Plaque forms every day in our mouths from the food left there after eating. The bacteria in it produce acid, which can erode tooth enamel and cause tooth decay or infect the gums and cause gum disease.

Twice daily plaque removal with brushing and interdental cleaning keeps bacteria growth under control, so a quick swish of your toothbrush across your teeth won’t be enough. The soft, sticky consistency of plaque enables it to hide in hard to reach places below the gum line, irregular biting surfaces, or under overhanging restorations.

Because plaque has a color similar to your teeth, it’s hard to tell if you’ve successfully removed it. That’s where disclosing agents can help. These are solutions, swabs or tablets, with a dye that temporarily stains plaque while not staining tooth surfaces. Dr Kaufman uses them to show patients where they’re missing, when brushing and flossing, but you can also use them at home to see how you’re doing.

To find out if there is plaque after brushing and flossing, chew the disclosing tableting for example or swish the solution around your mouth for about thirty seconds and then spit it out. The dye will stain the plaque in a bright red color. There are even disclosing solutions that can display older plaque in a different color from newer plaque.

Once noticing the stained plaque in a mirror, brush and floss until you don’t see it anymore. The red stainig dye is safe in the mouth, but you should avoid swallowing or getting it on your clothes. Any dye on your lips, gums or tongue will eventually wear off in a few hours.

If you would like more information on how to perform effective oral hygiene, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.