Dental cleaning is quite a bit more than just brushing twice a day. Inadequate dental cleaning can lead to a variety of related health issues, such as tartar buildup on the enamel surfaces of your teeth, encouragement of anaerobic destructive bacteria, calcium or bone loss, and increased potential for the acquisition of chronic illness. Many of these symptoms are almost unidentifiable until is too late. Now that you're listening, a qualified dentist or hygienist should do your dental cleaning, preferably every six months. Professional dental cleaning can be broken down into three main subcategories, namely: scaling, root planning, and polishing. You do your homework, and you provide your children with calcium-rich foods that are not too high in sugars. You stock the pantry with cereals and grains high in B Vitamins. You make consistently sensible food choices, because you know that any foods that augment muscle and bone growth are generally recommended for teeth and gums. Electric scaling was the first technological breakthrough, though dentists still recommend that electric scaling be accompanied by manual scaling. Even more recently, ultrasonic scaling has been developed using a machine called a cavitron to remove excess plaque. However, ultrasonic scaling typically removes only 50% of plaque, and manual scaling is recommended in conjunction with both electric and ultrasonic techniques. In recent years, laser techniques have been developed to remove pockets of plaque residing near or below the gum line, but these often require local anesthesia. Root planning is basically gum work, the cleaning of pockets to prevent further development of periodontal or gum disease. When gums are inflamed, the pockets tend to become deeper, making it much easier for them to trap plaque deposits, further worsening the condition of the gums. Root planning is the manual scaling of the gum pockets to protect the gums from excess plaque buildup, and can sometimes be a painful process requiring local anesthesia. If a child's teeth are developing normally, this visit can be put off longer. However, if the tendency toward developing cavities is deemed to be genetic, so if the parents have had a history of cavities, it is better to get the child into a dentist earlier, in order to establish a sensible oral hygiene routine. Also, children whose teeth show staining, crowding, or other abnormalities should go to a dentist before the age of three. Routine dental cleanings are your first line of defense against oral cancers, gum disease, ulceration, and easily avoidable oral health problems such as bad breath (halitosis), gingivitis, tartar (calculus) buildup, and tooth decay. While brushing and flossing alone can remove as much as 70% of the plaque on your teeth, the other 30% lurks in areas that are harder to reach, and professional cleanings are the most sensible preventive medicine. Polishing is the final step of a good dental cleaning. Prophy jet polishing works but spraying powered water mixed with baking soda on the teeth. The powered water helps remove any excess plaque, and the baking soda neutralizes acidic conditions in the mouth while simultaneously fighting stains. Your dentist is equipped with the knowledge and the technology to optimize your own personal dental hygiene program for maximum success. So, please, every six months, get thee to a dentist! Ornella actually knows what she is talking about. You can find more about (http://www.dentalwellnessblog.com/?s=bleeding+gums) bleeding gums and (http://hubpages.com/hub/dental-hygiene) dental hygiene here.