I’m Stephen and Kimberly Dankworth DDS of La Costa Dental Excellence in Carlsbad. My patients often ask me if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular dental exams. Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little bit about xylitol: Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first […]
Want To Keep Your Enamel Healthy? Avoid Doing These 11 Things
1. Chewing on hard foods We’re looking at you Beef jerky and hard or stale bread. 2. Chewing on hard items This includes fingernails, pencils, pen caps, and ice. 3. Grinding your teeth If you grind your teeth, counsel with your dentist. An appliance can safeguard your smile. 4. Eating too much sticky food Gummy […]
Are All Clear Aligners Alike?
If you are researching orthodontics, you have probably heard about clear aligners. They offer several advantages over traditional metal braces. The most popular advantage is the fact that they are nearly invisible. Millions of individuals have aligned their teeth with aligners in the past twenty years since they were invented. We’re here to help with […]
Do You Eat A Smile-Healthy Diet?
Today’s post explains how specific foods and eating habits affect our teeth. The Sugar Problem Sugars get converted by bacteria in the mouth to acids. It is the acids that begin to assault enamel and initiate decay for people of all ages. Fruits have high water content which can dilute the effects of the sugars […]
Dental Questions? La Costa Dental Excellence Has Answers
Everyone has teeth, and proactive people want to take care of their teeth. However, many people need a place where they can review basic principles of dental health and get unbiased information about restorative and cosmetic dental procedures such as dental implants, teeth whitening, and veneers. The La Costa Dental Excellence dental blog is your […]
Do You Have A Thumbsucking Toddler?
For years, Carlsbad parents have been warned that thumb-sucking can cause future dental problems for their thumb-loving toddlers. One of these problems is a type of malocclusion called an open bite. An open bite occurs when the front teeth in the lower and upper jaw have been moved forward; often to the extent that they […]