Children's Dental Health in San Jose

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – SMILE! National Children's Dental Health Month

San Jose - Despite the fact that tooth decay (cavities) is almost entirely preventable, it is the most common chronic disease in children. Reports show that American students miss over 51 million hours of school every year because of oral health problems. The U.S. Surgeon General refers to dental problems as the “silent epidemic”.

While February is a nationally designated period of time to focus on dental health education, prevention of dental diseases, and developing good oral health habits in our school-aged children. Drs. Kayhan Mashouf and Shannon Hayashibara of Mashouf Orthodontics in San Jose want to make sure that the children in our community enjoy healthy smiles all year long! To kick off Children’s Dental Health Month, Drs. Kayhan Mashouf and Shannon Hayashibara visited local schools with the goal of giving children both a fun and educational introduction to a lifetime of dental health. On Wednesday, February 7th – Dr. Mashouf, Dr. Hayashibara, and their puppet friends visited Valley Christian Elementary to teach their third-grade students the importance of our teeth and smiles, proper brushing techniques, and healthy eating habits. Each child also received a free toothbrush goodie bag to take home. On February 8th (National Give Kids A Smile Day) Dr. Hayashibara along with two dentists from India conducted free dental screenings on 130 Kindergartners at Castlemont Elementary. It was Dr. Kayhan Mashouf's privilege to visit the children at Capri Elementary on Saturday, February 9th to provide free dental screenings and dental health education.

It is crucial to educate our children on proper care. Untreated dental disease can compromise a child’s ability to eat well, sleep well, and function well at home and at school. The good news is that cavities are preventable by practicing good oral hygiene. “

Drs. Mashouf and Hayashibara recommend these healthy smile tips & reminders:

Regular Dental Check-Ups (at least 2 x per year) may seem like an unnecessary expense but they can actually save you money in the long run. Parents and teachers may not realize there's a dental problem, regular check-ups are important to diagnose, treat and prevent dental problems. Dental problems caught early can quickly be fixed, with little or no pain, and prevent a big expense. And prevent your child from missing school.

Brushing and Flossing: Children should brush at least twice a day. Flossing once a day is an annoyance for adults, let alone children. Floss picks make flossing easier for kids and come in fun flavors.

Pack Healthy Lunches and Snacks: Fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheese are great choices. Nuts, whole grains, and yogurt are also good snack choices. Avoid fruit juices, energy drinks, and sodas as they erode tooth enamel. Avoid sugary, sticky and chewy foods (such as raisins, fruit snacks, and crackers) because they will cling to the tooth surface, allowing bacteria in plaque to produce more acid.

Wear a Mouthguard: An injury can take the fun out of gym class, recess, and after-school sports. Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard will help protect your child's precious teeth from getting chipped or knocked out.

We are happy to answer any questions parents may have about their child's dental health and assist in helping them find a dental professional to meet their needs. Don't hesitate to contact our office. (408)266-8820

We also attached some fun pictures from our Children's Dental Health Month Events.

Keep calm and Brush on!

Drs. Cameron Mashouf, Kayhan Mashouf, and Shannon Hayashibara