Brushing your teeth after meals and between-meal snacks not only gets rid of food particles, it removes plaque, the sticky film that forms on teeth. Plaque is made up of bacteria that produce acids that cause tooth decay and gum disease, so thorough removal of plaque is the main goal of brushing.

When your dentist or hygienist looks in your mouth, he or she is not only looking for the signs of tooth decay and gum disease, but also for signs of systemic diseases – as your mouth is often a good indicator of your overall health.

Regular dental exams are an important part of preventive dental care. During a dental exam, your dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth and identify gum inflammation or bone loss.

Cavities are decayed areas of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called tooth decay, are caused by a combination of factors, including not brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks and overall poor dental care.

Periodontal disease affects nearly 80 percent of the adult population. Periodontal diseases are bacterial infections that affect the tissues and bone that support teeth.