The surest way to ensure your best oral health is to visit a professional. During a preventative visit, twice a year, an oral exam is performed to check for signs of gum disease and cavities.
Professional hygienists use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar, while also checking for signs of oral cancer, and assessing your current dental state, including bone structure. Your team of dental professionals will likely be able to detect oral health problems much sooner than you can. Treating decay and gum diseases early will reduce your long term potential for health problems.