Dental plaque is a sticky bacterial residue that forms on your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth uses sugar that you eat to produce a sticky substance that allows it to adhere to the teeth. They then colonize on the teeth and use more sugar to produce acids and toxins that are the root cause of cavities and gum disease. By removing this bacterial film on a daily basis, you can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. One problem with dental plaque is that it is invisible. The good news is that it can be stained with plaque disclosing tablets. Made of a harmless vegetable dye, a tablet is chewed and then swished for 30 seconds. What is left behind are brightly colored areas of plaque.

Plaque made visible by tablet

Surprise! Just when you thought that you were doing a great job with brushing and flossing, you see all the areas you miss. It’s amazing how many nooks and crannies that plaque can hide out in. Brush and floss again, then chew another tablet. It’s amazing how much better a job you can do when you can see what you are cleaning off. Plaque disclosing tablets are a great aid in training yourself to do a thorough, yet efficient job of daily oral hygiene.