Blog

Many people face tooth loss and are unsure of their options. Tooth loss is difficult socially as well as physically. When you lose a tooth, you also lose the bone that supported the tooth – it simply stops growing since it’s no longer needed. After that bone disappears, your jawbone will continue to shrink away… (Read More)

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a really long name… so let’s call it TMJ.  That sounds more familiar—you’ve probably heard it before. Maybe some lingering pain in your chewing muscles and bones even have you wondering if you have it. TMJ dysfunction is sometimes called TMD, TMJD, or TMJ Syndrome, especially if there seem to be a… (Read More)

Can you imagine a 2-liter bottle of your favorite soda? Now imagine that same bottle filled with spit. That’s approximately how much saliva the average adult produces in their mouth every day! It may be gross, but it’s definitely important. Saliva is a normal body fluid that’s crucial for oral health and overall wellness. If… (Read More)

Traditionally, dentists have used what’s known as amalgam, or special metal alloys, to fill cavities. However, modern dental medicine has advanced to the point that Cornelius dentist Dr. Ryan Whalen can offer patients a much better option for filling holes caused by tooth decay: composite fillings. Whalen Dentistry would like to educate you on the… (Read More)

In a great tale of opposites, lemon juice can be both acidic and basic, or alkaline. In this blog article, Cornelius dentist Dr. Ryan Whalen discusses what that means for your oral and overall health. What Is pH & Why Does It Matter?

You’ve been hearing it for years – “make sure to visit Dr. Whalen twice a year for your regular cleanings.” Just in case you’ve ever wondered why regular dental cleanings are so important, we at Whalen Dentistry would like to take this opportunity to let Cornelius residents in on some information you don’t often hear…. (Read More)

One of the most common and destructive myths about oral hygiene is that it’s normal for gums to bleed. Dr. Whalen would like everyone in Cornelius to know that this is not the case! Imagine if we weren’t talking about gums-should any part of your body start to bleed whenever you touch it? The truth… (Read More)

Ah, vacation. The sun, the sand, the… gauze in your mouth? Dental work and recovery might not be your preferred use of your precious vacation days, but some people are packing their bags and heading to exotic locations for dental work in hopes of saving money. As medical education and technology improve all around the… (Read More)

We all have those nervous habits we turn to when we feel awkward, stressed, or just plain bored. If your choice vice is biting your nails, you need to know that it can cause a lot of distress on your oral health and overall health. Cornelius dentist Dr. Ryan Whalen shares why nail biting is… (Read More)

When it comes to your oral health, we hope you never have any pains or problems. Good preventive care will help you always feel your best! But even with the best habits, dental problems do happen. In that case, oral pathology is the science and medicine that helps diagnose and treat whatever is making you… (Read More)