Blog

What is Xylitol? Xylitol is a naturally-occurring substance found in the birch tree and in many fruits and vegetables. Its chemical structure resembles a cross between sugar and alcohol—but it is neither. Xylitol is used as an FDA-approved artificial sweetener that can also assist in the prevention of tooth decay, so Dr. Ryan Whalen would… (Read More)

Ah, nighttime… the end of the day, the ceasing of work, and hopefully a good night’s sleep. But did you know things are still happening in your mouth all night long, even if you’re blissfully unaware of it? Dr. Ryan Whalen, Cornelius dentist sheds some light on the world of your mouth and everything going… (Read More)

If you’ve been considering straightening your smile but don’t want to go through the lengthy process of traditional braces, Six Month Smiles® may be a great solution. If a big life event such as a wedding, prom, or reunion is coming up and you need a quick fix to boost your confidence, consulting your local… (Read More)

There’s a lot of hair and makeup that goes into making your favorite stars sparkle on the screen. And while we can’t all hire a professional artist to make us look perfect every day, there is a lasting solution to giving you that perfect Hollywood smile – veneers! Dr. Ryan Whalen in Cornelius is an… (Read More)

At Whalen Dentistry, we know a lot of people feel they’re adding a layer of tooth decay and gum disease prevention to their oral hygiene routines when they swish with mouthwash—which may be true, but it depends on the mouthwash. If you floss and brush properly, mouthwash isn’t always necessary, and certain types could even… (Read More)

Full disclosure before your Cornelius dental team at Whalen Dentistry starts dropping knowledge on the muscles in your mouth that are partially to thank (or blame) for the foods you love: we’re hungry as we write this and are envisioning pizza; yummy, savory pizza with cheese that stretches when you grab a slice, crust with… (Read More)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fluoridation of drinking water is ranked among the ten greatest public health achievements of 20th century America. However, a quick search of the internet tells us that fluoride can actually be toxic if ingested in large enough quantities. So which is true? Do the health… (Read More)

Accidents are never planned and rarely anticipated, but good dental care is always ready and available 24/7. Like all medical emergencies, dental emergencies require quality care, and fast! Here’s what to do if you think you have a dental emergency on your hands. What is a Dental Emergency? If you are in a lot of pain… (Read More)

You work with Dr. Whalen to achieve your most beautiful smile, but if you also add makeup to enhance your appearance, you may have had the problem of drifting lipstick. At one time or another, we’ve all talked to someone with lipstick on their teeth and faced that awkward question: “How do I let them… (Read More)

Today’s families seem to be busier than they were in the past—lots of homework, extracurricular activities, and hopefully, some quality time spent with the family. Here are a few ideas from Dr. Ryan Whalen to make consistent oral hygiene a little more convenient: Brushing teeth in the shower: as hard as it is to get… (Read More)