The extra time and effort it takes to clean and care for your braces is worth it to make sure your teeth stay healthy during and after your treatment. More importantly, the length and effectiveness of your treatment can be impacted by how well you care for your braces and your teeth.  Braces and other orthodontic appliances can trap food and other debris that, if not removed, can lead to appliance damage, cavities, or plaque buildup. To protect your braces—and your teeth—there are three simple actions you can take:  Visit your dentist. You can still have routine dental cleanings and checkups even with braces. Dentists and dental hygienists are trained to work around orthodontic appliances to remove plaque and tartar buildup. They can also apply fluoride treatments and monitor your teeth for signs of cavities or decay. Brush often. To prevent food and plaque build-up in, under, and around the components of your braces, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and rinse your mouth after every meal and every snack. Your orthodontist will also provide you with special tools to help you floss and brush in between brackets and wires, such as floss picks or threaders and interdental toothbrushes. While any soft bristle toothbrush will work, electric toothbrushes designed specifically for braces can help remove more particles from more places. Watch what you eat. Avoid very crunchy, chewy, sticky, or sugary foods that can break or pull at the appliance, get stuck in hard-to-reach places, or cause other damage to your teeth or the braces. Try to limit snacking or sugar beverages to reduce the opportunities for food to get stuck in the first place.