caries-inhibiting effect of preventive measures during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances confirmed the demineralization-inhibiting tendency of toothpaste and gel In vitro tooth cleaning efficacy of electric toothbrushes around brackets

Efficient plaque control is an important factor in the maintenance of dental health during fixed orthodontic appliance therapy (Zachrisson, 1976; Mitchell, 1992; Atack et al., 1996). These patients are at higher risk of developing white spot lesions (Zachrisson, 1976; O’Reilly and Featherstone, 1987) and gingival inflammation (Legott et al., 1984; Huser et al., 1990) due to the altered oral hygiene situation. Brackets, archwires, and other appliance components are both a focus for plaque accumulation and an obstruction to plaque removal, leading to increasing numbers of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli (Liu et al., 2004). The presence of fixed orthodontic appliances also increases the skill and effort required to maintain a good level of oral hygiene. Applications of fluoride and/or antibacterial agents are recommended to reduce these unwanted side-effects (Øgaard et al., 1980, 1988). A systematic review on the caries-inhibiting effect of preventive measures during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances confirmed the demineralization-inhibiting tendency of toothpaste and gel In vitro tooth cleaning efficacy of electric toothbrushes around