If you find it difficult to make sure your children are brushing enough after every meal, fret no more. Disclosing tablets are an effective educational tool to teach children how to brush, and are also good for adults who want to be virtually 100% sure that their teeth are plaque-free, says Dr. Jimmy Wu of Sutra Dental Spa in La Mesa, California.
Many parents find it difficult to ascertain how well their children are brushing their teeth, especially when their kids are young. That is one benefit of disclosing tablets, which when chewed stain teeth a bright red color where plaque is evident. (They are made of a vegetable dye that is completely harmless, and can be brushed away.) When parents and children are brushing together, disclosing tablets can be a great educational tool.
With disclosing tablets, you see where all the plaque and tartar is, and identify areas that need to be improved upon. Plaque tends to harden as it accumulates, forming sticky film of food debris and bacteria that becomes tartar when it hardens. Unfortunately, when it has reached that stage, it can only be taken off by a dentist. So, it is much better to get rid of plaque before it hardens.
Even adults can benefit from these tablets. Once you finish brushing and flossing, chew a tablet and use a small, hand-held mirror to see where any red stains are visible, in particular near the gum line. Brush the stains away and there’ll be no more plaque on your teeth.
If you don’t like the idea of chewing a tablet (which you can get from any pharmacy or directly from your dentist), try other products such as a disclosing rinse or disclosing swabs. Swish the rinse around your mouth for about 30 seconds and it will have the same effect as tablets, showing up red where there is plaque. Swabs can be applied to all tooth surfaces in your mouth.
We usually use disclosing tablets in the dental office to show our patients areas on their teeth that they may be routinely missing when they brush, and where plaque can accumulate. Tablets, swabs and rinses are all good dental tools, either preventative or educational.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
