When you brush and floss, the goal is to remove deposits of plaque, which contain hundreds of kinds of oral bacteria. After a while, though, plaque can calcify into tartar, and to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, you will need to attend a preventive appointment to have your teeth professionally cleaned and examined. Other preventive treatments also focus on helping children develop strong, healthy adult teeth, and to prevent certain issues like bruxism from compromising your teeth and oral structures.