Oral hygiene measures are of upmost importance in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. Toothbrushing is very important for the maintenance of oral hygiene. In this study, two different types of toothbrushes (Oral B-Plus 35 and Oral B Advantage) are compared with respect to elimination of microbial plaque and salivary levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in 10 active orthodontic patients with fixed appliance (ages between 13–18). The study was carried out in three stages. In each stage, salivary samples were collected and bonded bracket index recordings were taken. Salivary flow rate changes were compared using Student t test; and salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli level changes and microbial plaque accumulation were compared by Wilcoxon test at each stage of the study. No statistically significant changes were recorded either in salivary flow rates or in salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels. Microbial plaque accumulation decreased between stages 1 and 2 (p<0.01) and between stages 1 and 3 (p<0.01). It increased between stages 2 and 3 (p<0.05). It was concluded Oral B-Plus 35 toothbrush was more effective than Oral B Advantage toothbrush, especially in upper posterior teeth. However, other oral hygiene measures such as mouth rinse can be recommended.

Keywords: Fixed appliances, oral hygiene, microbiology, toothbrush