In the fight against dental decay there are several key defences. The most important is regular and correct brushing and flossing of teeth. Brushing and flossing help to fight plaque, a filmy substance made up of bacteria and other debris, that covers the teeth and attacks the enamel. If plaque is not removed by brushing it will break down enamel causing tooth decay. This can lead to painful toothaches and abscesses that can lead to tooth loss. Flossing is particularly important for removing plaque and food debris from between teeth that causes tooth decay and is also responsible for 90 per cent of cases of bad breath. If allowed to remain plaque will also transform into tartar, a hard yellow/brown substance that also destroys enamel but that is impossible to remove by conventional cleaning.

Behind effective tooth cleaning and good oral hygiene in the fight against dental disease is regular dental check ups. Dentists recommend a dental check up every six months. Check ups are very important as dentists will be able to regularly examine for the first signs of dental decay. Even the most effective cleaning regimes can be susceptible to decay and it is impossible to tell if you have early onset tooth decay or gum disease without examination by a dentist. As with all things to do with dental health, and health in general, the earlier you catch a disease, the easier it is to treat.

Dentists will not only check for evidence of tooth decay and gum disease but can also carry out for routine checks for all types of oral cancer. A simple mouth check can catch oral cancer early, giving you a greater than 80 per cent chance of surviving this particularly virulent form of the disease. Half an hour every six months is a small price to pay to win the battle against dental disease and oral cancer. Make an appointment with a City of Leeds dentist today and it might save you years of costly and painful treatment in the future.