Patient Care

Most adults spend a lot of time, effort, and sometimes money to keep their teeth as white as possible. White teeth are considered one of the most important aspects of physical attractiveness in modern culture. If you notice your child’s teeth looking yellow, you may have some cause for concern, but there are plenty of possible… (Read More)

Imagine this, you have come to see Cornelius’ dentist, Dr. Ryan Whalen at Whalen Dentistry, for a cleaning and routine checkup. The cleaning goes well, but then Dr. Ryan Whalen tells you that you have a cavity. You’ve been dreading the possibility of this news, and now you fear that something must be wrong since… (Read More)

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)

You’ve worn your braces or aligners, kept your checkup appointments, and followed treatment instructions from Whalen Dentistry. You love your new smile, but it’s not over yet—how long will you have to wear a retainer? There are two types of retainers: removable and fixed. Removable retainers are taken out of your mouth during your oral… (Read More)