Plaque-indicating swabs highlight plaque on the teeth in a bright reddish-pink color. The nurses at my practice have found this product convenient when performing dental procedures.
They are simply cotton tips filled with plaque-disclosing solution. When the end is snapped at the red line, the fluid runs to the tip of the other end. The swab is then gently wiped over all surfaces of the teeth to highlight the plaque. It works in the same manner as the little red tablet kids are made to chew at the dentist’s. When they look in the mirror, the dentist can point out that they aren’t cleaning their teeth properly!
Vets and nurses can use these in dental consultations to show the client how much plaque is on their pet’s teeth. Usually, this plaque cannot be seen with the naked eye. This is a perfect segue into explaining the periodontal disease and the importance of oral health care in pets.
When performing prophylaxis, the swabs work like magic, showing where the plaque is on the tooth’s surface before being ultrasonically scaled. The cotton tips come in convenient single-use packaging and are easy to apply. They can be used before prophylaxis to highlight dirty teeth and after to make any missed spots visible. They enable you to perform an exceptional teeth cleaning so the client gets their money’s worth.