Artificial sweeteners and your child’s health, from Just 4 KiDDS

Dr. Higham knows that there is always a lot of debate in the health community about the health effects of artificial sweeteners, and aspartame is most surely one of the most controversial food additives to ever be approved by the FDA. Here at Just 4 KiDDS, we try to provide you with the most up to date information on topics relating to the health of our patients and their loved ones. That is why we want to share with you a few facts that we recently learned in a Huffington Post article.

Did you know that aspartame is now sold under many commercial names, including NutraSweet, Canderel, and AminoSweet? Yes, that’s right. When checking nutrition facts, it is important to keep an eye out for all of these ingredients! This sweetener can be found in diabetic foods, jams, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, soda, and even prescriptions and vitamins.

What’s so harmful about aspartame?
With over 10,000 official complaints, aspartame reactions are more commonly reported than that of all other food additives combined. Of these reports, two-thirds consist primarily of headaches, mood alterations, and hallucinations. Determining your nutritional type and the foods that your body craves is key to satisfying sugar cravings. The recommended fructose level is below 25 grams per day, which includes both natural and artificial sweeteners.

Next time you're in for an appointment with Dr. Higham, let us know if you have any questions about aspartame or this article. As always, please remember to use a straw if you choose to sip soda, coffee, or other dark colored beverages to take care of that beautiful smile!

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

Baby teeth – and gums – need special care!

One question our staff at Just 4 KiDDS hear all the time is, “When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?”

You should begin regular cleanings even before your baby has teeth. After each breast feeding – or bottle-feeding – use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gum tissue. You can wrap the material around one finger to make it easier to remove any food bits from your baby’s mouth.

When your baby’s first tooth comes in, switch to a baby toothbrush. Look for special baby toothbrushes in your drugstore – they have just a few bristles and are very soft. There are even brushes shaped like finger puppets that fit over the tip of your pointer finger! All you need at this point is water – no toothpaste yet.

After a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste, but you only need a tiny bit, and make sure it doesn’t contain fluoride for the first three years. From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing. That way, he or she will already have the good habit of spitting when you switch to fluoride toothpaste, which should never be swallowed.

If you have any questions about caring for your baby’s teeth, please contact Just 4 KiDDS Dentistry.

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.

Happy Baby Safety Month, from Just 4 KiDDS Dentistry

In honor of Baby Safety Month, Idaho Falls, ID pediatric dentist Dr. Higham would like to encourage all of our patients and their families to become educated on the importance of childproofing your home. Your child’s health and safety is of the utmost importance to our team at Just 4 KiDDS Dentistry, which is why we would like to remind all of our patients to be mindful of some of the common hazards that may be in your home.

Children are vulnerable, and it is important that you take the necessary precautions in your kitchen, bathroom, nursery, and around the home to minimize the risk to your baby. For example, never leave poisons or toxic materials under the sink where they can be easily reached by a child. In the bathroom, remember to remove soaps, razors, and shampoos from the edge of the tub and close the toilet lid. Children are naturally curious, so it is necessary that you cover all electrical outlets, keep all trash containers locked, and ensure that hanging cords from phones, lamps, and appliances are kept out of reach.

We hope that these baby safety tips help! You can visit this website to learn more about childproofing your home. As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about baby safety or pediatric dentistry.

What do you love about Just 4 KiDDS Dentistry?

From your very first visit to Just 4 KiDDS our doctor and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by Dr. Higham's work? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review here. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you,

The team at Just 4 KiDDS Dentistry

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