Part of this bare minimum includes making sensible food choices. Any foods that augment muscle and bone growth are generally recommended for teeth and gums. A common sense diet rich in B Vitamins, calcium, manganese, zinc, Vitamin C is recommended, while excess glucose (and other sugars) should be avoided.

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.

The main thing your dentist will do is clean your teeth and gums. This sounds simple, but as gum disease accounts for about 35% of adult tooth loss, prevention is still the best medicine. Good dentists will also recommend that you clean your tongue, a practice also espoused in Ayurvedic (East Indian) medicine as a vital health practice. Tongue cleaning gets rid of the layer of bacteria, fungi, and decaying food cells that regularly enshroud the tongue.

Polishing is the final step of a good dental cleaning, and involves two main kinds of polishers: the prophy jet polisher and the rubber tip polish with prophy paste. 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. Rubber tip polishing normally implements a polishing paste made of abrasive materials that remove stains.

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 can sometimes be a painful process requiring local anesthesia.

People with heart problems or diabetes need to consult their physician before undergoing certain types of procedures related to dental cleanings, but don't let your fear of the dentist override your common sense. A cleaning today (or twice yearly) can stave off severe oral health problems tomorrow.