Brushing your teeth twice daily is extremely important to maintain excellent oral health. However, there are also a number of other steps you should be taking to safeguard your teeth. These include flossing daily and avoiding the consumption of large quantities of sugary food or drinks. In addition, it is also important to see a dental professional every six months to remove the stubborn calculus. Unlike plaque which can be easily removed through regular brushing and flossing, tartar can only be removed in a dentist’s office that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. Tartar (calculus) harbour dental plaque which full of bacteria, the resulting bacteria (if left untreated) can cause irreversible damage to the gums and supporting bone around the teeth. This often leads to early tooth loss and other health related issues.  Just remember, gum disease is a “silent disease”. The good news is gum disease is preventable with regular cleans from your dentist.