Plaque, the soft yellowish build-up on your teeth, is made up of a biofilm of bacteria. This build-up can lead to cavities and gum disease. Regular dental cleanings by your hygienist reduces your chance of getting cavities or gum disease by reducing the amount of plaque in your mouth. Your teeth need cleaning more often if *you eat a lot of sweets, *avoid flossing, *brush your teeth less than twice a day, *suffer from a chronic long-term health condition or *suffer from a dry mouth. Research shows people who visit a dental hygienist at least once a year for preventative care are happier with their smile.