Disclosing tablets aren’t the only product containing a special dye that reveals plaque. Factors to consider when choosing a plaque disclosing product are the age of the person using it and the strength of the dye.

Yes, plaque disclosing tablets are safe for kids and adults. The only potential risk of using them is their ability to stain your clothing or bathroom fixtures. 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. Self-care is vitally important to prevent and manage plaque-induced periodontitis [footnote 5] ( Chapter 2: Table 2). For people with periodontal diseases this becomes vitally important throughout the rest of life and good oral hygiene may take longer than the recommended 2 minutes. The patient’s existing method of brushing may need to be modified to clean all tooth surfaces systematically, maximise plaque removal and to brush the gum line carefully [footnote 6]. No particular technique has been shown to be better than another [footnote 7]. Disclosing tablets can help to indicate areas that are being missed. For people with extensive inflammation, it is good practice to start with toothbrushing advice, followed by interdental plaque control [footnote 8]. A 2013 national survey [footnote 2] found that only a quarter of children benefited from having their teeth brushed before they were 6 months of age, whereas about 50% had commenced between 6 months and one year of age. Overall about 90% of children (aged 5 to 8 years) are reported as having started toothbrushing by 2 years of age [footnote 2]. Overall, 77% of 12-year-olds and 81% of 15-year-olds reported that they brushed their teeth twice daily or more. Mouthwash was the most common aid other than a toothbrush (manual or powered) and toothpaste. As expected, the use of mouthwashes, dental floss (the only interdental cleaning method investigated) and sugar-free gum was generally higher in older children. Approximately 40% of the school children surveyed used a powered toothbrush. Oral hygiene principles for oral healthPlaque disclosing tablets have many benefits, but they also come with some disadvantages. Pros of Plaque Disclosing Tablets If you’re after the best, choose Bite Toothpaste Bits or protect your teeth with fluoride and keep an eye on your finances with Ecoliving Toothpaste Tablets with Fluoride. What to Look For in Toothpaste Tabs Dropping in a premeasured tablet is easy and can work in a pinch, but you should also consider the cost per use. An all-purpose household cleaner is often more cost-efficient. Always consult the manufacturer's cleaning guidelines before using a denture tablet on porous surfaces, uncoated metals, or fabrics since it contains bleaching agents. Many toothpaste tablets also come in glass jars, which is useful as tooth tabs need to be kept in a sealed container to stop them absorbing moisture and going crumbly. Just be aware that although metal and glass can be recycled indefinitely, unlike plastic which degrades significantly each time, recycling still requires a significant energy input. Delivering Better Oral Health has been developed with the support of the 4 UK Chief Dental Officers.

Mouth rinses often contain a disclosing agent that’s less noticeable than tablets. This can make it harder to see the dye on your teeth. This guidance is issued jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care, the Welsh Government, the Department of Health Northern Ireland, Public Health England, NHS England and NHS Improvement, and with the support of the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry. Say goodbye to plastic pollution and continue saying hello to fresh, minty breath with these easy-to-use toothpaste tabs. While they don’t contain fluoride (an ingredient used in traditional toothpaste to prevent tooth decay), they are instead made with fluoride-alternative nano-hydroxyapatite. This mineral has been scientifically proven to help remineralize your teeth—aka dentist-speak for leaving your teeth strong and free of cavities and decay.

Disclosing tablets help develop good brushing habits by revealing areas where plaque has accumulated on the teeth. They make it easier to see places you missed during brushing and flossing. Use a fluoridated rinse afterwards to prevent cavities, as rinsing after brushing with a toothpaste will negate any anti-cavity properties of the toothpaste.

Dental disclosing tablets contain a harmless pink or purple dye that reacts with plaque on your teeth. Chewing a tablet activates the dye, temporarily revealing plaque that remains in your mouth after you brush and floss.

Pharmacy product

Oral hygiene practices include toothbrushing and the use of other aids for cleaning teeth. Toothbrushing is widely practiced across the UK. In a 2009 national survey of adults [footnote 1], more women reported cleaning their teeth at least twice a day than men (82% compared with 67%). Three quarters (76%) of dentate adults reported using toothpaste with 1,350 to 1,500 parts per million level of fluoride and a further 18 per cent used a brand with a medium (1,000 to 1,350 parts per million) fluoride level. Most dentate adults (58%) used additional products as well as a standard toothpaste and brush, the most common of which were mouthwash (31%), powered toothbrushes (26%) and dental floss (21%). Women and middle-aged adults were more likely to use additional products than men, younger and very old adults (85 years and over). Studies show orthodontic patients who use plaque disclosing tablets at home have less plaque and healthier gums than those who don’t. 1 The risk of dental caries (Chapter 4) and periodontal diseases (Chapter 5) can both be reduced by the practice of regular careful oral hygiene involving toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste. The particular benefit in preventing dental caries, relates to the fluoride in toothpaste (Chapter 9). Good oral hygiene reduces the risk of periodontal diseases; however, periodontal health also requires effective interproximal plaque removal. Oral hygiene advice for the population in general, and specific advice for those at higher risk, are presented below for each oral condition. Dental caries