A great product to teach your child how to brush their teeth for effectively.” Plaque disclosing tablets for kids Shelf life: Although tablets usually have a long shelf life, they will expire eventually. If buying in bulk to get a better price, make sure you will use them all in time. Healthwise. "Self-Examination for Dental Plaque." WebMD.com. June 9, 2010. (Nov. 5, 2011) http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/self-examination-for-dental-plaque

In the UK, chewable tablets are by far the most widely available product to reveal plaque on teeth. Liquid rinses are harder to find, while toothpastes are, for the most part, still making their way over from the US.Your dentist may recommend plaque disclosing tablets to enhance your home oral hygiene routine. You can use them as often as every day to ensure you remove all the plaque from your teeth. Pros and Cons of Disclosing Tablets Piksters Plaque GLO is a good option if you don't like the red or blue color left behind by tablets (and the unwanted staining it can cause). The plaque dye isn't visible until you shine a special light on your teeth—only then can you see the areas that need further brushing or flossing. Effective dental plaque removal can be challenging, especially for children and people with braces. Disclosing tablets can help show where the plaque has accumulated, making it easier to remove the plaque. There are various products that you can use to show plaque on teeth and discover which areas you need to brush more carefully. Chewable plaque disclosing tablets are most widely available, and suitable for most children and adults. Rinses and toothpastes are also an option, if you prefer.

But in fact, anyone can use plaque disclosing tablets to reveal plaque left behind after brushing. Even teenagers and adults who think they do a good job brushing their teeth might be surprised at what they're missing. The problem is, plaque is very hard to see since it is translucent or pale yellow. You might be able to feel it with your tongue as it can make teeth feel slimy or rough, but it's hard to know if you're doing a good job of removing all the plaque on your teeth (or your child's teeth) when you brush and floss. Use your tongue to help wipe the saliva and disclosing agent across all of your upper and lower teeth. Chewable plaque revealing tablets are the most common type of discloser. They are hard tablets of compressed powder, similar in size to the paracetamol or ibuprofen you might be used to taking. But rather than wash them straight down, you keep them in your mouth and chew them.You can also use dental disclosing tablets before brushing your teeth, to see how dirty they really are. This can be a helpful tactic for children who are complaining about having to brush in the first place! Another study in the International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry points out that dental plaque disclosing can be an effective strategy in infants to prevent early childhood caries (ECC).

Healthwise. "Plaque." WebMD.com. April 18, 2011. (Nov. 5, 2011) http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/plaque-dental The tablets themselves don't do anything to make teeth cleaner; you still need to make an effort to brush the areas you've been neglecting. However, they do help improve brushing habits.Now, let's look at the different plaque disclosing products available in the UK. Products that show plaque on teeth

You can also use disclosing tablets before brushing your teeth, to see how dirty they really are. This can be a helpful tactic for children who are complaining about having to brush in the first place! You can find dental plaque disclosing tablets in pharmacies, supermarkets, dental surgeries and online. They cost around 12p – 15p per tablet, depending on the brand and quantity you buy. Our guide to children's oral health has more information and tips for taking care of children's teeth. Plaque disclosing mouthwashSpit the leftover disclosing agent into the sink with the water running, rinsing any dye down the drain. If you have any form of gum disease like periodontitis or gingivitis, disclosing tablets are excellent idea for determining the level of plaque around your gum line. Even a small amount of plaque left over can aggravate your condition. Colgate. "Plaque: What is it and How do We Get Rid of It?" (Nov. 4, 2011) http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/Oral-and-Dental-Health-Basics/Common-Concerns/Plaque-and-Tartar/article/Plaque-What-is-it-and-How-do-we-get-rid-of-it.cvsp