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Subject Area(s) | microbiology |
Intended Audience |
K-6, high school biology, independent study/science fair, introductory undergraduate microbiology |
Type | laboratory exercise |
Revision Date | March 18, 2004 |
Quantity |
Description |
1 | dental plaque disclosing agent such as Trace Disclosing Tablets which can be obtained from a local dentist. These tablets are chewed by the student and plaque is revealed as a red stain on the teeth. This stain is subsequently removed by brushing. The active ingredients in the Trace product are D and C Red #28. |
Safety Note: Please do not use iodine on students. Due to its toxicity, Iodine/Potassium iodide solutions used to reveal plaque should be left in the hands of dental professionals. Obtain nontoxic dental plaque disclosing agents such as "Trace Disclosing Agents" to reveal plaque in students.
1Quigley, GA and Hein, JW. Comparative cleaning efficacy of manual and power brushing. J Am Dent Assoc 1962; 65:26-29.
2Addy, M., M.A. Slayne and W.G. Wade, 1993. Methods for the Study of Dental Plaque Formation and Control, IN Denyer, S.P., S.P. Gorman and M. Sussman, Microbial Biofilms: Formation and Control, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.
Supported in part by the Waksman Foundation for Microbiology
Developed in collaboration with Dr. John Lennox, Education Editor, Penn State Altoona
© 1999-2008 Center for Biofilm Engineering, http://www.biofilm.montana.edu