Definition
An at home procedure to identify areas of
dental plaque, which can assess the thoroughness of brushing
and flossing. Dental plaque is a sticky substance composed of
millions of bacteria. Dental plaque collects around and
between teeth. It is the major cause of tooth
decay and gum disease (gingivitis)
and is hard to see because it is whitish colored like the
teeth.
How the test is performed
There are 2 methods to
perform this test. One method is with disclosing tablets. One
tablet is chewed thoroughly, moving the mixture of saliva and
dye over the teeth and gums for about 30 seconds. The tablet
contains a red dye that will color the plaque. The mouth is
then rinsed with water and the teeth are examined to identify
pink-stained areas (unremoved plaque). A small dental mirror
may help to check all areas.
The second method is a
plaque light. With this method, a special fluorescent solution
is swirled around the mouth. The mouth is rinsed gently with
water, and the teeth and gums are examined while shining an
ultraviolet plaque light into the mouth. The advantage of this
method is that it leaves no pink stains in the mouth.
However in the office, dentists are often able to detect
plaque through a thorough examination with dental instruments.
How to prepare for the test
Brush and floss your
teeth thoroughly.
Infants and children:
The physical
and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any
test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests,
previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific
information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the
following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
How the test will feel
Your mouth may feel
slightly dried out after use of the dye.
Risks
There may be a residual pink discoloration
of the lips and cheeks when the disclosing tablets are used.
This discoloration is temporary.
Why is the test done
The test is performed to
help identify missed plaque and improve brushing and flossing
of the teeth so that areas of plaque are not left. If the
plaque is not removed, it can cause tooth
decay or cause the gums to bleed easily (gingivitis)
and become red or swollen.
See also:
- gums, bleeding
- gums, swollen
Normal values
No plaque or food debris will be seen
on the teeth.
What abnormal results mean
The disclosing tablets
will stain areas of plaque a dark red. The plaque light
solution will color the plaque a brilliant orange-yellow. The
colored areas show where the brushing and flossing have
missed. These areas need to be brushed again to get rid of the
stained plaque.
Special Considerations
The disclosing tablets may
color the mouth and tongue red for a day. It is suggested that
it be used at night so that the color will be gone by morning.
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