Professional teeth cleanings are the most cost effective way to ensure your dental health. There are two foreign materials that form on your teeth. One is plaque which is a soft film of bacteria which can be removed by tooth brushing. The second material is calculus which is a hard but porous mineral deposit which harbors bacteria. This hard deposit cannot be brushed off of your teeth and only a dentist has the tools necessary to safely remove it. A continual buildup of bacteria harboring calculus will contribute to gum disease over time. The symptoms of gum disease include bleeding gums, halitosis, and loose teeth.