Disclosing Agents in Dentistry: How They Improve Oral Hygiene

Disclosing Agents

Write short note on disclosing agents.

Answer. Disclosing solutions are capable of staining bacterial deposits on the surfaces of teeth, tongue and gingiva which might otherwise be invisible to naked eye.

Disclosing agents are prepared in form of mouthrinse, wafer, chewing gum, aerosol, spray or lozenges which consists of dye and various other coloring agents.

“Understanding The Role Of Disclosing Agents In Oral Hygiene”

Purpose of Disclosing Agents

• For patient education and motivation.
• For evaluation of effectiveness of maintenance of oral hygiene by patient.
• For preparing the plaque indices.
• In research studies.

“Uses Of Disclosing Agents In Dental Care”

Properties of Disclosing Agents

• Color intensity: It should distinctly stain the deposit so that it should be in contrast with normal color of oral cavity.
• Duration of intensity: Color should not rinse of immediately by ordinary rinsing method.
• Taste: Disclosing agent should have a pleasant taste.
• Irritation to mucous membrane: If there is any allergy reported in patient from disclosing agent it should be mentioned in the permanent history record of patient.
• Diffusibility: Disclosing agent should be thin enough so that it can be applied readily to exposed teeth surface. It should also be thick enough to impart color to bacterial plaque.
• Astringent and anti-septic properties: Disclosing agents should possess both astringent and anti-septic properties.

Various Plaque Disclosing Agents

• Iodine preparation:
  • Skinner’s iodine solution
  • Diluted tincture of iodine
• Bismarck brown
• Erythrosine: FD & C Red No. 3/No. 28

“Comprehensive Overview Of Disclosing Agents And Their Benefits”

• Fast green: FD & C Green No. 3
• Fluorescein: FD & C Yellow No. 8
• Two-tone dye:
  • FD and C Green No.3
  • FD and C Red No.3
• Basic fuschin

“How Long Does It Take To See Results With Disclosing Agents”

Methods of Application

• Dry the teeth of patient by compressed air, retract cheek or tongue.
• Small swab or cotton pellet is used for application of disclosing agent to crowns of teeth.
• Patient is directed to spread the agent over all surfaces of teeth with tongue.
• Distribution of disclosing agent should be examined.
• If rinsing type of disclosing agent is used, patient is instructed to rinse with appropriate dilution of concentrated solution and the solution is swished over all the tooth surfaces.
• Disclosing agent should not be swallowed. If swallowed, then patient is asked to rinse with water.

Recent Advancement in Disclosing Agents

Recently, a toothbrush is designed which dispense plaque disclosing agent via a reservoir designed and constructed which consists of dental plaque, disclosing agent.