Braces consist of wires and brackets attached to your teeth. This attachment requires additional care to prevent food and plaque build-up and keep your mouth healthy during treatment. Thorough Oral Hygiene Routine Excellent hygiene is necessary to minimize food and plaque build-up that could cause tooth decay or gum disease. It isn’t essential to brush your teeth more often, but patients should take more time to brush and floss thoroughly every day, especially after eating. Avoidance of Certain Foods Sticky, hard, and overly crunchy foods can potentially damage the wire and brackets. In addition, gum, taffy, hard fruits and veggies, popcorn, and corn on the cob can stick to and bend the brackets and wires.