• Antibiotic Prophylaxis or Premedication
    In years past, it was often recommended that dental patients who had a history of heart problems or other conditions, such as joint implants, be given antibiotics before any dental Read more
  • Thanksgiving
    At Stephen J. Wessels, DMD, we love to celebrate the holidays with vigor! the doctor would love to share some unique ways of celebrating Thanksgiving from beyond the Wilkesboro, North Read more
  • Crushing the Ice-Chewing Habit
    It's a habit many people have and not only can it be annoying to the people around you, it can be detrimental to your dental health. Chewing ice is so Read more
  • Take Your Pick!
    Before electric toothbrushes, before dental floss, before fluoride rinses, in fact, before recorded history, people who cared about their dental health had one primary tool—the toothpick. Ancient bronze toothpicks, bejeweled Read more
  • Getting Ready for Winter
    Winter Is Coming. Okay, that sounded a lot more dramatic in a popular fantasy series. But here in the real world, winter is coming as well, so let’s look at some Read more
  • The Intriguing History of Halloween
    Halloween is fast approaching, and the doctor wanted to be sure to wish our patients a happy day, no matter how you might celebrate this holiday. The Halloween that is Read more
  • How can I protect my child's teeth during sports?
    Sports are great for children for a variety of reasons. Children can develop their motor skills, learn how to solve conflicts and work together, and develop their work ethics. As Read more
  • The Secret to Keeping Your Teeth for Life
    The secret to keeping your teeth for life involves more than one secret. The first is that there is no secret; and in fact, there really is no difficulty involved. Read more
  • What's on your fall reading list?
    How better to spend the fall months than inside by the fireplace with a warm cup of cider and a book in hand? the doctor and our team at Stephen Read more
  • Should Children Use Whitening Products?
    As adults, we often wish our teeth could be as white as they were when we were small children. Baby teeth have thinner and whiter enamel than adult teeth, and Read more
  • My gums are inflamed. What can I do?
    Inflamed gums are a fairly common dental issue, but unfortunately, many people don't take the problem seriously enough. If you ignore inflamed gums and continue your usual routine, you could Read more
  • What is biofilm?
    Biofilm, the protective housing for bacteria, is a hot topic in the medical and dental fields. Routinely taking an antibiotic for a bacterial infection has become more complicated because of Read more
  • Football Season? Practice Dental Defense
    It’s finally football season, and whether you’re on the field, at the game, or watching at home with friends, it’s time to work on some defensive dental strategies. Taking the Field If Read more
  • Celebrate Labor Day by Getting Away
    Labor Day honors the contributions that workers have made to this country, and for many Americans, the holiday is a great time to relax at home with family and friends. Read more
  • Smile! It’s Time for Arts & Crafts!
    If you have a child who loves arts and crafts, try some of these creative projects with a dental twist. One of these activities is sure to give your child Read more
  • The Secret to Fresh Breath
    Bad breath: We’ve all dealt with it. You’ve been around people who have it and, like it or not, you have had it yourself. It can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, Read more