Blog

Some schools require a back-to-school dental visit, but even if yours doesn’t, right before school starts is a good time to schedule one of your child’s regular checkups. Whalen Dentistry can take care of any problems so your child won’t have to miss class after school starts, and if oral hygiene routines got a little… (Read More)

We don’t mean the emotion, though you just might be feeling it if you or your loved ones have been losing sleep because of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. MAD is the abbreviation for Mandibular Advancement Device, and it’s a type of oral appliance that could help you and your family experience restful sleep again…. (Read More)

We’ve all heard the expression that a dog is a (hu)man’s best friend, and dog lovers wouldn’t disagree. There’s also a common misconception that “a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s mouth”. As it turns out, that’s not true at all, and there are many reasons you should never let your dog kiss you… (Read More)

There are very few people in the world who would choose to go to the dentist as their favorite thing to do, and kids are no exception. Here are a few tips to help ensure a more successful dental visit for your child: Encourage age-appropriate daily oral hygiene routines at home. The best checkups are… (Read More)

Most homes have a standard first-aid kit—and with the demanding schedules of the average American family today, it’s smart to keep one in your vehicle, too. Whether at home or away from home, active kids like to run, play, climb, and jump off things—and sometimes emergency dental injuries follow. Whalen Dentistry thinks it’s a great… (Read More)

At Whalen Dentistry, our bad news is usually limited to the diagnosis of a dental infection we can treat without much difficulty. We’d like to keep it that way, which is why we may broach more sensitive subjects at times—specifically around the ages of 11 and 12, when doctors might recommend a Human Papillomavirus (HPV)… (Read More)

Remember that guy with the lip ring you had a crush on in high school? I wonder how his teeth are doing now. Don’t get us wrong—at Whalen Dentistry, we’re all about the freedom of self-expression, and if body modifications like tattoos and piercings are your thing, we support you. However, as your dental health… (Read More)

Very few opinions are universally shared, but we’re willing to bet on one: the best dental checkups are the ones where Whalen Dentistry says the beautiful words: “No cavities!” At-home oral hygiene routines are the most effective tool people of any age have to keep their teeth healthy, but when it comes to pediatric dentistry,… (Read More)

Benzocaine has been an over-the-counter local dental anesthetic for people of all ages for many years. It is available in most drugstores, often under product names such as Anbesol®, Orajel™ , Hurricaine®, and Baby Orajel™.  Recently, the use of benzocaine has been linked to a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia, a disorder that reduces… (Read More)

Every kid feels uncomfortable in social situations sometimes, especially when they feel they “look different”—and studies show the #1 reason kids are bullied for their appearance is the way their teeth look. Bullies sense this discomfort and annoy, anger, and confuse kids who already feel vulnerable—and if the child being teased is openly reactive, the… (Read More)