Apart from good general oral care, what else can I do to protect my teeth during orthodontic treatment?
During orthodontic treatment, the concentration of decay-causing bacteria in your mouth can double (with removable appliances) to triple (with fixed appliances), so it can be wise to have your individual risk of tooth decay assessed tested using a caries risk test (CRT). An individual preventative treatment plan for the treatment period can be worked out in conjunction with this test. Quite apart from any other special measures, it is advisable that fixed brackets should be stuck onto a fluoride-releasing protective layer rather than straight onto the tooth. This protective layer (sealing) is applied to the entire surface of the tooth immediately before the brackets are positioned. This helps to effectively protect the tooth, at least in the early stages of treatment when the patient is not yet used to their oral care regime. In order to protect the areas between the teeth, patients with fixed appliances are advised to have their teeth professionally cleaned once every three months. We
