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Everyone, including the most dedicated toothbrushers and flossers, have dental plaque constantly forming on their teeth and gums, even straight after you have brushed, flossed, and rinsed. In fact, whilst you read this article, you and everyone around you will have plaque forming (on a microscopic level) in each of our mouths.
Unremoved dental plaque can lead to a variety of nasty dental conditions and can even affect your general health and well-being. Fortunately, with the help of plaque disclosing tablets and solutions, detecting plaque in your mouth is simple and can be quite fun and satisfying. Learn how to use plaque disclosing tablets and how they can help you protect your smile.
What is plaque?
To understand plaque disclosure, it’s important to understand what plaque is. Dentists identify plaque as a super sticky biofilm which is constantly forming in your mouth and on your teeth and gums. Plaque is difficult to see and is often only felt as a ‘furry’ deposit once a significant amount has accumulated on the teeth or gums.
If plaque is not removed it can lead to dental cavities, bleeding gums, bad breath, and gum disease. It is important to remove dental plaque before it begins to harden and form calculus or tartar. Dental calculus can then only be removed by using special dental equipment by a Dental Professional and if left unremoved, can cause gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease).
What is a plaque disclosing tablet?
Plaque disclosing tablets are small chewable tablets containing a harmless vegetable dye which adheres to any dental plaque. Plaque disclosing tablets work by identifying areas that may have been missed after completing your oral hygiene routine. Plaque disclosing tablets are a great educational tool to discover missed areas and to improve brushing and flossing skills long term.
Plaque disclosing tablets are available in a variety of delicious flavours and depending on the brand, can show both new (red) and old plaque (purple) – some tablets will simply show all plaque as one colour, red.
What is a plaque disclosing tablet?
Disclosing solutions and gels still show plaque in the same way as a disclosing tablet, however, are available in a gel or liquid form which requires no chewing of a tablet making it easier to use, particularly for young children. Disclosing toothpastes combine two steps (disclosing and toothbrushing) into one by combining plaque disclosing ingredients with toothpaste to help simplify the toothbrushing process (and make it more fun). Again, Like tablets, plaque disclosing solutions and toothpastes are also available in a variety of flavours.
Why is Plaque Disclosing Important?
This is the million-dollar question! Plaque disclosing products can help you determine if there are parts of your mouth that you are not brushing well enough. Although commonly used for children, plaque disclosing products can be used by all age groups and are often used by patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment such as braces. Even if you believe you are brushing and flossing your teeth well, using a plaque disclosing product at least once a week is a simple and quick test to show how well you are cleaning your teeth. Even the best brushers are often quite surprised by the areas missed when using a disclosing product for the first time.
How to use plaque disclosing products
Using plaque disclosing products is simple and can be easily added to your morning or evening brushing routine. They can be used before or after (or both) toothbrushing and flossing to either identify missed areas after brushing, or areas to focus on before brushing.
Using plaque disclosing tablets
- Brush, floss, and rinse mouth
- Chew one tablet, swish around for 30 seconds (avoid swallowing)
- Expel, spit and rinse mouth with water
- Remove the coloured areas by brushing and flossing.
Using plaque disclosing solutions and gels
- Brush, floss, and rinse mouth
- Place 2-3 drops of gel/solution on tongue, swish around for 30 seconds (avoid swallowing)
- Expel, spit and rinse mouth with water
- Remove the coloured areas by brushing and flossing.
Using plaque disclosing toothpaste
- Brush teeth with plaque disclosing toothpaste
- Rinse mouth thoroughly with water
- Remove the coloured areas by brushing and flossing. These can be further illuminated by using a blue light (supplied with some disclosing toothpaste products).
Best Plaque Disclosing Products
See our top plaque disclosing product recommendations below:
Best Plaque Disclosing Tablet
Caredent plaque disclosing tablets are red coloured, raspberry tablets available in 10pks and 100pks. TePe Plaqusearch tablets show old and new plaque and are available in both 10pks and 100pks.
Best Plaque Disclosing Solution
PDS Plaque Disclosing Solution is available in single and two tone (shows old and new plaque) varieties. Perfect for children who may have issues with chewing a tablet.
Best Plaque Disclosing Toothpaste
Piksters Plaque Glo toothpaste is a tropical flavoured toothpaste with Blue LED light to illuminate left-behind plaque after brushing.
Ready to Start Plaque Disclosing?
The House of Mouth™ offers a large range of professional plaque disclosing tablets, gels, solutions, and toothpastes which are used and recommended by Dental Practitioners throughout the world.
Explore our range and place your order online with worldwide delivery options available to your door. Need assistance in selecting a disclosing product for yourself or children, pop in and visit us at our Gold Coast studio or alternatively Contact Us and our experienced team are more than happy to assist.
Discover our Disclosing Product Range, start disclosing and get your tooth brushing and flossing up to scratch today.
Oral Health and Product Advice
Have questions about the products recommended to you by your Dental Professional or need help selecting a product suited to your needs – one of our Dental Professionals will be more than happy to help – Contact Us today.
(07) 55 34 8603
