

With all of the sugary, sticky, and chewy treats that are often shared with trick-or-treaters, it is important to follow these simple tips to prevent cavities this Halloween:





• 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 where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

For more information on cavities and your oral health, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Higham at your next appointment.

Ask Dr. Higham: Is sedation dentistry right for my child?

While Dr. Higham strives to offer a comfortable experience for all our patients, we realize that fear or anxiety while visiting the dentist can affect a lot of kids anyway. For patients who need extra comfort and relaxation during their dental visit, we are pleased to offer sedation dentistry.

Do you feel nervous or stressed about your upcoming dental treatment? Well you’re not alone; in fact, almost 30 percent of the population experiences "dental phobia" when faced with visiting the dentist!

The reasons for patients' fear of the dentist can be numerous, but are usually due to a traumatic experience during their childhood. This overwhelming anxiety can cause one to avoid modern dental care, resulting in poor oral hygiene and possible mouth-related issues such as gum disease.

Your child can benefit from sedation dentistry if he or she experiences one or more of the following:

* High fear of dental care
* Complex dental problems
* Traumatic dental experiences
* Fear of needles and shots
* Trouble getting numb
* Sensitive teeth

If your child suffers from dental phobia, sedation dentistry may be the answer. Please give us a call for more info about sedation dentistry, and we'll be more than happy to answer your questions.

Fluoride and your child, from Dr. Higham

Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong. However, it is important to be aware of your child’s potential sources of fluoride to prevent excessive fluoride ingestion by preschool-aged children. This can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a discoloration of a child's permanent teeth.

Where is fluoride found?

Fluoride used in Dr. Higham's office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash. Two and three year olds may not be able to expectorate (spit out) fluoride when brushing, so it is important to monitor their toothpaste ingestion. Infants younger than six months of age should not be given fluoride fortified vitamins or fluoride supplements. Be sure to check the labels on powdered concentrate infant formula, soy-based infant formula, infant dry cereals, creamed spinach, and infant chicken products, because these foods do often contain high levels of fluoride.

How do I reduce my child’s risk of fluorosis?

- Use baby tooth cleanser on the toothbrush of the very young child
- Place only a pea sized drop of children’s toothpaste on the brush when brushing
- Account for all of the sources of ingested fluoride
- Avoid giving any fluoride-containing supplements to infants until they are at least 6 months old
- Obtain fluoride level test results for your drinking water

Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

-Dr. Higham and team

Celebrate Baby Week with Just 4 KiDDS!

Happy Baby Week! For those of you who didn't know, July 12 through the 16 is celebrated across the nation as Baby Week. This week is a time when Discovery Health caters to you- the new or expecting to be moms and dads- featuring stories and information that is relevant to babies. Visit the Baby Week website for information, quizzes, videos, and of course, the cutest baby face-off!

At Just 4 KiDDS, our team knows how important it is for the moms and dads of newborns to correctly stimulate the senses of their infant. This interaction is vital to the physical and psychological growth and development of your baby. That’s why, in celebration of Baby Week, we would like to highlight a few ways that you can help your infant embrace the world around them, courtesy of Discovery Health.

Our office hopes that this information on a newborn’s five senses is helpful! Remember, babies’ teeth begin emerging at eight to ten months. Happy Baby Week!

-The team at Just 4 KiDDS

School programs at Just 4 kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry!

The school year may be over, but it's never too early to start thinking about fall classes. Dr. Jordan Higham and our team at Just 4 kiDDS offer two school programs for pre-school and grade school aged children. The programs are designed to educate children about the importance oral health. We try to make the programs fun and interactive for the children while at the same time teaching them about oral hygiene and nutrition. We will talk about teeth, “sugar bugs”, brushing and flossing, healthy snacking, and what to expect when visiting the dentist. At the end of the presentation, each child will be given a goody bag with a toothbrush and other dental supplies to take home.

Program 1: We will arrange for you to bring your school/class in to our office to meet Dr. Higham and take a tour of the office. We will talk to the children about the importance of taking care of their teeth. The office visit can be very beneficial for young children as it familiarizes them with the dental office setting and many times gets them excited to come back for their own visit to the dentist.

Program 2: We will arrange for someone from our staff to visit your school/class and give a short interactive presentation to the children about their teeth and oral health.

Please give us a call at 208-932-0467 to learn more!

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.