Robert A. Klement, DDS
Robert A. Klement, DDS will have a short bio with brief information on their background. Please check back soon or view the link below for more information.
Find Us:
1310 River Run Dr.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Find us
Patient Library
Find helpful information in our digital library.
Archive:
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
Tags
- celebrity smiles (64)
- gum disease (6)
- periodontal disease (2)
- dental injury (8)
- mouthguards (7)
- oral health (24)
- oral hygiene (32)
- pediatric dentistry (7)
- teeth whitening (3)
- water (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (8)
- bridge (1)
- porcelain veneers (3)
- veneers (1)
- crown (2)
- tooth pain (4)
- root canal treatment (1)
- mouthguard (2)
- dental injuries (2)
- orthodontics (3)
- braces (5)
- clear orthodontic aligners (1)
- dental implants (17)
- smoking (1)
- oral cancer (2)
- composite resins (1)
- tooth decay (7)
- crowns (9)
- eating disorders (1)
- dental cleanings (1)
- athletic mouthguards (2)
- tmd (1)
- tmj disorders (3)
- tmj (1)
- bad breath (1)
- wisdom teeth (5)
- thumb sucking (2)
- toothpaste (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- removable dentures (1)
- cracked mouth (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- dentures (1)
- bonding (2)
- mouth rash (1)
- anesthesia (1)
- sugar (1)
- nutrition (4)
- chipped tooth (4)
- teeth wear (1)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- oral sedation (1)
- orthodontic treatment (3)
- retainers (1)
- jaw pain (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- flossing (2)
- fillings (2)
- missing tooth (1)
- x-rays (1)
- root canal (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- removable partial denture (2)
- retainer (2)
- bone grafting (1)
- partial denture (1)
- dental care (1)
- aspirin (1)
- dental visit (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- mouth sores (1)
- bridgework (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- extractions (1)
- bulimia (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- fluoride (1)
Categories:
Test You're Brushing and Flossing Success with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
Brushing and flossing your teeth provides a lot of benefits, including a brighter smile and fresher breath. But the primary benefit—and ultimate goal—is removing dental plaque. This biofilm of bacteria and food remnants on tooth and gum surfaces is the number one cause for dental disease.
Brushing and flossing can effectively keep plaque under control. Unfortunately, plaque can be a stubborn foe, hiding in areas easily missed if you're not thorough enough.
So how do you know you're doing a good job brushing and flossing? One quick way is to use your tongue or dental floss to feel for any grittiness, a possible sign of remaining plaque. Ultimately, your dentist or hygienist can give you the best evaluation of your hygiene efforts during your three or six-month checkup.
But there's another way to find out more definitively how well you're removing plaque in between dental visits: a plaque disclosing agent. These over-the-counter products contain a dye solution that stains plaque so it stands out from clean tooth surfaces.
A disclosing agent, which can come in the form of tablets, swabs or a liquid, is easy to use. After brushing and flossing, you apply the agent according to the product's directions. The dye reacts with plaque to stain it a distinct color. You may also find products with two-tone dyes that stain older and newer plaque different colors to better gauge your overall effectiveness.
You then examine your teeth in the bathroom mirror, looking especially for patterns of missed plaque. For example, if you see dyed plaque running along the gum line, you'll know you need to concentrate your hygiene there.
After observing what you can do to improve your future efforts, you can then brush and floss your teeth to remove as much of the dyed plaque as you can. The staining from the dye is temporary and any remaining will fade over a few hours.
Using a disclosing agent regularly could help you improve your overall hygiene technique and reduce your risk of disease. Ask your dentist for recommendations on products.
If you would like more information on improving your oral hygiene, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Plaque Disclosing Agents.”