Arizona Heat’s Surprising Impact on Your Gum Health

As Arizonans, we’re no strangers to scorching summer temperatures. But did you know that the extreme heat in our beautiful desert state can have surprising effects on your oral health? Let’s dive into how Arizona’s sweltering summers can impact your gums and what you can do to maintain optimal periodontal

Dental Implants vs Dentures: Choosing Your Best Smile

Dental Implants vs Dentures: Which Option Is Right for You? If you’re considering tooth replacement options, you’ve likely come across two popular choices: dental implants and dentures. At TLC for Gums in Phoenix, AZ, we often get asked about the differences between these two solutions. Let’s dive into the key

World Oral Health Day: Promoting Smiles Globally

Celebrate World Oral Health Day: Join the Global Movement for Healthier Smiles Hey there, Phoenix! Did you know that there’s a special day dedicated to celebrating and promoting oral health worldwide? That’s right, it’s World Oral Health Day, and at TLC for Gums, we’re excited to share this important occasion

Brushing your teeth – Advice from Dr. Gordon Wilson

What is Malocclusion and How Can It Affect Me?

One cause of periodontitis that may not be so obvious is what is known as a malocclusion. Occlusion is the term used to describe the position of the teeth as they interdigitate (fit together) when the jaws of the mouth are closed. When the upper teeth and the lower teeth

The Causes of Gum Disease

Your mouth is the perfect incubator for bacteria. It’s warm… it’s dark… it’s moist… and as long as you are eating, there’s an endless supply of food for these bacteria to multiply and spread all throughout your mouth. There are hundreds of different species of bacteria in the human mouth,

How Tartar Causes “Gum Disease”

This week, let’s take a closer look at how plaque turns into tartar. Between your teeth and gums is a small valley known as the sulcus. When you go to the dentist, your dental hygienist lays you back and begins taking measurements with an instrument known as a periodontal probe

The Signs, Symptoms, and Consequences of Periodontitis, Part II

Growing up, I was taught that there was no such thing as a stupid question. Apparently, that’s not true… there evidently is such a thing as a stupid question, and in 1992 it seems that I asked it! We were learning about gingivitis and periodontitis and how it all starts

The Signs, Symptoms, and Consequences of Periodontitis, Part I

One might be tempted to think that periodontal disease is painful. In actuality, the process of developing a pocket and the loss of bone is relatively painless until it progresses into the latter stages. A good way to envision the phenomenon of a pocket developing around the root of a

Anatomy and Histology

To better understand gum disease let’s take a look at the anatomical and histological structures of teeth as well as the gum tissue and bone that surrounds the teeth. We don’t need an in-depth, specialized education. We just need to have a basic, generalized understanding of the oral anatomy and

The Evolution of TLC 4 Gums, Part II

I ultimately realized that I needed to get all of our patients on the same page with their homecare.  The only way for all patients to achieve excellent results is…

The Evolution of TLC 4 Gums, Part I

The following is an excerpt from TLC4Gums founder Dr Gordon Wilson’s new book, “The Secret Techniques to Eliminating Gum Disease without Surgery”. In 1995, I began my professional career in…

My Dental Education

The following is an excerpt from TLC4Gums founder Dr Gordon Wilson’s new book, “The Secret Techniques to Eliminating Gum Disease without Surgery”. If you’ve ever watched the movie, “Rudy”… that…

Treating Gum Disease Without Fear

The following is an excerpt from TLC4Gums founder Dr Gordon Wilson’s new book, “The Secret Techniques to Eliminating Gum Disease without Surgery”. You know how smooth your teeth feel after…

Is Teeth Whitening Right for Me?

If you want to take the next step in optimizing your smile, a cosmetic dental procedure might be the right way to go. But which procedure? Over the following weeks,…

Treating Gum Disease Without the Scalpels

It’s true: many patients are afraid of dentists and periodontists (gum specialists). They don’t like the bright lights, the noises, and the scalpels – especially the scalpels! This can probably…

Smile Makeovers: Are They Right for You?

Our smile is one of the first things that anyone will notice about us. It builds confidence and self-esteem, but it can also take it away from us if we…

What Is a Dental Consultation Like?

No matter your reasons for seeing a dentist, an important first step to addressing your concerns is a consultation. Regardless of whether it’s for bleeding gums, a full mouth reconstruction,…

What Is a Root Canal, Really?

A common saying is that something is ‘as fun as a root canal’. We immediately recoil as we imagine someone making holes in your teeth with power tools. But is…

All About Extractions

When all else fails with your damaged, decayed, or weakened teeth, sometimes we have to resort to drastic measures: an extraction. At TLC 4 Gums, we try to save your…

The Truth About Flossing

We are often told to floss our teeth on a daily basis. Flossing is meant to remove plaque in the hard-to-reach areas of your teeth before it becomes tartar, which…

What Is Composite Filling?

If you want to take the next step in optimising your smile, a cosmetic dental procedure might be the right way to go. But which procedure is best? This week,…

What Is a Veneer?

If you want to take the next step in optimising your smile, a cosmetic dental procedure might be the right way to go. But which procedure? Over the following weeks…