Disclosing tablets are made of a harmless vegetable dye that stains plaque bright red. You can purchase these tablets at any convenience stores like Kroger and Walmart.

The main cause of cavities and periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque. Plaque is the sticky film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth. It’s hard to see plaque, but it really shows up after being stained with disclosing tablets.

You must completely remove plaque each day, or it will build up and mineralize to become tartar, which is also called calculus. It takes a professional to remove tartar. There’s no way for you to remove it at home—a toothbrush or floss won’t even budge it.

Disclosing tablets can help you prevent cavities and periodontal disease by helping you see the plaque that hasn’t been removed. Then you can remove it before it hardens to become tartar.

After brushing and flossing, simply chew a disclosing tablet, swish it around your mouth, and rinse with water. Using a small dental mirror, check your teeth for any signs of red, especially near the gum line. Brush and floss these missed areas and you can be confident that your teeth are plaque-free.

When teaching your child how to brush the teeth or when checking to see if your child has brushed properly, the disclosing tablets are helpful. They reveal the areas that are missed when brushing. Your child’s brushing technique can improve significantly since he or she can “see” where is the plaque located.