The best way to clean fixed braces is to combine thorough toothbrushing with daily interdental cleaning. Fixed brackets and wires create additional areas where plaque and food debris collect, making it harder to clean the tooth surfaces and increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum inflammation and white spot lesions.

Brush your teeth thoroughly three times a day, including last thing at night, using fluoride toothpaste. Take time to clean above the brackets, around the brackets and below the brackets, as well as cleaning the gum line with a monotip brush and all other tooth surfaces. A VITIS Orthodontic Access Toothbrush can make it easier to reach around the brace.

Use an appropriately sized interdental brush to clean between your teeth and around and underneath the orthodontic wire and brackets. Your orthodontist, dentist or dental hygienist can show you which size and technique is right for you.

After brushing, spit out the excess toothpaste rather than rinsing with water. This helps retain fluoride on the teeth, where it can help protect against tooth decay.

During fixed brace treatment, good plaque control is particularly important because plaque can build up around brackets and contribute to demineralisation, which may appear as permanent white or brown marks after the braces are removed.

The most important feature is fluoride, because fixed braces can make plaque removal more difficult and increase the risk of tooth decay and demineralisation.

For most adults and children aged 7 and over, UK guidance recommends a toothpaste containing 1,350–1,450ppm fluoride. VITIS Orthodontic Toothpaste contains 1,450ppm fluoride.

Choose a toothpaste that you can use comfortably and consistently and concentrate on effective brushing around every bracket and along the gum line. The semi-liquid texture of VITIS Orthodontic Toothpaste helps the formulation spread around the teeth and brackets during brushing.

After brushing, spit out the excess toothpaste but don't rinse with water. This leaves more fluoride available on the tooth surfaces. Use VITIS Orthodontic Mouthwash at a different time from brushing rather than immediately afterwards.

An interdental brush should fit snugly but comfortably, without being forced. You may need more than one size to clean different areas of your mouth, and the spaces can change as your teeth move during orthodontic treatment.

With fixed braces, use the brush to clean between the teeth and around the brackets and wire, where a standard toothbrush may not reach effectively. Your orthodontist, dentist or dental hygienist can check the fit and recommend the appropriate sizes for you.

Don't force an interdental brush into a space that is too small. A brush that is too large can damage the gums, while one that is too small may not clean the area effectively.

The best toothbrush for braces is one that allows you to clean thoroughly around the brackets, wires and gum line without damaging your gums. A small-headed toothbrush with soft or medium bristles can make it easier to reach the different surfaces of teeth and braces. The VITIS Orthodontic Access brush included in the Fixed Brace Complete Kit is designed specifically to clean around braces.

Both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective. The important thing is to use the brush systematically and clean all tooth surfaces, including above and below the brackets and around the gum line. Whichever type you choose, avoid aggressive scrubbing or excessive pressure.

A toothbrush alone cannot effectively clean every area around a fixed brace, so combine brushing with appropriately sized interdental brushes for cleaning around brackets, wires and between teeth.

Teeth don't necessarily turn yellow because of the braces themselves. During fixed brace treatment, several things can make teeth appear more yellow or discoloured.

Plaque and food debris can accumulate around brackets and along the gum line, where they are harder to clean. Plaque can contribute to demineralisation and tooth decay, while some strongly coloured foods and drinks can cause surface staining.

It is also normal for teeth to have a naturally slightly yellow appearance. Tooth enamel is translucent, so the naturally yellower dentine underneath can influence the colour you see.

One of the more important changes to look out for during orthodontic treatment is white or brown patches, rather than simply yellowing. These can be signs of demineralisation, which can progress to tooth decay when plaque remains around the brackets. If these marks develop, they can become permanent.

The best way to protect the appearance and health of your teeth during treatment is to maintain meticulous plaque control: brush three times a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean carefully around every bracket and use interdental brushes to reach areas your toothbrush cannot. Limiting sugary foods and drinks also helps reduce the risk of tooth decay.