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 don’t interdigitate properly, you have […]

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, and they replicate exponentially very […]

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 to see how deep the […]

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 with the formation of plaque. […]

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 tooth is to think of […]

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 histology. As humans, we all […]

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 for ALL patients to have excellent home care after we have done an excellent job of removing the tartar for them.  In my quest for […]

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 a small family practice in North Phoenix.   I quickly learned that gingivitis and periodontitis were much more prevalent than I had imagined they would be. […]

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 was pretty much my story, just with a different football team. Then reality set in.  With the Army Reserve only paying for 50% of my […]