Do you want to keep your smile beautiful, white and healthy? With a few minutes a day and a couple of visits Dr. Azar-Mehr's Los Angeles dental practice each year, you can. It's all about prevention. Brush your teeth often, floss your teeth well, and get your teeth cleaned professionally at the dentist's every six months. That's what Grandma told you when you were a child, and Grandma was right. If you keep following her advice, you'll probably keep your original teeth a lot longer than she did.

Why is it vital to visit the dentist for periodic cleanings? First, that makes it easier for your dentist to ensure the health of your teeth. Cavities can be detected and repaired promptly. Second, and just as importantly, regular cleanings remove plaque and tartar that not only detract from the luster of your teeth but also eat away at your dental health, promoting tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.

Crowns, bridges and partial dentures don't diminish the need for regular cleanings. If anything, they make the need greater, for you should want to make sure that they stay strong, firm and in place. The last thing you should want is to have them damaged.

Daily brushing and flossing will make your teeth cleanings easier. View the few minutes a day you spend taking care of your teeth as a cheap investment of time to keep the teeth healthier and easier to clean.