Patient Care

No one wants to think about the words “abscessed tooth” applying to their own mouth but to paraphrase Sun Tzu, it’s a good idea to know your enemy. Causes of an abscessed tooth include: Tooth decay Gum disease A cracked tooth When a tooth is compromised by one or more of these conditions, bacteria may… (Read More)

The World Health Organization defines health as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Sadly, in our fast-paced culture, many of us settle for less-than-healthy or even truly sick conditions every day. We allow ourselves to be tired, achy, stressed, and in pain more… (Read More)

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)