Blog

You love your teeth. You brush them twice a day, floss once a day, and see your dentist regularly. Right? We love your teeth, too! There’s so much to know about caring for your oral health that dentistry has quite a few categories of specialties and different kinds of dentists The primary dentist in your… (Read More)

For such a seemingly small part of your body, the tongue plays a major role in many everyday functions, such as talking, helping you digest and taste food, and swallowing. The appearance of your tongue may speak volumes (pun slightly intended) about the state of your oral and overall health.  Today, Cornelius’ dentist, Dr. Ryan… (Read More)

The upper teeth formed along the maxillary jawbone are called “maxillary teeth” and include the top incisors, molars, premolars, and canines. Whalen Dentistry shares more information about maxillary teeth below. Understanding the role of the upper teeth and caring for them properly is important in the fight against bacteria and infection in the gum tissues… (Read More)

If you fear shots, injections, or medical needles in general, you may be suffering from trypanophobia, and an estimated 10 percent of Americans share the same aversion. The general public calls it “needle phobia,” but the DSM-IV classified it as a specific phobia of medical needles as of 1994.  Dr. Ryan Whalen understands these fears,… (Read More)

Nicknamed for the fact that they come into your mouth and your life by the time you are mature and supposedly “wise”, wisdom teeth are simply the last set of molars that grow furthest back in your mouth. If you’re experiencing some specific pain in your gums and jaw, you may be wondering if you… (Read More)

The prevalence of oral cancer in America is increasing, with an estimated 49,750 people being diagnosed in 2017 alone. Of those newly diagnosed individuals, it is projected that only 57% will live 5 years beyond receiving the news. Oral cancer will cause almost 10,000 deaths annually, equating to nearly 1 person per hour.  These statistics… (Read More)

If braces are in your child or teen’s future, or they have just had them placed, you may be wondering just how the heck they’re going to work around them when flossing and brushing. We’d love to calm your mind by reminding you that those wires and brackets are temporary visitors, hanging out to help… (Read More)

If your child loses a tooth too soon or needs a baby tooth extracted due to decay, Whalen Dentistry may recommend space maintainers to support their dental health. Space maintainers are custom-made acrylic or metal dental appliances that can either be removable or cemented into the mouth. Their purpose is to keep the space open… (Read More)

You’ve worn your braces or aligners, kept your checkup appointments, and followed treatment instructions from Whalen Dentistry. You love your new smile, but it’s not over yet—how long will you have to wear a retainer? There are two types of retainers: removable and fixed. Removable retainers are taken out of your mouth during your oral… (Read More)

At Whalen Dentistry, we understand that dental insurance can be tricky to navigate. Evaluating dental plans and considering deductibles, benefits, which treatments are covered, and the mountain of other information insurance companies provide can be a headache in and of itself.  Dr. Ryan Whalen wants every Cornelius patient to have the power to control their… (Read More)