Dental Health

There are so many things to be concerned about when you find out you’re expecting. Eating right, taking enough vitamins, getting enough rest, telling your husband there is no way you are naming your firstborn son Bud Light… but what about your teeth? There’s an old saying, “you lose a tooth for every baby” but… (Read More)

Thumb sucking is a normal behavior for babies and young children. But just how normal? More than 75% of little ones suck their thumbs, fingers, hands, pacifiers, or other items such as the corner of a blanket during these early years. Most kids stop this behavior on their own between the ages of three and… (Read More)

Today, Dr. Ryan Whalen at Whalen Dentistry wants to give teens the bottom line about tobacco use: there is no such thing as a “safe” or “safer” tobacco product. Every tobacco product contains nicotine in varying amounts and not only is nicotine addictive, but it can also harm the brain. (Many people don’t realize the… (Read More)

Tooth decay in infants and very young children is often called baby bottle tooth decay. This happens when liquids with natural or artificial sugars remain in an infant’s mouth for extended periods. Bacteria in the baby’s mouth thrive on these sugars, using them to produce acids that attack the teeth and gums. Today, Whalen Dentistry… (Read More)

The upper teeth formed along the maxillary jawbone are called “maxillary teeth” and include the top incisors, molars, premolars, and canines. Whalen Dentistry shares more information about maxillary teeth below. Understanding the role of the upper teeth and caring for them properly is important in the fight against bacteria and infection in the gum tissues… (Read More)

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)