Introduction

Plaque is a film of bacteria that coats your teeth and brace if you do not brush properly. It causes gum disease and tooth decay. An early sign of tooth decay is white marks. Cleaning your teeth and brace is needed to avoid permanent marks on your teeth when the brace is removed.

Extra brushing is needed during treatment as you’ll find it harder to keep your teeth, gums and brace clean.

Key messages

  • Brush your teeth and gums with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and after all meals.
  • Use an electric or manual toothbrush.
  • You must also use an interdental brush or single-tufted brush to clean around the brackets and behind the wires.

Brushing technique

  • Place the head of your toothbrush against your teeth.
  • Tilt the bristle tips to a 45 degree angle against the gum line.
  • Move the brush in small circular movements several times.
  • Brush above and below the brackets.
  • Brush all surfaces of every tooth.
  • Work from one side of your mouth to the other brushing every tooth.
  • Remember to clean the inside surfaces of your teeth, tilting the brush towards the gum line and make several small circular strokes.

Cleaning around brackets

                                interdental brush                                           single tufted brush

                    Interdental brush                                         Single tufted brush

Interdental brushes or single-tufted brushes help to prevent gum disease by getting rid of pieces of food and plaque from around the brackets and wires on your brace. They have small bristled heads and can reach areas where a regular toothbrush does not reach. You can buy them from pharmacies and in the supermarket.

  • Use your interdental brush twice a day in front of the mirror.
  • Move the brush gently back and forth a few times around all the brackets.
  • Work around the whole of your mouth so you do not miss any of the spaces.

Remember to change your brushes when the bristles become worn.

Toothpaste

You should use a toothpaste that contains at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) fluoride. Check the packaging to find out how much fluoride each brand contains. Your dentist may advise you or your child to use a toothpaste with a higher concentration of fluoride, if you need it.

Mouthwash

Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride once a day to help prevent tooth decay. Use mouthwash at a different time of day to brushing, such as after lunch.

Look after your teeth and braces! Otherwise, your braces may be removed early even if treatment is not complete.

Useful websites

British Orthodontic Society – Patient Information Leaflets

NCIC Orthodontics

NHS - How to keep your teeth clean

Contact details

Orthodontic Department

Cumberland Infirmary

Newtown Road

Carlisle

CA2 7HY

Tel: 01228 814225

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302