Has Your Toddler Had A Dental Exam?

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised parents to begin children’s dentist visits before the third birthday. The AAP now counsels parents to take their toddler to a dentist before his or her first birthday, or within six months after their first tooth breaks through. Don’t wait! Why? Prevention, prevention, prevention! Sadly, California dentists continue […]

5 Tips For Treating Mouth Sores

Hi. We’re Doctors Stephen and Kimberly Dankworth. When our patients get mouth sores, we guide them to evaluate what they’re eating and make some changes. By following these tips, you too can avoid the discomfort of eating and help to increase the speed of healing. 1. Eat soft or pureed foods. Don’t worry, you won’t […]

The Benefits of Oral Surgery Sedation

If you’ve been told that you need oral surgery, then you may be feeling a bit anxious. Oral surgery isn’t always the most pleasant experience. Thankfully, modern dentistry like La Costa Dental Excellence in Carlsbad, CA offers sedation options to help make the procedure more comfortable. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why oral surgery […]

Should I Worry About My Snoring?

Snoring isn’t just an annoyance. It can have significant health consequences. What is Snoring? Snoring is caused by an obstruction that restricts the flow of air in the throat. The obstruction can be caused by: Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue—when muscles relax they can collapse into the airway. Alcohol use and sleeping […]

Don’t Let Fear Of The Dentist Compromise Your Oral Health

If you have claustrophobia, you pass on cave exploration. If you have acrophobia (fear of heights), you avoid skydiving. In either case, you can live a fulfilling life without engaging in these activities. What if you have dentophobia or a fear of the dentist? (Yes, it’s a real thing with an official name.) This is […]

Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

Overview Temporomandibular joint The temporomandibular joint (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) (TMJ) acts like a sliding ring, connecting your jaw to your skull. You have joints in every part of your jaw. TMJ disorders – a type of temporomandibular disorder, or TMD – can cause pain in the jaw joints and muscles that control jaw movement. The exact cause of a person’s TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination […]

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.