When dental patients ask if mouthwash cures bad breath, we tell them that treating bad breath with a mouthwash is like drenching yourself with cologne instead of taking a shower. Mouthwash is only a temporary mask for odor caused by poor oral hygiene, tongue bacteria, or digestive conditions. The best-selling mouthwashes have a significant amount…
Dental Health
Royalty At La Costa Dental Excellence
When Drs. Stephen and Kimberly Dankworth crown one of our patients, the coronation is a celebration of a stronger smile. The necessity of a dental crown is usually readily apparent. Based on how much tooth is available to hold in a filling, sometimes a crown is necessary to add more support and to keep the…
Five Facts About Enamel Erosion
Our teeth work hard and are continuously under attack. It’s no wonder that nature encases them with an armor of enamel—the hardest substance in the body. Unfortunately, enamel erosion is extremely widespread, though largely preventable. Enamel’s chief enemies are acidic foods and beverages. Other factors that can weaken enamel or wear it away are some…
Can I Wear Braces While I’m Pregnant?
Pregnant women are advised to avoid many things such as taking certain medications and eating specific foods. However, there is rarely a reason why a pregnant woman should not undergo orthodontic treatment. It is generally considered safe for pregnant women to have orthodontic care, with some precautions. Today’s post is for pregnant women interested in…
Signs Of Oral Cancer: What Not To Ignore
Today’s message focuses on a very serious subject—oral (oropharyngeal) cancers. The medical community designates oral cancers as a subset of head and neck cancers. Oral cancers can develop in the following locations: The tongue The roof of the mouth and under the tongue The inside of the cheeks The oropharynx (the part behind the soft…
The Future Of Tooth Decay In Carlsbad
Dental patients in the Encinitas area may wonder what would happen if they didn’t seek quality dental care on a regular basis. The answer isn’t pretty. A common result of untreated cavities is abscessed teeth. A tooth abscess is an infection near the root of the tooth or between the gum and the tooth. This…
Baby Talk (About Oral Health)
Taking care of a baby can be exciting, exhausting, and confusing. (All within the space of an hour.) You worry about your son or daughter’s safety. “Did I cover all the outlets?” “Are the medicines locked away?” You worry about your baby’s development. “Is he growing on schedule?” “Shouldn’t she be talking by now?” And…
Do You Eat A Tooth-Healthy Diet?
Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern for our local Encinitas dental patients. As your Drs. , I’m devoted to helping you care for your teeth and keep them healthy. Everyone in the Encinitas knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires thorough daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local Encinitas dental practice is also…
Don’t Put Off Your Dental Exam
No matter how old you are, dental exams are an important practice for keeping your smile healthy and beautiful. At La Costa Dental Excellence, we have an excellent office and warm and friendly team of professionals to make your exams something you’ll look forward to. Knowledge is Power Dental patients often delay exams because they think they…
Why Sports Drinks Put Teeth At Risk
The team at La Costa Dental Excellence, serving Encinitas, Carlsbad or San Marcos wants to discuss sports drinks and the effect they have on your oral health. If you’re health conscious, you may think that these are better for you than water. While it’s true that sports drinks help maintain electrolyte levels in the body…
