Dental Health

We’re not talking about a movie, but a hardened substance on your child’s teeth called tartar or calculus—another slightly confusing term, right? No math equations here, except maybe Plaque + Time = Tartar.   That’s right, tartar begins as plaque, which is the accumulation of tiny food particles and bacteria. Our mouths are home to upwards… (Read More)

As a parent, you only want what’s best for your little one. Whether you’re a new mom navigating the waters of caring for your firstborn, or a seasoned pro ready to start your family softball team (sorry neighbor kids, all positions are filled), preventing tooth decay in kids is never an easy feat.  Because tiny… (Read More)

Did you know that sports-related injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits for children and teenagers between the ages of 12-17? For children between the ages of 5-14, recreational activities (e.g., riding a bike) account for an estimated 3.2 million emergency room visits.  With statistics like these, it’s no wonder parents want to… (Read More)

Do you remember your first time chewing gum? If you’re like some of us at Whalen Dentistry, you might even recall hearing that swallowing gum would result in it staying in your stomach for up to seven years!  There are a lot of myths that still float around these days, so if you hear that… (Read More)

When your child’s first dental visit is noted on the calendar, you might feel more anxious than they do as you approach the big day. At Whalen Dentistry, we want to help both of you relax and see there’s nothing to fear about having your smile cared for. Our team is kind and gentle, and… (Read More)

At Whalen Dentistry, education is paramount in our mission to help our Cornelius friends and neighbors improve and maintain their oral health. For this reason, we try to avoid using dental jargon when we’re speaking with our valued patient family.  However, some terms can’t be broken down as easily; in those cases, we’ll explain things… (Read More)

We’ve all seen variations of DIY methods when it comes to pulling loose baby teeth: the string and door slam method is by far one of the most popular (although we’re not sure why). But our team at Whalen Dentistry is here to advise against this and similarly aggressive techniques so your kiddo will have the… (Read More)

When it comes to ridiculous beliefs on dental hygiene and treatment, we’ve heard just about everything. However, the most dangerous ones usually aren’t quite so over the top. Unfortunately, several dental myths are floating all over the world, so Dr. Ryan Whalen is here to put an end to the misinformation. Don’t feel bad if… (Read More)

They say not everything natural is good for you. Nature has many poisons that humans have experimented with and learned the hard way to avoid. Tobacco is a popular plant that we’ve learned can really do a number on your health. Using tobacco is a personal and communal practice that can be really hard to… (Read More)

Breakfast is always being touted as the most important meal of the day—and for good reason! It’s important for families to kickstart their day with nutrients that will help them power through school, work, socializing, sports, and homework… does anyone else feel exhausted just thinking about it all?  The right foods in your child’s lunch… (Read More)