Dental Health

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)

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)

Holidays like Halloween, Christmas, and Easter bring extra candy and homemade goodies along with them. Sadly, the bacteria in your child’s mouth are always ready to start producing the acid that contributes to cavities, but candy still can be enjoyed in moderation! Cornelius’ dentist, Dr. Ryan Whalen at Whalen Dentistry, has the skinny on some… (Read More)

Do you remember feeling like beauty standards were unattainable as a teenager? Heck, many of us feel this way as adults! It makes sense that teenagers might be concerned with the appearance of their smile and pine for bright white smiles the same way adults are, because they’re often exposed to the same media that… (Read More)

Receding gums (also known as gingival recession in the field of dentistry) are not uncommon in adults aged 40 and older, but children can also experience this progressive loss of gum tissue as young as age 7.  Left untreated, gum recession can expose tooth roots and lead to pain and sensitivity. While causes of gum… (Read More)

Hey Cornelius parents, how diligent are you about flossing once a day? Unless you’re an avid flosser, you probably hate this question. However, we don’t ask to shame you, so keep that in mind when we ask how much you help your young one floss. We know it’s not particularly easy to get string in… (Read More)

If your child’s permanent adult teeth haven’t emerged promptly, you may wonder if there is a reason to worry. Whalen Dentistry would like to share a few possible reasons permanent adult teeth can be delayed.  Is There Enough Space for the New Teeth to Grow? The most common reason permanent teeth appear late is simple:… (Read More)

So, you’re missing a tooth—or a few!  An apple a day will not take care of this one, unfortunately. It’s time to consider dentures or dental implants. A variety of personal and practical factors will determine which solution is best for your new smile. Don’t feel lost among all the pros and cons of choosing… (Read More)

Calcium. We regularly hear how important calcium is for our kids’ diets. It’s vital for healthy growth. Calcium is a building block for strong bones. It helps with hormone balance and keeps the heart pumping and blood circulating normally. But did you know that calcium is also vital for healthy teeth?  Calcium builds strong bones…. (Read More)

What parents do with their children’s baby teeth varies from family to family. Some save them, some throw them away, and some make a craft project or a keepsake from them. Recent research is even exploring the possibility of having parents store their children’s baby teeth to preserve mesenchymal stem cell content in the event… (Read More)