Patients should brush their teeth at least 3X times per day during orthodontic treatment. This ensures that all food and plaque are removed from around the braces after each meal. It is very important to not only brush your teeth frequently, but also to spend a full 2 minutes brushing each time. Brushing above the brackets near the gum line is the most important area to focus on. Flossing between your teeth should also be an important part of your daily routine, and purchasing a waterpik is always a great idea to help with this.