Patient Care

At Whalen Dentistry, we’re here to help you as you teach your little ones how to care for their growing and changing smiles. Sometimes our combined efforts will prevent them from needing dental treatment beyond cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants, but other times we might recommend extraction to get them back on track for better… (Read More)

The dreaded words of warning for anyone who has a tooth extraction: dry socket. A dry socket is a painful complication after a routine treatment like an extraction, but it can be avoided if you’re careful, and it definitely won’t kill you. Read more below from Cornelius dentist, Dr. Ryan S. Whalen at Whalen Dentistry,… (Read More)

Oral hygiene is the foundation of good dental health. Brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to keep your smile healthy and clean. Consider this your personal cleaning tutorial on the art of dental hygiene, instructed by Dr. Ryan Whalen and the skillful hygienists at Whalen Dentistry. Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss & Mouthwash Before we… (Read More)

In today’s calorie-obsessed culture, it can be hard to hear the truth among all the other health-conscious noise. People are frequently misinformed and misled about the health benefits of trends such as cleanses, sugar alternatives, diets, organic vs. nonorganic, and a myriad of other common topics. Today, Cornelius dentist Dr. Ryan Whalen at Whalen Dentistry… (Read More)

Examining your child’s mouth isn’t easy! Their bone structure is still developing, and they might have difficulty opening wide—if they don’t, you’ll probably need a flashlight and a dental mirror for examination.  Your Cornelius dentist, Dr. Ryan Whalen at Whalen Dentistry is equipped with a comfortable dental chair for them to lean back in, an… (Read More)

We all know someone who asks for extra ice just so they can chew on it. And we’ve probably all heard that chewing ice is not healthy for your teeth. So what’s the truth? Is it best to put a stop to ice chewing? Absolutely, and for more reasons than most people are aware of…. (Read More)

Xerostomia is the technical term for dry mouth, the condition that results from absent or reduced saliva flow. It is not a disease on its own, but it may be a side effect of medication or radiation treatments.  Xerostomia affects about 20% of the elderly population—not because of their age, but due to the increased… (Read More)

Assistance animals prescribed for many different conditions and situations have become a frequent topic of discussion in recent years. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, many businesses must allow service animals to accompany disabled individuals into any public area of a facility. For example, a hospital would allow the presence of a service animal in… (Read More)

All children are unique individuals with personal preferences, but sometimes special needs kids have a higher level of anxiety in new situations like visiting the dentist. Dentists like Dr. Ryan Whalen realize treating special needs kids requires patience and understanding, and while most dentists who treat children are capable of accommodating a variety of special… (Read More)

As brand-new humans, it seems logical that babies and children would have gleaming white teeth to go along with their bright eyes and soft skin. Baby teeth—also called primary teeth—generally do appear whiter than adult permanent teeth because they are more calcified. However,  it is not uncommon for a child’s teeth to appear less than… (Read More)