How Tooth Grinding Can Damage Your Smile

What is Tooth Grinding? Tooth grinding (or bruxism in doctor-speak) is a common behavior among men and women of all ages. It is when a person involuntarily clenches their jaw or rubs their teeth together. Tooth grinding can occur during the day or night and can affect children and adults. Some men and women grind […]

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 […]

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 […]

Teach Healthy Habits Early to Avoid Disease in Adulthood

Gum disease and the more severe periodontal disease aren’t common in children. But they are very common in the adult population. Clearly, the habits that are causing periodontal disease later in life are developed in childhood and young adulthood. First, we’ll describe what gum disease is. Then we will discuss how gum disease is linked […]

Been A While Since You Had Your Teeth Cleaned?

Welcome to the dental practice of Drs. Stephen and Kimberly Dankworth, DDS. At La Costa Dental Excellence, we provide comprehensive full-service dentistry for patients in Carlsbad and surrounding communities. Our committed to excellence team of skilled hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff help Drs. Dankworth exceeds our patients' expectations. At La Costa Dental Excellence, we […]

Is Malocclusion Causing Your Headache?

Do you suffer from severe headaches? Have you tried medications, diet adjustments, and chiropractic treatment? Perhaps the cause is not stress-induced tension, food allergies, spine alignment, or eyestrain. Maybe the culprit is right under your nose. Bite misalignment or malocclusion is a fairly common abnormality yet commonly goes undetected. Nature intended the front teeth to […]

Because Every Smile Tells A Story

At La Costa Dental Excellence, we see every smile as a story worth celebrating. The trust and appreciation our patients share reminds us why we do what we do, because care is about more than dentistry; it’s about people. We’ve gathered real stories from those who have experienced the warmth, transparency and dedication that define our practice. Step inside and discover what compassionate dental care truly feels like.