Regular dental checkups that include routine cleanings should become a part of your family plan for overall health maintenance. Poor oral health has been proven to be closely related to other physical conditions and disease. A thorough dental exam for example, will include screening for oral cancers that can be life threatening if not diagnosed early enough. The best way to prevent gum disease is to keep your teeth clear of plaque or tartar buildup. Brushing and flossing are good deterrents, but home care is not sufficient to remove all the everyday plaque that gathers on the teeth. Only a dental hygienist has the tools that can get to those hard to reach places between and around the teeth. Once plaque hardens to tartar the only way to treat it is with a professional cleaning. Advanced periodontitis can possibly lead to cardiovascular problems but keeping up with dental care can help prevent both. Any dental procedure becomes easier if it can be done before the particular problem has time to advance. A small surface cavity can even be reversed if treated at the earliest stage. Your dentist may also be able to detect a weakened tooth before it cracks or see that a filling needs to be replaced. The bottom line is that prevention is the key to good oral health. Make and keep regular family checkups with your dentist and dental hygienist . Call Compass Dental @ 828-358-2555 to make that appointment today.