There are now a number of orthodontic appliances which can be fitted to the teeth to realign them. The brackets remain permanently on the front or lingual (back) surfaces of the teeth for many months or even years while the teeth are being moved. Cleaning around and under braces is extremely hard, even for dexterous and committed patients, however, factor in the fact that many orthodontic patients are youngsters or teenagers and the problem can be even harder to resolve.

Make sure the mouth is healthy before having braces fitted. Use products designed for orthodontics to make cleaning easier. Visit your hygienist regularly while wearing braces.