Why do I have to brush my teeth?
Everybody has to clean their teeth daily to remove the plaque that causes tooth decay and gum disease.

What is plaque?
Plaque is a soft, colourless, sticky film of bacteria, which is difficult to see until the coating is quite thick. It coats the surfaces of the teeth, mainly next to the gums and between the teeth.

So what if I am a poor brusher?
If plaque is not removed regularly, it can convert the foods we eat to acid. These acids eat away at the tooth enamel, eventually making holes. Plaque is also the main cause of bleeding gums and gum disease.

So if I brush my teeth thoroughly, I won't get decay?
Careful tooth brushing combined with good eating habits will give you the best chance to avoid decay. Remember that: plaque + sugar => acids, therefore tooth decay! This doesn't mean that you can't eat any sugar for the rest of your life, but it is important to limit the number of times you eat sugar during the day. Sugary foods should be kept for mealtimes because then the other food you eat can reduce the amount of acid produced. For example, a small piece of cheese at the end of the meal can help to neutralise acid around the teeth. Remember - every time sugar comes into contact with plaque it causes at least a 30-minute acid attack on the teeth. So try not to eat sugary foods in between meals.

But what if I want a snack in between meals?
If you have to eat something in between meals, make sure you choose 'safe' snacks e.g. wholemeal bread, cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, milk.

What is so bad about soft drink?
Soft drink, even the diet varieties are acidic. These means when consumed regularly, not only are they bad for your teeth but will weaken the glue that sticks the brackets to the teeth. This means more brackets coming off, which means a longer treatment time.

How can I tell if I've got gum disease?
Your gums will bleed quite easily when brushing, they can also look puffy and red, rather than a healthy pink, and they will become swollen.

How do I make sure this doesn't happen to me?
Regular, and most importantly - thorough tooth cleaning! You should clean your teeth and gums at least twice each day, morning and evening. Make sure that in the evening you get your mouth completely plaque-free. The time this takes will vary from person to person, but you should spend at least 2-3 minutes brushing.

What is the best way to clean my teeth?
Most plaque will form in the areas where the teeth meet the gums. It is particularly important to brush these areas thoroughly. To make sure you clean all of your teeth, concentrate on just one area at a time. Carefully brush the outside, inside and the top biting surfaces of the teeth until all areas have been thoroughly cleaned. The order in which the teeth are cleaned does not matter as much as the amount of time spent. Overall, tooth brushing (without orthodontic appliances) should last for about two minutes.

Position the head of you toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees to the teeth, allowing some of the brush bristles to overlap onto the gums. Make small circular strokes, pressing carefully, but firmly. You must brush every tooth and all the gum edges on the outside and the inside, not forgetting the biting surfaces.

Develop a regular pattern of brushing to ensure that no tooth surface is missed. Use a good toothbrush with a small head, comfortable handle, and soft bristles. The amount of toothpaste about the size of a pea is all that is needed on your toothbrush.

1. Start at the back, and carefully work your way around your mouth, making sure that you spend long enough on each tooth before moving onto the next one. Clean the outside of all upper teeth with small circular strokes, paying special attention to the areas where teeth and gums meet.
2. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and gums, making sure that the bristles are touching both the gums and the teeth.
3. Then move your brush to the inside of your upper teeth, clean the inside surface of all upper teeth with short gentle vibratory back and forth strokes.
4. Repeat on the outside and then the inside surfaces of all the lower teeth.
5. Cleaning the inside surfaces of the teeth can be made easier by tilting the brush.
6. Brush the biting surfaces of both the upper and lower teeth with short gentle vibratory back and forth strokes.