The pink tablet trick: see exactly where brushing misses
Disclosing tablets turn leftover plaque pink. Once a week, they turn brushing into a treasure hunt.
Plaque is almost the same colour as teeth, so neither children nor parents can see what was missed. Disclosing tablets contain a food-safe dye that sticks to plaque and stains it pink or purple.
How to use them
- Brush as normal.
- Chew one tablet, swish it around for 30 seconds and spit.
- Look in the mirror together. Anything pink is plaque that stayed behind.
- Brush again until the pink is gone.
What you'll usually find
Most children miss the same places every time: along the gumline, the back molars and the tongue side of the lower teeth. Knowing which places are missed is far more useful than being told to "brush better".
Do it once a week, on the same day. Weekend mornings work well - and the dye can stain, so keep an old towel handy.
Make brushing predictable at home
A brushing calendar, a 2-minute spell timer, streaks and awards for kids — free, no sign-up.
General information for healthy children. It does not replace an examination by a dentist.