Many of Doctor Stephen and Kimberly Dankworth’s patients walk in for sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, or dental implants. Many for routine checkups and cleanings. And most really want to know if they are brushing properly. Having patients come for treatment and leave with questions answered—from which toothpaste to buy to proper tools and techniques—is our…
Gum disease
Gently Now (Protect Your Gums When You Brush)
Everyone wants nice, pearly whites so, naturally, we should brush our teeth more, right? The only problem with that is many people brush their teeth too aggressively, leading to gum recession. You don’t want that. Gum recession is when your gum line exposes more of your teeth, or in severe cases, your tooth root. It…
The Rate of Bone Loss After Extraction Can Be Slowed or Stopped With an Implant
The alveolar bone The bone surrounding the teeth is called alveolar bone. Its main job is to support the teeth and provide a durable foundation for tooth roots. Normal mouth function maintains bone health. As you chew, it stimulates bone cells to continually produce new bone. What can cause alveolar bone loss? Extraction When a…
4 Smile Boosters
Hi, my name is Drs. Stephen and Kimberly Dankworth. My dental practice, La Costa Dental Excellence, has been serving the Carlsbad, California area since 1988. Today in my Encinitas dental blog, I would like to highlight four ways you can improve your smile. 1. Teeth Whitening is quick and non-invasive. External tooth whitening occurs when…
Why Improve Your Smile?
Causes and consequences of poor dental health and how you can brush up on your own Most of us struggle with at least one area of our dental care. It could be that flossing is the one dreaded task, or maybe you haven’t been wearing the night guard recommended often enough. All of us should…
Keeping You Comfortable
At La Costa Dental Excellence, we make a conscious effort to help our patients feel comfortable. Though our chairs are cushy as can be, we are not only talking about physical comfort here. We are talking about emotional comfort. In other words, peace of mind. Here are four ways we are enthusiastic about your peace…
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Evolution isn’t always tidy and linear. For example, we have smaller jaws than our ancestors thousands of years ago, but most of our bodies haven’t adapted by generating fewer teeth. Two-thirds of us generate the same amount of teeth as early humans. These late-developing extra molars are called wisdom teeth and they pose unique oral…
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…
5 Critical Things To Know About Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is inflammation or infection of the gums. For the most part, periodontal disease is preventable. This condition is so widespread in the US that it has been called a ‘health crisis’ by the ADA. Fortunately, periodontal disease can be treated. If left untreated, it can cause irreversible damage such…
Gum Disease And Tooth Loss
Do you know that the most frequent cause of tooth loss among adults is gum disease? Severe gum disease is called periodontitis. Regular check-ups with your dentist are vital, but there are warning signs for gum disease that everyone should be looking for. Signs of Gum Disease Gums that bleed easily Gums that are tender,…
