Join us as we explore how this simple yet effective tool can help you uncover the hidden secrets of plaque on your teeth, revealing areas that need extra attention in your oral hygiene routine.
Get ready as we show you how to become your own oral health detective!
Episode Highlights:
- Introduction to Disclosing Solutions:
- Discover what disclosing solutions are, how they work, and why they are a valuable asset in maintaining optimal oral health.
- The Science behind Staining: We will Delve into the science behind disclosing solutions, understanding the dye composition and how it selectively stains plaque on your teeth.
- The Detective’s Toolkit: Explore different types of disclosing solutions available in the market, their application methods, and tips for choosing the right one for your needs.
- Unmasking the Plaque: Learn how to properly use a disclosing solution, step-by-step, to reveal the plaque hiding on your teeth. We’ll guide you through the process and share best practices for accurate results.
- Decoding the Stains: Interpret the stained areas on your teeth and decipher their meaning. We’ll discuss common patterns and what they indicate about your oral hygiene habits.
- Improving Your Dental Detective Skills: With expert tips and tricks for maintaining optimal oral hygiene based on the information revealed by the disclosing solution. Discover effective brushing and flossing tools and techniques to target those trouble spots.
- Beyond Plaque: Explore additional ways of identifying and evaluating the effectiveness of your daily habits, routines and more.
Each and every one of us has habits we do daily both conscious and subconscious.
Our lives are built on hundreds of tiny habits that we do whether we even know we’re doing them.
Those habits either hurt us or help us, and our world is a direct reflection of them.
Many habits are often so small that you don’t notice the impact right away. But over time they make all the difference.
Fortunately, we have the power to change bad habits and add good habits.
Our health directly impacts the quality of our lives. No one wants to spend their days tired and sick.
We get one body and it lasts this lifetime, so why not take care of it to the best of your ability.
Better habits and routines benefit your life in every way. Even by adding small daily actions, you’re building the foundation to a happy healthy life.
For most people oral health, which includes tooth brushing and flossing are a part of those daily habits.
First, what is dental plaque?
Dental plaque is a biofilm which naturally builds up on teeth throughout the day. The bacteria in plaque consume food particles in our mouths, producing enamel-weakening acids in the process.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can cause dental problems such as cavities and tooth decay. Unfortunately, many of our patients have problems with plaque as it’s very hard to see which makes it easy to miss.
The good news, however, is there are a variety of methods you can use to fight plaque. The obvious tools to reduce plaque are your toothbrush and floss, but another not-so-obvious tool is disclosing agents.
These agents work by staining your plaque red, blue or purple thereby helping you to see it and get rid of it.
If not removed with proper brushing and flossing, plaque can harden into tartar, which can only be removed with a professional dental cleaning.
Bacterial plaque is a soft, sticky, almost invisible biofilm containing millions of organisms that adhere to tooth surfaces, dental appliances, restorations, and oral mucosa.
More specifically, oral biofilm is “a transparent, non mineralized mass of bacterial colonies in an enclosed matrix that is attached to a moist surface.” Unless removed, these bacteria can cause dental caries and periodontal diseases.
Oral biofilm or plaque is often hard to visualize, especially in difficult-to-reach areas of the mouth.
What are disclosing agents?
Plaque Disclosing Products Show Your Dental Skills and how you can tell that you’ve successfully removed plaque after brushing and flossing your teeth?
You may actually see some food particles, but you may not see the plaque, which is sticky but colorless.
With disclosing Now You See It!
They are great products to teach your child how to brush their teeth effectively.
Plaque disclosing products contain a harmless dye that reacts with the plaque that may remain on areas of the teeth after brushing and flossing.
Whether it is a liquid, tablet, or gel, remaining oral biofilm can be identified and measured by a disclosing agent.
When you see the dyed areas, you can identify trouble spots to focus on.
What are disclosing tablets?
Plaque disclosing tablets are made from compressed powder. When you chew on them they dissolve in your mouth, but you don’t swallow, instead, you spread the dissolved tablet around. The dye from the tablet won’t stick to your tooth enamel, but it will stick to any plaque that you missed while brushing. Usually red in color.
Plaque Disclosing Tablets for Kids
Chewable plaque tablets are fine for both children and adults to use, although children may only need to use half a tablet at a time. Kids might be more picky about the taste of them, so try switching brands if your child doesn’t like the first ones you try.
Disclosing gives them more motivation to brush thoroughly by turning it into a competition with you or their sibling—brush together and then use a tablet to see whose teeth are cleaner.
Alternatively, children may benefit from using an electric toothbrush which is specially designed for their age.
Where can you buy plaque disclosing tablets?
If you’re looking for ways to develop better brushing habits yourself, or maybe for your children, you might be wondering where to buy plaque disclosing tablets.
The good news is, plaque disclosing tablets for teeth aren’t hard to find. You can find them online like on Amazon, along with plenty of helpful reviews.
I have used food coloring and cake pens for kids that are allergic to red dye.
The use of a disclosing agent is a valuable oral hygiene tool, as it distinctly reveals plaque on the tooth surface.
You can’t see the plaque on your teeth!
So how do you know if you are removing all the plaque from your teeth? This is why it’s very important to brush your teeth twice a day to remove all of the plaque.
This Brushing Basics Box contains Pink Tablets called disclosing tablets. The tablets work like magic to help you know that you are doing a good job brushing your teeth.
How do you use them?
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a disclosing solution:
All you have to do is follow these easy directions!
Step 1: First, Brush your teeth! (Just like you would normally)
Step 2: Chew up the tablet, swish it around your mouth, then spit it out! Rinse your mouth! Do not swallow the tablet! (Your teeth, lips, tongue, and mouth may be pink!)
CAUTION: These tablets can stain! Quickly rinse off items like toothbrush, clothes and sink.
Parental supervision is recommended.
Step 3: Look at your teeth closely. If you see pink, that means there is still plaque on your teeth…. even AFTER you brushed! That’s the magic of the tablets!
Step 4: Brush your teeth and tongue again until all the pink is off! Keep brushing until there is no pink left on your teeth or gums! Now your teeth are nice and clean!
How much pink did you have on your teeth? Post a picture in the group.
Try doing this once a week until you get so good at brushing that you have NO pink on your teeth after the FIRST time you brush!
If you run out of the magic pink tablets, don’t worry! You can reorder more with the link on the resource page or make your own plaque revealing solution. All you need is 4 drops of food coloring mixed with 2 tablespoons of water. Then follow the simple steps above!
Tip. For less mess or more controlled use, dip a cotton swab in the solution and apply to each tooth individually.
Remember, It is a visual aid to help you identify areas that require more attention during your oral care routine. Maintaining good oral hygiene practices and visiting your dentist regularly are crucial for a healthy smile.
If you or a loved one are getting cavities it may not be due to the fact that you are not brushing and flossing enough. You may have a mouth breathing, pH problem or both?
Book a call, let’s get to the root cause. www.shereewertz.com/15-min
Until next time, keep investigating, keep smiling, and keep your teeth shining!”
