Glossary entry
Biofilm Disclosing
Also called: Plaque disclosing
Biofilm disclosing is the use of a dye (typically erythrosine, fluorescein, or a two-tone formulation) to stain dental biofilm visible for the clinician and patient before instrumentation.
What is biofilm disclosing?
Biofilm disclosing makes dental biofilm directly visible by applying a water- or gel-based dye that adsorbs to the extracellular matrix of the biofilm. Two-tone disclosing agents differentiate newer biofilm (typically pink or magenta) from mature biofilm (blue or violet), giving the clinician a read on home-care consistency.
Disclosing is a core step in protocols that center biofilm (GBT, iTOP) because it both directs instrumentation to the biofilm that is actually present and creates a visible, patient-facing record that supports behavior change.
When is it used?
Disclosing is used at the start of most modern recall appointments and in every patient-education context where behavior change is the goal.